COURSE SYLLABUS
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Bi 162.1: Ecology (Field and Laboratory Component) |
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Section: A & B |
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Department of Biology, School of Science and Engineering |
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Semester: Summer SY 2002-2003 |
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Schedule: MTF 0900-1300 SECB107 |
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Instructor: ANNETTE P. TAMINO |
A. Course Description:
(CHED STANDARD)
General Ecology laboratory is a two-unit course on the biology of the ecosystems. It consists of 12 laboratory hours per week for five weeks. It deals with the basic principles and methodologies pertaining to population and community structure and the assessment of environment quality.
(INSTRUCTORS EXPLANATION)
This field course introduces students to quantitative ecological methods as an objective way of describing ecological distribution and function. The biologist should be able to quantitatively describe distribution patterns in differential spatial scales. He/She must be able to assess responses of populations and communities to environmental disturbances.
B. Course Objectives:
At the end of the summer course, students should have familiarized themselves with the basic ecological laboratory procedures and be able to apply such in a real ecosystem setting.
Value aims:
1. To increase the student’s awareness of the place of humans in nature
2. To Help the student realize our special power to alter the biosphere and special responsibility for its health
3. To help the student develop respect and nurturing of mother nature
C. Course Outline and Time Frame:
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WEEK |
THEME |
ACTIVITIES |
DATE |
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1 |
Describing Distribution and diversity |
Orientation, Class organizations, schedules (Statistics review lecture and quiz) |
April 25 (F) |
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EXERCISE 1: Estimating Abundance & Diversity |
April 28 (M) |
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EXERCISE 2: Determining Distribution in relation to form and function |
April 29 (T) |
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EXERCISE 3: Fragmented Urban Ecosystems: Correlating niche specificity with abundance, distribution and diversity indices |
May 2 (F) |
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2 |
Aquatic &Terrestrial Ecosystems: Functions and Productivity |
EXERCISE 4: Title: The Nature of Freshwater & Terrestrial Ecosystems (Physical & Chemical Characteristics of Water and Soil) |
May 5 (M) |
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EXERCISE 5: The Marine Aquarium: Nutrient Budget and Ecological Succession |
May 6 (T) |
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EXERCISE 6: Productivity of Aquatic Ecosystems (Pond and Marine Aquarium) |
May 9 (F) |
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3 |
Response of Ecosystems to Stress |
EXERCISE 7: Ecotoxicology: Brine Shrimp Survival Start exercise on May 9(F) End results on May 15 (Using Biological Indicators lecture) |
May 13 (M) |
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EXERCISE 8: Sustainability and Conservation Ecology (Film & Lecture Component) |
May 14 (T) |
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FIELD EXERCISES AT DLSU MARINE STATION, MATUOD, BATANGAS Choose 1 topic/group: 1. Grazing & clearing the lowland forest 2. Coastal land transformation and the role of mangroves 3. Coral bleaching & coral reef changes |
May 17-19 (48 hrs) |
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4 |
Ecology on the field |
FIELD EXERCISE AT LIGPO ISLAND, LEMERY, BATANGAS Required: Survey on Coral reefs Choose 2nd topic: 1. Bird species diversity and their habitats 2. Plant Diversity & Abundance in a Coastal Mountain |
May 23-25 (48 hrs) |
IMPORTANT DATES:
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April 28 (M) |
Submit paper on testing hypothesis and statistics review |
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April 30 (W) |
Submit Exercise 1 |
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May 2 (F) |
Submit Exercise 2 |
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May 5 (M) |
Submit Exercise 3 |
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May 6 (T) |
1. Exam 1 Coverage: Hypothesis testing, Abundance, Diversity & Diversity indices, Distribution, Niche Specialization 2. Get two waivers for fieldwork |
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May 9 (F) |
1. Submit exercise 4 2. Start exercise on Brine shrimp survival |
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May 12(M) |
1. Submit fieldtrip waivers 2. Checklist of materials for fieldwork at Matuod, Batangas 3. Submit draft of reports on exercise 5 & 6 (no draft no exam 2 the next day) |
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May 13 (T) |
1. Exam 2 Oral reports on Exercise 5 & 6 (10 minutes reporting) Answering questions regarding these exercises 2. Check-out of materials and equipment for fieldwork |
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May 15 (Th) |
Final observation for brine shrimp survival Clean up at the laboratory! |
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May 16 (F) |
ETD: Batangas: 6AM Pack only what’s necessary! |
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May 18 (Sun) |
ETA: Manila: 12NN |
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May 19(M) |
1. Library work on Review paper for Ecology 2. Organize and analyze field data |
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May 20 (T) |
1. Exam 3 Coverage: Problem solving on assessing environmental stress 2. Submit report on Exercise 7 3. Check additional materials to bring on field |
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May 23(F) |
ETD: Batangas: 6AM |
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May 25 (Sun) |
ETA: Manila: 12NN |
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May 26(M) |
1. Return all materials and equipment borrowed 2. Present Matuod report (bring draft of paper) |
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May 27 (T) |
1. Present Ligpo, report (bring draft of paper) 2. Evaluation of Exercise module used |
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May 28 (W) |
Submit revised fieldwork reports Submit review paper in ecology |
SOME DETAILS
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TOPIC |
TOOLS/SKILLS/DETAILS |
OBJECTIVES |
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Hypothesis formulation and testing |
Statistics, SPSS, Excel use
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Review statistical concepts and how they relate to research questions in ecology |
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Estimating abundance and diversity |
Quadrat and transect method use |
Relate effectivity of using different quadrat sizes, how this affects estimates of mean, SD, SE along with proper levels of replication |
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Distribution in relation to form and function |
Review of Taxonomy Laboratory animals (corals and vertebrates) Field organisms (soil organisms) Use of sieving materials |
Relate form and function with distribution and kind of habitats |
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Niche specializations |
Sampling efforts Interpreting Biodiversity indices Butterfly exercise |
Correlating niche with abundance, distribution & diversity |
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Water quality analysis |
Use of field equipment (pH meter, salinometer) Winkler titration for BOD Test for Coliforms (theoretical) |
Contamination and detection of pollution in water sources What affects dissolved oxygen in water column and its implications |
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Soil quality analysis |
Chemistry laboratory skills |
Knowing pH, free CaCO3, organic C, ready absorbable nitrogen and its implications |
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Ecological Succession |
Estimates of plant types, cover, physical conditions in the Ateneo campus
Effect of grazing in a lowland hill vegetation |
Multi-use of environments affect succession rates |
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Productivity in Aquatic Environments |
Use of plankton net Plankton cell counts using Sedgewich Rafter method or haemocytometer |
Role of Planktonic organisms in productivity of aquatic environments along with physico-chemical conditions that may alter their abundance and vertical migration |
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Mangrove ecology |
Species types, Biodiversity assessment |
Roles that mangroves play in supporting biodiversity and soil erosion to sea |
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Bioindicators |
Coral identification Sea urchin abundance Endemic & Endangered Birds |
Using various organisms as measures of drastic disturbances in ecosystems |
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Zonation |
Upper, middle and lower rocky intertidal
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1. Factors causing the zonation and adaptation of gastropods in a rocky intertidal zone |
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Reef fish groups and lifestyle |
Reef fishes and Habitats |
Fish behaviour (territoriality, solitary, shooling); feeding ecology; color patterns (camouflage, counter shading, mimicy) |
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Bird groups and lifestyle |
Birds and habitats |
Same as above |
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Species diversity and habitat partitioning |
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Species diversity index used in habitat assessment/ comparison of bioenergetics/ resource partitioning among intertidal fish and birds |
D. Required Readings:
* To be given as handouts
Adalla, R et al. (2002) A Survey of Butterfly Abundance and Distribution at the Ateneo de Manila Campus and Notes on their Habitat Association, unpublished
Umaly, R and MLV Cuvin (1988) Limnology Laboratory and Field Guide. Physico-chemical factors. Biological Factors, National Bookstore
E. Suggested Readings:
*Check all available field guides in the Rizal Library
* Check available ecology journals
F. Course Requirements:
Laboratory exams (2) (including 10 quizzes) 35%
Field Reports and 35%
Laboratory reports 20%
Critiques of scientific paper in ecology 10%
Note:
1. All laboratory and field reports must be submitted in scientific paper format
2. All laboratory and field reports must be turned over during the due date. Late reports warrant a demerit of 5 points/day.
3. Organizational Information:
a. Grouping: 5 members
b. Elect a group leader who will be the instructor’s field deputies and will be accountable for their group members.
c. Elect a Class safety officer
d. Elect a Class Logistics officer
G. Grading System:
H. Classroom Policies: Please check your student handbook for this
1. Two (2) lateness= 1 cut, 2 cuts= dropped without permission
2. No make-up exams. If you missed an exam, you get no credit (0) for that exam.
3. Clean and organize your own workspace.
4. Return all materials borrowed at the appointed dates.
5. Follow specific protocols and guidelines for safety purposes
6. No waiver = no fieldtrip = incomplete standing
I. Consultation Hours
Wednesday 8-12
Thursday 8-12
Room 111
Email: atamino@ateneo.edu
All others by appointment