COURSE INACTIVE BEGINNING FALL 2003
Chabot College/Las Positas College
January 1994
Course Outline for Ecology 8
NATURAL ENVIRONMENTS OF NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Catalog Description:
8 - Natural Environments of Northern California
3 units
Dominant geological and ecological processes that have shaped the Northern California
environment. Geological provinces ecological communities, and the interrelationships between
organisms and environment. Strongly Recommended: Geology 10, Ecology 10, or Biology 10. 2
hours lecture, two 2-day field trips to Northern California sites.
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1.
obtain an integrated view of the geologic and ecological environment;
2.
learn the basic geological forces involved in the shaping of the Northern California
landscape, and be able to relate the distribution of flora and fauna to the various habitats
that exist;
3.
learn representative organisms in several areas of Northern California and how the
organisms relate to each other and to the inorganic environment.
Course Content:
1.
Geologic overview
a.
Geologic provinces
b.
Precambrian-Paleozoic geology
c.
Mesozoic-Cenozoic geology
d.
Quaternary glaciation
e.
Early California history and mining
f.
History and geology of the Motherlode
2.
Ecological overview
a.
Ecosystem concepts
b.
California ecological communities
c.
Ecological succession
d.
Native uses of California plants
e.
Impact of modern agricultural methods on natural communities
f.
Fire ecology
g.
Evolution of the California flora
3.
Flora, fauna, and geohistory of selected Northern California sites. Examples of areas that
might be visited are:
a.
Yosemite - Mono Lake
b.
Mt. Lassen - Lava Beds
Methods of Presentation:
1.
Lecture and discussion.
2.
Slides, movies, video presentations.
3.
Study of collections of minerals, rocks, plants and animals.
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1.
Written quizzes and exams
2.
Student's ability to observe and interpret natural surroundings
3.
Written report on a Northern California site(s) in lieu of the field trip(s)
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Introduction to California Plant Life, Ornuff, U.C. Press Publishers
Special Student Materials:
sl/hps revised 1/94
a:ECO8CO.CON
INACTIVE BEGINNING FALL 2003
None