Wetland Science, EES-386, 4 credits
**Next Offered Spring 2011**
Course description
An examination of the biophysical structure of wetlands and the factors controlling wetland structure and function. Emphasis on the responses and feedbacks of wetlands to natural and human-induced environmental variability. Topics include: wetland classification and delineation; the origin and development of wetlands; biotic adaptations to the wetland environment; wetland hydrology and biogeochemistry; wetland vegetation dynamics; and wetland restoration. Integrated activities with ES-4xx (Wetland Policy and Valuation) provide an interdisciplinary exploration of science and policy issues involved in wetland management. Lectures, laboratories, applied activities, and field trips. Prerequisite: EES 152 or consent of instructor.
Instructor
Bob Booth, 114 Williams Hall
Schedule
Offered every other spring semester (even years).
Text
Mitsch & Gosselink. 2007. Wetlands. John Wiley and Sons.
Example schedule (Spring 2008) (This course is currently being revised to include an interdisciplinary exploration of science and policy issues, primarily in the form of activities with ES-4xx (Wetland Policy and valuation) so some of the details and organization will change the next time it is offered)
DATE |
TOPICS |
READINGS * |
1/16 T (Lec) |
INTRODUCTION TO WETLANDS
|
M&G: Ch 1-4 |
1/18 R (Lec) |
WETLAND LAWS & WETLAND FUNCTIONS |
M&G p. 571-591 |
1/22 M (Lab) |
Go over research papers, discussion sessions, etc…
|
|
1/23 T (Lec) |
WETLAND CLASSIFICATION, DELINEATION, & MAPPING
|
M&G, Ch 21 |
1/25 R (Lec) |
WETLAND HYDROLOGY
|
M&G, Ch 5 |
1/30 M (Lab) |
Wetland habitats and plant communities: Virtual Wetland Habitat Assessment
|
|
1/30 T (Lec) |
PEATLAND HYDROLOGY
|
M&G, Ch 5
|
2/01 R (Lec) |
WETLAND BIOGEOCHEMISTRY I
|
M&G, Ch 6 |
2/05 M (Lab) |
Wetland analysis using GIS
|
|
2/06 T (Lec) |
WETLAND BIOGEOCHEMISTRY II
|
M&G, Ch 6 |
2/08 (Lec) |
Literature Discussion #1: The Florida Everglades : hydrology, nutrient cycling, and restoration (Discussion leader: Bob)
|
Papers |
2/12 (Lab) |
Adaptations of wetland vegetation to a wet and peaty existence
|
|
2/13 (Lec) |
ADAPTATIONS OF WETLAND BIOTA
|
M&G, Ch 7 |
2/15 (Lec) |
COASTAL WETLANDS – SALT MARSHES & MANGROVE SWAMPS
|
M&G, Ch 9, 11 |
2/19 (Lab) |
Exam 1
|
|
2/20 (Lec) |
No class
|
|
2/22 (Lec) |
Literature Discussion #2: Ecology of pocosin wetlands of the southeastern United States . (Discussion leader: Valerie)
|
Papers |
2/26 (Lab) |
Go over exams. Introduction to lab project. Testate amoeba biology and identification.
|
|
2/27 (Lec) |
FRESHWATER MARSHES
|
M&G, Ch 10, 12 |
3/01 (Lec) |
Literature Discussion #3: Isolated wetlands and the conservation of biodiversity (Chris)
|
Papers |
SPRING BREAK |
|
|
3/12 (Lab) |
Preparation for Tannersville Bog study
|
|
3/13 (Lec) |
PEATLAND ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABILITY |
M&G, Ch 13 |
3/15 (Lec) |
Literature Discussion #4: New Orleans coastal wetland restoration: problems and engineering solutions. (Discussion leader: Sara)
|
Papers |
3/18 (Sunday) |
Field trip to Tannersville Bog rescheduled due to snow
|
|
3/19 |
Tannersville Bog study: processing and analysis of samples
|
|
3/20 (Lec) |
WETLAND DEVELOPMENT |
M&G, Ch 8 |
3/22 (Lec) |
Literature Discussion #5: Sphagnum ecology in bogs and poor fens, with an emphasis on nitrogen relations (Discussion leader: Shanshan)
|
Papers |
3/24 (Saturday) |
Field trip to Tannersville Bog
|
|
3/26 (Lab) |
Exam 2
|
|
3/27 (Lec) |
FRESHWATER SWAMPS & RIPARIAN WETLANDS
|
M&G, Ch. 11, 14, 15 |
3/29 (Lec) |
Literature Discussion #6: Endangered species conservation: wetlands and beyond (Discussion leader: Ellyn)
|
Papers |
4/02 (Lab) |
Tannersville Bog Study: data collection and analysis
|
|
4/03 (Lec) |
WETLAND-ENVIRONMENT FEEDBACKS
|
C, Ch 9, handouts |
4/05 (Lec) |
Literature Discussion #7: Ecology and conservation of the Pantanal wetlands in South America . (Discussion leader: Sarah)
|
Papers |
4/09 (Lab) |
Tannersville Bog Study: data collection.
|
|
4/10 |
HUMAN IMPACTS ON WETLANDS & WETLAND RESTORATION
|
M&G, Ch 17, 19 C, Ch 10 |
4/12 (Lec) |
No class – Gast inauguration symposium
|
|
4/14 (Sat) |
Field trip to Tannersville Bog to collect environmental data
|
|
4/16 (Lab) |
Tannersville Bog study: Overview of multivariate ordination techniques. Analysis of data.
|
|
4/17 (Lec) |
Wetland management and restoration: ethical and scientific issues associated with the restoration of the Florida Everglades (Joint class activity with ES/PS 106)
|
|
4/19 (Lec) |
TREATMENT WETLANDS
|
M&G, Ch 20 |
4/22 (Sunday) |
Field trip – Quakertown Swamp
|
|
4/23 (Lab) |
Presentations on research paper topics
|
|
4/24 (Lec) |
Literature Discussion #8: Nutrient limitation in mangrove swamps (Discussion leader: Rich)
|
|
4/26 (Lec) |
THE FUTURE OF WETLANDS
|
|
5/03 |
8-11:00am, Final Exam
|
|