Syllabus

Spring 2006

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Course Description: The objective of this course is to gain an understanding and synthesize materials gleaned from a broad range of ecosystems across western North America . We emphasize breadth of knowledge and integration of materials into an understanding of the physical, biological, cultural, and sometimes political interactions within and between ecosystems. This synthesis approach varies from the more common narrow foci of specialists who concentrate on specific relationships.

Objectives:

Gain an understanding of the biological, physical, cultural, and political constraints that have shaped and continue to shape ecosystems.
Develop an ability to synthesize information and gain a fundamental understanding of the drivers that dictate land cover distribution.
Understand that humans are an integral part of the ecosystem and that pre-Columbian populations have been driving ecosystem characteristics in North America far longer than commonly thought by the lay person.

Additional Readings : Assigned readings will be announced at least one week before class. These must be read prior to class. All readings will be posted to the class web site and will be available only through on-campus computers.

Grades: Grades at the end of the course would be typically assigned as: A (93 to 100% of total possible points); A- (90 to 92.9%); B+ (87 to 89.9%); B (83 to 86.9%); B- (80 to 82.9%); C+ (77 to 79.9%); C (73 to 76.9%); C- (70 to 72.9%); D (60 to 69.9%); and F (<59.9%). Grades will be based on two mid-term exams (100 pts each) a final exam (200 pts.), and quizzes (10 pts each). Quizzes will be unannounced.

Tests will include material from lectures and assigned readings. Active and enthusiastic participation in lecture discussions is important and expected. We will augment grades for individuals demonstrating strong participation.

Course Web-Site: http://www.gis.usu.edu/~doug/frws3800 . Lectures and materials handed out in class will be available through this site. While class lecture notes will be posted to the web, students will be required to take lecture notes in class! Some lectures may not be posted immediately prior to a test.

Accommodation: Utah State University is required by law to help disabled students participate fully in all programs, activities and services. If you have a disability that requires note-takers, interpreters for the deaf, extended testing time, etc., tell us or contact the Disability Resource Center (DRC) directly. They're in room 101 of the University Inn (797-2444, discenter@cc.usu.edu ). Course material can be provided in alternative formats such as large print, audio, diskette, or Braille in cooperation with the DRC.

Disabilities must be documented by the DRC preferably during the first week of the course. Any requests for special considerations relating to attendance, instruction, taking of examinations, etc., must be discussed with and approved by the instructors.

Ethics: All students are expected to perform in accordance with implicit and explicit honor codes of the College of Natural Resources and Utah State University . Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated. Students caught violating this honor code will fail the class. To learn more about USU's Honor System, see http://www1.usu.edu/aia/ACADEMIC/syllabusres.cfm. To learn more about the CNR plagiarism policy see http://www.cnr.usu.edu/academichonesty/PLAGARIS.pdf

Important Dates - FRWS-3800, Spring 2006

Class Begins	January 9
M.L. King, Jr. Day (no class)	January 16
Last Day to Drop Courses (see details in USU's Schedule of Classes)	January 30
Exam I	February 10
Presidents Day (Monday Class on Tuesday)	February 20
Exam II	March 10
Spring Break	March 13-17
Classes End	April 28
Final Exam (7:30am-9:20am)	May 1

Schedule of Lectures and Reading Assignments

Date	Topics	Readings
Jan 9 ,11,13	Introduction to Wildlands and Ecosystems	Johnson pp. 1-21, 57-73 West pp. 321-330; Knight pp. 201-211
Jan 16 , 18, 20	Introduction to Regions; Tundras in general	Johnson pp. 21-24 Knight pp. 201-211
Jan 23, 25, 27	Alpine Trundra
Jan 30, Feb 1, 3	Forests in general; Regional Forests; Subalpine Forest	Johnson pp. 24-31 Knight pp. 153-192 U.S. Forest Service 1993
Feb 6, 8, 10	Montane Forests; EXAM 1	Clary 1987
Feb 13, 15, 17	Woodlands in General; P-J Woodlands	West 1999 Gottfried and Pieper 2000 Knight pp. 135-140 Davis 1990
Feb 21 , 22, 24	Chaparral; Mountain Browse	Lauver et al. 1989 Johnson pp. 31-32
Feb 27, March 1, 3	Grasslands in general; Grasslands of the Great Plains	Knight pp. 67-89
March 6, 8	Tall Grass Prairie; Shandhills Prairie EXAM 2	Lauenroth et al., 1994 Sims & Risser, 2000
March 13, 15, 17	Spring Break
March 20, 22, 24	Northern Mixed Prairie; Southern Mixed Prairie; Shortgrass Prairie	Johnson pp. 35-37
March 27, 29, 31	Palouse Prairie; Shrub Steppe; Sagebrush Steppe	Knight pp. 90-107 West pp. 413-421 BLM 2002
April 3, 5, 7	Sagebrush Steppe; Galleta - 3 Awn Sagebrush Steppe; Deserts in general	West pp. 413-421 West 1995 Johnson pp. 39-43
April 10, 12, 14	Deserts in general; North American Deserts; Sagebrush Semi-Desert	West pp. 331-349 and 375-397
April 17, 19, 21	Salt Desert Shrub; Blackbrush	Johnson pp. 47-50 West pp. 399-411
April 24, 26, 28	Creosote Bush; Future of Intermountain Region	Johnson pp. 74-86