Chabot College
Fall 2003
Removed Fall 2006
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.
Prerequisite Skills:
None
Expected Outcomes for Students:
Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
describe the interaction between the geologic and ecological environment;
describe the geological forces that have shaped the Northern California landscape;
describe the laws of energy and energy transformations by autotrophy and heterotrophy in food
chains;
describe the levels of organization of matter and recycling of matter;
explain how communities change through ecological succession with emphasis on the role fire plays
in secondary succession;
describe major types of ecosystems in Northern California and explain how they are affected by
abiotic factors; explain how abiotic factors relate to distribution of organisms;
identify representative organisms in several areas of Northern California; describe their evolution,
natural history, and interactions;
describe human impact on the natural communities of Northern California, and discuss management
of wildlife and endangered species.
Course Content:
1.
Geologic provinces
2.
Precambrian-Paleozoic geology
3.
Mesozoic-Cenozoic geology
4.
Quaternary glaciation
5.
Early California history and mining
6.
History and geology of the Motherlode
7.
Ecosystems and Energy
a.
laws of matter and energy
b.
properties and changes of matter
8.
Trophic Levels
a.
photosynthesis
b.
cellular respiration
c.
energy flow
d.
recycling matter
e.
food chains and webs
9.
Succession
10.
Fire ecology
11.
Evolution and natural history of California organisms
12.
Interactions between organisms in ecosystems
13.
Native uses of California organisms
14.
Biodiversity
a.
human impact on natural communities
b.
wildlife management
c.
California endangered species
Chabot College
Course Outline for Ecology 8, page 2
Fall 2003
15.
Flora, fauna and geohistory of selected Northern California sites. Examples of areas that might be
visited are:
a.
Yosemite
b.
Mono Lake
c.
Mt. Lassen - Lava Beds
Methods of Presentation:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Lecture and discussion.
Multimedia presentations.
Field trips
Research paper/term project
Typical Assignments and Methods of Evaluating Student Progress:
1.
2.
Typical Assignments
a.
Field trip reports – report on the formation of Lava Beds at Mt. Lassen
b.
Report on history and impact of mining in Northern California
c.
Geologic Eras review
Methods of Evaluating Student Progress
a.
Assignments
b.
Quizzes
c.
Midterm examinations
d.
Final examination
Textbook(s) (Typical):
Ecology: Theories and Applications, Stilling, Prentice Hall Publishers, 4th edition, 2002
Special Student Materials:
None
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Revised: 11/6/02