This page has the Lecture and Discussion Topics, along with associated readings.  The Field Trip Schedule and Miscellaneous Links are available, as are Relevant References and the Science II Prairie site.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lecture/Discussion Topics and Readings 2008
Readings are on electronic reserve and are accessible from ISU computers. You can search by title, by
author, or page through the alphabetized list.

 

 

 

 

Aug. 27  

Introduction, Definitions

Readings:  Ch. 1 in Falk et al. text, Ecological Restoration and the Conservation of Biodiversity (Jordan), Meaning of Restoration, Gardenification of Nature (Janzen)

Aug. 29  

Discussion: Restoration Concepts and Philosophy

Sept. 3  

Prairie Restoration:  Goals, Plans, Planting

Readings:  Ch. 2 in Thompson text, Ch. 10 in Falk et al. text, Iowa Ecotype Project; Enhancing Genetic Diversity (Smith), DNR's Native Plant Seed Farm Saga (Weber), Iowa Prairie Rebirth (Drobney)

Sept. 5  

Discussion:  Goals of Restoration/Prairie Planting

Sept. 10  

Weeds, Community Dynamics

Readings:  Ch. 3, 5 in Falk et al. text

Sept. 12 

Discussion:  Weeds/Community Dynamics

Sept. 17  

Managing Restored Prairie

Readings:  Tools for Diversity; Fire, Grazing and Mowing on Tallgrass Prairies (Davison), Establishing Tallgrass Prairie on Pastureland (Jackson), Bison Prime Prairie Biodiversity (Kaiser), Burning Prairie for Butterflies (Schultz) is OPTIONAL because of modeling emphasis

Sept. 19  

Discussion:  Managing Restored Prairie

Sept. 24  

Savanna Restoration (Diagram of Gradients)

Readings:  Carving up the Woods (Mendelson), Restoring Oak Ecosystems (Packard)

Sept. 26  

Discussion:  Savanna 

Oct. 1  

Forest Restoration

Readings:  Ch. 3 in Thompson text, Tropical Dry Forests (Janzen), How to Grow a Tropical Park (Janzen), Tropical Forests -- Log 'em or Leave 'em? (Chazdon) 

Oct. 3  

Discussion:  Forest Restoration

Oct. 8  

Midterm Examination (material through Oct. 3)

Oct. 10  

TBA

Oct. 15  

Rivers and Streams (The Ultimate Restoration Step, Iowa's Wetland and Riparian Areas)

Reading:  Recipe for River Recovery? (Baringa)

Oct. 17  

Discussion:  Rivers and Streams

Oct. 22  

Lake and Wetland Restoration

Readings:  Ch. 9 in Falk et al., Ch. 4 in Thompson, Discussion of Wetlands, Restored Wetlands Flunk Test (Malakoff), Biological Control of Purple Loosestrife (Malecki)

Oct. 24  

Discussion:  Lakes/Wetlands

Oct. 29  

Restoring Prairie Wildlife

Readings:  Tallgrass Prairie Book Chapter on Birds (Byre), Comments on This and Other Animal Chapters in Packard and Mutel, Diversity and abundance of Springtails in Native and Restored Prairies (Brand)

Oct. 31  

Discussion:  Prairie Animals

Nov. 5  

Restoring Animal Populations

Readings:  Case Studies, Including Iowa Restorations (Little), Translocation; what leads to success? (Little), Both of these articles on Iowa reintroductions are OPTIONAL because the files are huge

Nov. 7  

Discussion:  Animal Restoration

Nov. 12  

Restoring Endangered Species

Readings:  Endangered SpeciesCalifornia Condors

Nov. 14  

Midterm Examination (material through Nov 7)

Nov. 19  

Genetic and Population Viability Considerations

Readings:  Ch. 2, 4 in Falk et al. text, MVP Overview, Minimum Population Sizes for Species Conservation (Shaffer)

Nov. 21  

Discussion:  Minimum Viable Population Size

Nov. 26, 28  

Thanksgiving Break

Dec.3  

Restoring and Managing Ecosystems

Readings:  Bold Plan to Re-create a Long-lost Siberian Ecosystem (Stone), Bringing Back the Everglades (Culotta), Plan to Quench the Everglades' Thirst (Enserink)

Dec. 5  

Discussion:  Ecosystem Management

Dec. 10  

Restoration challenges

Reading:  Restoration Ecology: Living With the Prime Directive

Dec. 12  

Discussion of Restoration Ecology

Dec. 15  

Final Examination (tentative): 7:30-9:30 a.m. 

 

 

 

 

 

URL: http://www.nrem.iastate.edu/class/assets/nrem535/home.html
Last updated 25 August, 2008
Send comments on this web site to Rolf Koford.