Ecosystems of California Version 11 Fall 2019 Integrative Biology 157LF
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Ecosystems of California version 11 Fall 2019 Integrative Biology 157LF Cover Photos: Leonie Walderich ’19 (Fall ’18 157LF student) Donald Culross Peattie For until one knows the name of a tree one cannot ask questions about it or trace it in books of reference, or indeed even think of it clearly. Named, it is a good companion throughout the days of high holiday in Western glory spots, serving to keep more truly alive the memories of that happiness. With a little study and familiarity it becomes possible to identify many sorts even from trains and planes, and such recognition richly peoples the scene, adding a deep new perspective. Willis Linn Jepson The natural surroundings of Californians are singularly rich and varied. A scientific interest in at least certain features of our natural environment, as for example the trees, shrubs, or herbaceous plants, directs one to useful and agreeable intellectual activity. Accurate and detailed knowledge of even a small area lifts the possessor out of the commonplace and enables him directly or indirectly to contribute to the well-being and happiness of his community. Wade Davis on “Adventure” An adventure can occur on many different planes. There are spiritual adventures, physical adventures, geographic adventures, adventures of the heart. But for something to be adventurous, it has to be unpredictable. There’s a quote from Kafka in which he says something like ’from a certain point onward there’s no turning back. That is the place that must be reached.’ I think that’s true of all aspects of life, whether it’s the exploration of a river, a mountain climb, a passage through a jungle, or in journeys of the heart and the mind. George Gallo, Midnight Run (1988) John: Where are we going, Jack? Jack: We’ll find out when we get there. IB 157 LF Ecosystems of California Fall 2019 Instructor: Paul Fine, 4014 VLSB, ([email protected]), 642-7690 Lecture and Discussion: W 2-4pm, 3007 VLSB Field Trips: F 9am-5pm, meet at West Circle “loading zone” near VLSB Book: Trees and Shrubs of California by Stuart and Sawyer (2001, UC Press) Reader: Available at Copy Central on 2411 Telegraph Ave. Description: The ecosystems of California will be studied from both an ecological and historical biogeographical perspective. Our focus will be on the terrestrial plant communities found in California. We will learn the evolutionary and biogeographical histories of California's plant lineages, and the dynamic nature of plant communities in California over geological time as well as over the past several thousand years of human history. We will investigate the relative importance of the biotic and abiotic factors that determine which species are found in which environments. We will consider the plant traits that are associated with turnover in species composition along environmental gradients. Along the way, we will learn how to identify 130-150 species of plants native to California (mostly trees; but also other dominant plants from the non-forest biomes). There will be Friday field trips and several weekend field trips. Students will learn how to take detailed field notes and will be tested with field practicals (plant identification) and written exams (about the ecology and comparative biogeography that has determined the "assembly" of the flora of California). Students will learn how to collect, press, dry, and mount plant specimens and use the Herbarium. Lectures: Wednesday lectures will last approximately one hour, and will give context for the field trips as well as introductory material related to forest ecology, biogeography and the evolution of the California flora. For the remaining time, we will discuss lecture material, and give information about upcoming field trips and organize rides, meals, and other logistics. Some weeks we will use some of this time to visit the University and Jepson Herbaria and Museum of Paleontology. Field Trips: All field trips are mandatory. We will have 9 day-trips and four weekend field trips (and possibly one overnight field final). Our goal is to see (almost) all of the native trees of the California Floristic Province in the field and learn how to identify them – in addition to many of the dominant shrubs and other important plants. We will accomplish this by learning key “sterile characters”; leaves, bark, growth form etc. – instead of focusing on flowers and fruits which are not always present on the plant. We will learn 10-13 species of plants per day per field trip and each field trip will include a quiz. We will also learn to take detailed notes regarding the natural history of the vegetation at each site which will be turned in for credit. Quizzes and Field exams will consist of plant identification and natural history notes. During the weekend field trips we will stay either in bunkhouses (UC Reserves) or camp in tents. We will bring and prepare our own food. Grading: Lecture Midterm: 10% Lecture Final: 20% Field Quizzes (11): 35% Natural History Notes: (11): 10% Independent Project: 10% Field Final: 15% (Taking this class Pass/Not Pass is NOT RECOMMENDED). Special Notes: 1) If you are enrolled in this class, check the syllabus and field trip schedule carefully and plan accordingly. All field trips are mandatory and they cannot be made up at an earlier or later date. The ONLY valid reason to not attend a field trip is if you have a mandatory field trip for another class during the same date. If this applies to you, please contact Paul to make arrangements. 2) You MUST attend the first two lectures and first field trip and sign the attendance forms to remain enrolled in this class. The first overnight field trip is Friday, September 6- Sunday, September 8, and only students who have attended class the previous three class periods will be allowed to participate. 3) We make our best effort for Friday field trips to leave on time at 9:10 am and return by 5:00pm. However, sometimes despite our best intentions, we return late due to traffic or other unforeseen complications. I estimate that this will occur 1-3 times during the semester. It is very important that all students have a good attitude about occasional late returns on Fridays. If you have an extracurricular activity that is important to you on Fridays such that you always will be worried about returning to campus on time, I suggest that you either plan ahead to sometimes be late or drop the course and save yourself the stress. 4) We make our best effort for weekend field trips to return on Sunday or Monday before 5 PM. However, some of the field trips involve large distances and road conditions are always unpredictable. You must be prepared for an occasional late return. 5) The Año Nuevo Field trip on November 15 will depart at 8am. Please make arrangements with your instructor if you are taking a Friday 8am class. 5) The Veterans Day field trip to Southern California/ Channel Islands will begin on November 7 (Time TBA), and may require you to miss your classes on Thursday, November 7th. Please make arrangements as soon as possible with your other instructors. 6) Note that the Field Final is scheduled for December 6th and may involve an overnight stay. This will include a final dinner and award ceremony. We will return to campus either late at night on the 6th or in the afternoon on Saturday, December 7th. 7) Attending class on Wednesday is required in order to obtain information about the upcoming field trip and organizing the driving, the food, and other logistics. 8) This course has materials fee of approximately $220 per student that will be added to your CARS bill and pays for van rental, gas, camping, field station charges, etc. Lectures Field Trips Wednesday, Aug. 28: Course overview, Vegetative Friday, August 30: Strawberry canyon fire trail, UC Morphology, Importance of Natural History in Berkeley Ecological Study Area Biological Investigation; Taxonomy, Nomenclature Wednesday, September 4: What is “California?” *Friday, September 6-Sunday, September 8: Van Introduction to the California Floristic Province Damme State Park (Mendocino Co.) Wednesday, September 11: What is an Friday, September 13: Sunol Regional Reserve “Ecosystem?” Concepts of Ecosystems, Communities (East Bay Regional Parks) and Vegetation Types Wednesday, September 18: Climate and Soils: *Friday, September 20-Sunday September 22: Abiotic factors Influencing Vegetation Composition Sequoia National Park (Fresno Co.) Wednesday, September 25: Biotic Interactions and Friday, September 27: Samuel Taylor State Park Plant Communities: Plant Competition (Marin Co.) Wednesday, October 2: Biotic Interactions and Friday, October 4: Marin Municipal Water District, Plant Communities: Natural Enemies, Mutualists near Fairfax CA (Marin Co.) Wednesday, October 9: Fire and Other *Friday, October 11-Sunday, October 13: Cone Disturbances and their Effects on California Plant Peak, Big Sur (Big Creek Natural Reserve), Pt. Communities Lobos State Reserve Wednesday, October 16:—Take Home Friday, October 18: Point Reyes National Seashore Midterm distributed — due in one week — Herbarium Visit / Plant Mounting Exercise Wednesday, October 23: Evolution, Adaptation, Friday, October 25: Mt. Diablo State Park, Speciation Clayton area (Contra Costa Co.) Wednesday, October 30: Deep History-California Friday, Nov 1:Tilden Park, Berkeley Hills from 100 to 1 million years ago Wednesday, November 6: The Pleistocene Era to *Thursday, November 7-Monday, November the 1800s: Megafauna and Management by Native 11: Santa Cruz Island and So. Cal Mainland Californians Wednesday, November 13: Colonization, 8am Friday November 15: Año Nuevo St. Conversion, and Conservation Reserve, Quiroste Valley Cultural Preserve Wednesday, November 20: Agricultural Friday, November 22: Full Belly Farm, Guinda Ecosystems, past and present (Yolo Co.) Wednesday, December 4:, The Future of Friday, November 29, NO FIELD TRIP California Ecosystems and Final Review *Friday, December 6–Saturday, December 7, Field Final (SECRET LOCATION) IB 157LF Lectures and Readings Fall 2019 Wednesday, Aug.