| Week | Topic | Text |
| 1 | Adaptation and Speciation | Ch. 1,2&17 |
| Boag, P. and P. Grant. 1981. Rapid selection in Darwin's finches. Science 214: 82. | ||
| 2 | Acclimation and Physiological Ecology | Ch. 3,4&10 |
| Palumbi, S. 1984. Tactics of acclimation: morphologicalchanges of sponges in an unpredictable environment. Science 225: 1478-1480. | ||
| 3 | Population Dynamics: simple models | Ch. 14 (p.243-255) Ch. 15 |
| First 2-page essay due Jan. 27 | ||
| 4 | More Population Dynamics: age and life history structure | Ch. 12, Ch. 14 (p.256-260), Ch. 16 |
| Niering, W., R. Whittaker, and C. Lowe. 1963. Saguaro: a population in relation to environment. Science 142: 15. | ||
| First test Feb. 5 | ||
| 5 | Competition | Ch. 18&19 |
| Connell, J.H. 1961. The influence of interspecific competition and other factors on the distribution of the barnacle Chthamalus stellatus. Ecology 42: 710. | ||
| 6 | More about competition | |
| Colwell, R. 1973. Competition and coexistence in a simple tropical community. Amer. Natur. 107: 737-760. | ||
| Second 2-page essay due Feb. 17 | ||
| 7 | Predation | Ch. 20 |
| Holling, C. 1959. The components of predation as revealed by a study of small mammal predation of the European pine sawfly. Can. Entomol. 91: 293. | ||
| 8 | More about Predation | Ch. 21 |
| Marquis, R. and C. Whelan. 1994. Insectivorous birds increase growth of white oak through consumption of leaf chewing insects. Ecology 75: 2007-2014. | ||
| Second Test March 5 | ||
| 9 | Community Structure: energy flow | Ch. 5, 6 |
| Teal, J. 1962. Energy flow in the salt-marsh ecosystem of Georgia. Ecology 43: 614-624. | ||
| 10 | Community Structure: nutrient cycling | Ch. 7, 8 |
| Marks, P. and F. Bormann. 1972. Revegetation following forest cutting: mechanisms for return to steady state nutrient cycling. Science 176: 914. | ||
| 11 | Community Dynamics: disturbance and succession | Ch. 21&22 |
| Third 2-page essay due March 24 | ||
| Forcier, L. Reproductive strategies and the co-occurence of climax tree species. Science 189: 808. | ||
| 12 | Climate Change and Community Response | Ch. 25 |
| Delcourt, H. 1979. Late Quarternary vegetation history of the eastern highland rim and the adjacent Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee. Ecol. Monogr. 49: 255. | ||
| 13 | Gradients of Community Structure | Ch. 24 |
| Janzen, D. H. 1967. Why mountain passes are higher in the tropics. Amer. Nat. 101: 233-249. | ||
| 14 | Biodiversity and Conservation | Ch. 26&27 |
| Martin, P. 1973. The discovery of America. Science 179: 969. | ||
| Term Paper due April 18 |
Structure of the Course: I will deliver informal lectures Mondays and Wednesdays. In the latter half of class on Wednesdays we will discuss the assigned papers. The lab on Fridays will involve field exercises. Bring a field notebook, and dress for work in the woods or swamps. Note that class participation counts; I encourage discussion. In addition to tests you will be responsible for four 2-page creative essays on themes arising from the papers we read, and for a 7-10 page term paper on an ecological topic of your choosing. Note the due dates in the syllabus. Examples of good papers will be available for your examination.
Grading: Your performance will contribute to your final grade in the following manner:
2 tests 11% each
final exam 20%
3 2-page essays on
themes from readings 6% each
7-10 page term paper 20%
Class participation, lab
and homework 20%
Revised 3-5-1997.