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Master Course Outline
NR 150
Forest Ecology – Disturbances
Course Description: Part one of a three part forest ecology series. Lectures will focus on basic biology,
life history and distribution of plants. Laboratory exercises will focus on the taxonomy and identification
methods relevant to plants of the Pacific Northwest. An emphasis will be placed on higher plants
including major tree species found in the region along with the use and understanding of dichotomous
keys. Students will be evaluated on both the lecture and laboratory material, however, the focus of the
curriculum will be identification and description of the plants in the field. Students will be required to
maintain a field journal of plants identified during labs. This course will be taught in an accelerated
format being completed in a two-week period. 3 lecture hours; 4 lab hours. Vocational program course.
May be used as a general elective in the AA degree.
Credits: 5
Prerequisites: ENGL 095 or placement in ENGL& 101; or instructor permission
Recommended Preparation: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this course the student will be able to:
Recognize and describe how disturbances alter ecosystems.
Identify insects and diseases that are important pests in Pacific Northwest forest ecosystems.
Describe how climate influences abiotic factors such as fire and wind in creating diverse
landscapes.
Demonstrate an understanding of basic terminology associated with disturbance ecology.
Differentiate how forest ecosystems result for disturbance regimes.
Explain gap dynamics, fire frequency and epidemic/endemic population growth in relation to
forest ecology.
Employ the use of a dichotomous key, dissecting tools and reference books to identify and
classify unknown insects and diseases.
Formulate questions to determine how forest structure is created for various ecosystems.
Evaluate management options for controlling forest pests, windthrow and wildfires.
Evaluate how society demands on forests are affected by disturbance agents.
Develop interpersonal and leadership skills through class participation and interaction.
Create a comprehensive journal detailing specimens collected and analyzed in the field.
Demonstrate competency in utilizing reference material.
Evaluate the role of information resources in making sound decisions.
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Evaluate the role of information resources in making sound decisions.
Course Resources/Textbooks/Website:
Forest Ecology: A Foundation for Sustainable Forest Management and Environmental Ethics in
Forestry (3rd Edition)- J.P. Kimmins, Pearson/Prentice Hall Publishers (2004)
Pests of the Native California Conifers – David Wood et al, University of California Press (2003)
Common Tree Diseases of British Columbia 3rd Edition – Allen, Morrison and Wallis, Natural
Resources Canada (1996)
Academic Integrity: All forms of cheating, falsification, and plagiarism are against the rules of this course
and of Grays Harbor College. Students who are unsure what constitutes academic dishonesty are
responsible for asking the instructor for clarification. Instances of intentional academic dishonesty will
be dealt with severely.
Disabilities: Students who have documented disabilities that require accommodations in compliance
with the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the Disability Support Services coordinator as
well as the instructor of the course in order to ensure that together we create an optimal environment
for educational achievement.
W Day, the final day to officially withdraw from a course, is the Thursday of the seventh week (Thursday
of the fourth week for summer quarter). Students who do not withdraw by that date will receive the
grades they have earned, regardless of whether they are attending the course or completing the work.
Students who are considering withdrawal are strongly advised to consult with the instructor, advisor and
financial aid prior to withdrawing. The only withdrawals allowed after W Day are complete withdrawals
from all courses.
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