Rangeland Resource and Management
PSSC 330 - Fall 2015
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
Kasey L. DeAtley, Ph.D.
Plumas Hall 208
Office: 530-898-5112
Email: kdeatley@csuchico.edu
OFFICE HOURS:
Monday and Wednesday 8-10am, open door (please feel free to stop by), by
appointment or Facebook (on messenger):
https://www.facebook.com/groups/416284158564768/
PREREQUISITE:
None
TEXTBOOK:
Range Management: Principles and Practices (6th Edition) by J. L. Holechek,
R. D. Piper, and C. H. Herbel (required)
READINGS:
Additional required readings will be available on the Blackboard website.
COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This course covers the principles of rangeland management. Throughout the
semester we will develop an understanding how plant, animal, abiotic, and
social sciences contribute to range management. This course will emphasize
the biological, physical, and anthropological factors of rangeland
management. We will review the history of the rangeland management
discipline, discuss rangeland ecology, and identify contemporary issues facing
rangeland managers including rangeland evaluation, rangeland
improvements, plant identification, multiple use, and provisioning of
ecosystem services.
Catalog Description: A survey of North American rangeland resources and
the principles of their use and management, including basic plant-animal-soil
relationships and multiple uses.
COURSE OBJECTIVES:
Acquire a working knowledge of rangeland management and develop the
ability to use this knowledge in managing rangelands for multiple
objectives.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES - Upon completion of this class, student will be able to:





Develop reasoning skills that allow each student to address issues associated with
the discipline of rangeland management.
Discuss the current issues related to rangeland management.
Develop an understanding and appreciation for various rangeland management
techniques.
Evaluate the appropriateness of different management practices to achieve
defined objectives.
Identify several important rangeland plants and grasses that occur in California
and Western rangelands.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES:





Come to class; be on time, and prepared to learn
Be respectful to other students and the instructor
No unnecessary phone use
Participate in class discussions, answer questions, and be engaged
Complete course and assignments with better understanding of rangeland
resources and how to manage them.
INSTRUCTOR RESPONSIBILITIES:





Have high, but reasonable expectations
Give helpful, timely feedback on assignments and activities
Be prepared for each class and available to answer questions
Communicate with students via email, in class, etc.
Be fair and balanced, while creating a fun learning environment
EVALUATION PROCEDURE AND CRITERIA:
Category
Points
Proportion of
Grade
1. Case studies
200
22.2%
2. Assessment - 4 quizzes (50 pts. Each)
200
22.2%
3. Plant ID project
100
11.1%
4. Rangeland Discussions & blog
100
11.1%
5. Group project
100
11.1%
6. Guest lecture/Field trip reports
100
11.1%
7. Final Exam
100
11.1%
Total Points:
900
Extra Credit: attendance will be the only available extra credit. Come to class and
receive up to 50 extra credit points!
COURSE POLICIES AND MY EXPECTATIONS:
You earn your grade, professors merely assign them!
2. Please refrain from talking with fellow students, reading the newspaper, doing
homework for other courses, or surfing the internet during class.
3. Grading policy for late work (assignments): -25% of your grade for being 1 day
late; -33% for 2 days to 1 week late; -50% for everything after 1 week. I strongly suggest
that you do not turn your work in late.
Note: No make-up exams/quizzes will be allowed, except for absences that have
been cleared by the instructor prior to the absence!
Note: For school related activities, a letter from the supporting
faculty/instructor is required prior to the absence.
1.
4. Please arrive to class on time! If you are going to be late, don’t come!
5. Make sure to TURN YOUR CELL PHONES OFF before entering the classroom.
Cell phone policies: 1) You are not allowed to use your cell phones as a calculator during
exams or as a watch during class periods, 2) Do not text during class periods (unless
asked to do so for polling purposes. Students who text in class will be asked to hand over
their phone to the instructor until the end of class period and will lose attendance and
participation points for that day), 3) Cell phones that ring or vibrate during class time
(lecture or activity) will cause the class to lose 5 points off total grade, for every
infraction.
6. “Pet Peeves”:
1. Asking how long something will take. You are obligated for a certain
amount of time by signing up for this course – we will meet for the full
time!
2. Asking to be excused from rules that all classmates are following.
3. Inappropriate or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated, nor will lewd or
foul behavior
7. You are responsible for adding/dropping classes.
8. It is YOUR responsibility to obtain any information announced in class
9. You will have a one-week period following the return of any exams, quizzes, or
assignments to resolve any questions regarding the grading. After that time period, all
grades are final.
10. You should retain all graded items until a final course grade is assigned.
11. If there is evidence that you have been involved in any form of academic dishonesty,
you will receive an “F” grade for the course, be locked from Blackboard, and a report
will be provided to the Student Judicial Affairs for further action.
12. If you need specific accommodations due to a disability (or other circumstances), you
must contact a counselor at Disability Support Services, 530-898-5959.
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to be familiar with the University’s Academic Integrity Policy. Your own
commitment to learning, as evidenced by your enrollment at California State University, Chico,
and the University’s Academic Integrity Policy requires you to be honest in all your academic
course work. Faculty members are required to report all infractions to the Office of Student
Judicial Affairs. The policy on academic integrity and other resources related to student conduct
can be found at: http://www.csuchico.edu/sjd/sja.shtml
Philosophical Statement – Academic Rigor
Academic rigor consists of dedication on the part of students and faculty to the pursuit of
academic excellence, including discipline of mind and disciplined behavior, intellectual
honesty, decorum and civility. It is exemplified by the attainment of the highest standards as
defined by and in each discipline. It also includes transmitting, sustaining, evaluating, and
enhancing the continuity of recognized intellectual achievements in each discipline. A passion
for learning and high expectations should pervade the atmosphere of the University. The
quality of education and the degrees and certificates offered by the University will only have
value insofar as the administration, faculty, and students view themselves as custodians of the
University’s reputation.
Expectations for a Learning Community
Expectations of Faculty
Demonstrate high expectations of the course
through a demanding syllabus, well-prepared
classes, staying current through research and
professional activities.
Expectations of Students
Set high personal standards, develop a strong
sense of purpose, come to class wellprepared, and complete assignments on time
Offer conscientious advising and predictable
availability
Make the most of faculty advising and
mentoring
Fully involve students in the learning
experience by providing prompt, frequent
feedback and developing rigorous testing
methods
Treat fellow students and the classroom
environment with complete respect; give each
class full attention and participation; do not
miss class, arrive late, or leave early
Develop approaches and strategies geared to
diverse talents and ways of learning, while
maintaining high standards of accountability
Accept responsibility for learning and grades
earned
Seek to eliminate opportunities to engage in
academic dishonesty
Approach each class in a professional
manner
Actively contribute to their disciplines
Recognize that a full-course load is equivalent
to full time work and spend no less time on it
Demonstrate complete honesty and integrity
Course Schedule
Lecture topics are tentative and may be changed depending upon guest speaker
availability, class discussion, and student interest in additional topics.
Lecture #
Topic
Readings
Section 1 – Introduction to Rangelands and Range Management
1
Introduction to course, student survey, quiz
N/A
2
Value of rangelands
Chapter 1
3
What is rangeland management?
Chapter 1
4
Rangeland history
Chapter 2
5
Climate patterns & biomes
Chapter 3
6
Rangelands of the world
Chapter 4
7
US Rangelands
Chapter 4
Section # 2 - Rangeland Plants
8
Types & categories of plants
9
Plant morphology & physiology
10
Common Rangeland plants
11
Rangeland grasses
12
Forbs and woody plants
13
Invasive weeds & plants
Chapter 5 + Supp.
Chapter 5 + Supp.
Chapter 5 + Supp.
Chapter 5 + Supp.
Chapter 5 + Supp.
Chapter 5 + Supp.
Section # 3 – Rangeland Animals
14
Overview of grazing animals
15
Livestock & Wildlife interactions
16
Foraging strategies
17
Grazing animal behavior
18
Stocking rate
19
Plant nutritive value
20
Animal nutrition
Ch. 9 - 14
Chapter 14
Chapter 9
Chapter 9 & 11
Chapter 8
Chapter 11
Chapter 11
Section # 4 – Rangeland ecology
21
Ecosystem production
22
Range succession
23
States and transitions
24
Forces of change
25
Plant growth & response to disturbance
26
Ecology interactions and rangeland insects
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Chapter 6 &14
Section # 5 – Rangeland Inventory & Assessment Methods
27
Soils for rangeland mapping
28
Rangeland soils
29
Ecological sites + using web soil survey
30
Inventory and monitoring
Chapter 5
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Section # 6 – Vegetation management, rangeland mgt. and planning
31
Targeted grazing for weed control
Chapter 12-13
32
Grazing systems
Chapter 9
33
Wildland fire effects and management
Supp.
34
Recreation impacts and opportunities
Chapter 18
35
Fragmentation, subdivision, and open space
Chapter 18
36
Tools for land planning
Chapter 18
Final Exam – Sometime during week of December 14-18th – Official
time to be announced at a later date