EVL185 - Foundations of Field Ecology

Subject Title
Foundations of Field Ecology

Subject Description
 
Recognition of the need to restore natural ecosystems and the movement to do so are becoming well established. Public parks and conservation areas, municipal green spaces, schoolyards, private gardens, and yards are all experiencing this naturalization. Re-establishing native plant communities, natural biological processes, and biological diversity are at the core of the movement.
 
This subject provides the foundation in ecological fieldwork necessary to plan and implement ecological restoration projects in any of the mentioned green spaces and gardens. It develops foundation knowledge of native plant species used in naturalized landscape design, native plant community restoration, and wildlife community conservation. It develops knowledge of the process of community involvement, organizational partnerships, and funding sources for ecological restoration projects. This subject also begins the process of introducing students to the concepts of the Ecosystem Approach to project planning, Ecological Goods and Services, Low Impact Development, Ecological Land Classification, and Geographic Information systems (GIS) mapping.
 

Credit Status
One Credit

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

1.         Explain the need for and purpose of ecological restoration.
 
2.         Explain the importance of biodiversity for ecosystems and conservation.
 
3.         Recognize plant groups based on structural characteristics
 
4.         Explain the ecological value of the Oak Ridges Moraine as a bioregion, and recognize the major flora and fauna of the region
 
5.         Recognize the major structural characteristics of populations and employ simple population estimate techniques
 
6.         Perform a basic assessment (and monitoring) of a landscape, and use metrics to determine the extent to which it has been degraded
 
7.         Explain the impact of selected introduced species on native/indigenous species, with a focus on those impacting the Oak Ridges Moraine system 
 
8.         Explain how ecosystem integrity is restored through native plant use.
 
9.         Explain the concept and importance of ecological land use zoning. 
 
10.       Propose a plan for a restoration project.
 
11.       Explain how various funding sources contribute to large ecological restoration processes.
 
12.       Explain the importance of community involvement and long-term community stewardship initiatives to successful restoration projects.

Essential Employability Skills
    •  Locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and information systems.

    •  Show respect for diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others.

    •  Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.

    •  Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.

    •  Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences.

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Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

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