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WILDLIFE ECOLOGY - BIOLOGY 455 - FALL 2009
Dr. Donna Bruns Stockrahm
– Biosciences Department
- Office Phone (218) 477-2576
- Home Phone 1- (218) 937-5280
- Cell Phone: (701) 367-3045
- Office: Hagen Hall, Room 407S
- stockram@mnstate.edu
- Office Hours: See my office door for Office Hours
- Classroom: Hagen Hall, Room 410
- web.mnstate.edu/stockram/index.htm
Course Description:
4 credits (3, 1-hr lectures and 1, 3-hr lab per week).
The application of ecological principles to the management of wildlife populations. Population
dynamics and field techniques are stressed. With lab and field work. Prerequisite: BIOL 345.
Required Textbooks:
Bolen, E. G., and W. L. Robinson. 2003. Wildlife ecology and management. Prentice
Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. 634pp. (5th edition).
Recommended (also on Reserve):
Cox, G. W. 1997. Conservation biology: concepts and applications. Wm. C. Brown
Publishers, Dubuque, Iowa. 362pp. (2nd edition).
Writing Book:
If you do not already have this book for Senior Seminar, you might want to buy it for use as a
reference.
McMillan, V. E. 2001. Writing papers in the biological
sciences. Bedford/St. Martin’s, Boston. 207pp. (3rd edition).
Hardcover Field Notebook (NOT spiral-bound) with sewn seams will also need to be
purchased. Available in the MSUM bookstore.
Course Objectives/Student Learning Outcomes:
1) To gain an understanding of the historical background of conservation and management
of wildlife species and how this has influenced current practices in the United States.
2) To gain a better understanding of the depth and breadth of the field of wildlife ecology.
3) To learn to apply ecological principles to the management and conservation of wild
populations.
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4) To gain hands-on experience in animal observation and field/lab techniques used to study
wild animals.
5) To learn to identify selected species (primarily species of the US Midwest) of birds and
mammals and some basic ecology about each species.
6) To learn basic concepts about population ecology, habitat use, selected animal diseases,
and conservation of endangered species.
Note:
We will follow this schedule as closely as possible, but we will allow enough flexibility to also
address current wildlife issues as they arise. Additional readings might be assigned. SP =
student presentations to the class; you will give a lecture, complete with notes, to the class on the
assigned reading. We might have several guest lecturers. The readings listed below are from
Bolen and Robinson unless noted otherwise. I have listed the topics by week and the date shown
is the Monday of that week.
Bird Banding:
We might have an opportunity to participate or observe bird banding at the Science Center.
Details later. Date below refers to the date of Monday of that week.
LECTURE SCHEDULE
DATE
TOPIC
READINGS
Textbook
Week 1
(Aug 24)
Week 2
(31 Aug)
- Introduction; What is Wildlife Management?
- Wildlife Terminology
Ch 1
- What is Conservation Biology?
Ch 21
- History of Conservation (Cox pp. 10-18 = Ch 2)
Donna will be gone on 31 Aug and 2 Sept (Mon and Wed) – Movies will be shown.
Attendance is mandatory – please sign the attendance sheet on those days. Class as normal
on Friday.
Week 3
(7Sept)
- Introduction to Radiotelemetry
- No class on 7 Sept – Labor Day
- Capturing, Handling, and Marking Animals (Techniques)
Week 4
- Nongame and Endangered Wildlife
Ch 19
3
14 Sept)
Week 5
(21 Sept)
- Endangered Species Preservation
(I will be at the National Meeting for The Wildlife Society this week;
students will give talks for the class during regular class time; I will give an
assignment instead of a lab this week)
SP =
____
__
(Cox - pp.273-278)
- Management of Exotic Species
SP = _____
(Cox pp. 202-210= Ch 20)
- Neglect and Exploitation
Ch 2
SP = _______________________ (Chronic Wasting Disease)
SP = ________________________ (West Nile Virus)
Week 6
(28 Sept)
***EXAM 1***
- Some Successes in Managing Wildlife
Ch 3
- Ecosystems and Natural Communities
Ch 4
- Proposal for Research Project is Due This Week!!!!!!!!!!
Week 7
(5 Oct))
- Use of Game Cameras in Wildlife Research
and Practice with Game Cameras
- Human Impacts:
- On Islands (Cox pp. 116-122)
- Oil Spills (Cox pp. 225-228) (SP = 2 above______________)
- Mining/Damming/Channelization
SP = ____________________ (Cox pp. 158-166)
Week 8
(12 Oct)
- Population Ecology
- No class on 12 Oct – Fall Breather
Ch 5
Week 9
(19 Oct)
- Animal Behavior and Wildlife Management
Ch 6
-Introduction to GPS and GIS
Week 10
***EXAM 2***
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(26 Oct)
Week 11
(2 Nov)
- Food and Cover
Ch 7
- Wildlife Diseases
Ch 8
- Pesticides and Wildlife (Cox pp. 222-225,
228-231 = Ch 22)
SP = _____________________________
- Predators and Predation
Ch 9
- Animals "Dangerous" to Humans (Cox pp. 138-143)
SP = _______________________
Week 12
(9 Nov)
- Hunting and Trapping
Ch 10
- Hunting of Migratory Birds (SP= Cox pp. 212-221)
SP = _________________________
- Wildlife and Water
Ch 11
- Lakes, Ponds, and Marshes (Cox pp. 146-155 = Ch. 15)
SP =
___________
Week 13
(16 Nov)
Week 14
(23 Nov)
***EXAM 3***
- Wildlife and Soils
Ch 12
- Wildlife and Farmland
Ch 13
- No class on Nov 25, 26, or 27 – Thanksgiving Break
LAB TEST TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR LECTURE TIME ON
MONDAY (23 NOV)
Week 15
(30 Nov)
- Wildlife and Rangelands
Ch 14
- Deserts and Overgrazing (Cox pp. 76-80)
- Grasslands and Tundra (Cox pp. 62-70)
(SP = _______
; both above)
Week 16
(Dec 7)
- Forestry Management and Wildlife
Ch 15
- Tropical Deforestation (Cox pp. 87-91)
- Old Growth and Spotted Owls (Cox pp. 54-57)
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SP =
____
-- both above topics
- Forestry Research Techniques:
- Quarter Method (sometimes called Point Quarter Method)
- Random Pairs Method
- Bitterlich Method
If we have time:
- Design of Natural Preserves (Cox pp.279-286=Ch27)
- Island Biogeography (Cox pp. 124-130 = Ch 13)
- Research Project Papers Due Today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dec
11
***(FINAL) EXAM 4*** – 9am
LAB/FIELD SCHEDULE
This schedule is subject to change due to weather, transportation, etc. Dress warmly (layers work
best) for field trips and always bring field notebook, compass, binoculars, appropriate footgear,
and water bottle (if a long day) with you. You might also want to bring a camera.
Lab is on Thursday at 1:30-4:20pm – date below refers to the date on that Thursday.
LAB 1:
(Aug 27)
INDOOR LAB:
Keeping a Field Notebook; Research
Projects; Relevant Scientific Journals; IACUC Test;
Introduction to Maps/Mapping; Wildlife Scavenger Hunt!
LAB 2:
(Sept 3)
FIELD TRIP:
Mapping Exercise; we will probably use the MSUM
campus for this exercise; time permitting, GPS
demonstration or exercise
LAB 3:
(Sept 10)
FIELD TRIP:
Field trip to Stockrahm Farm, other local wildlife areas;
turtle study near Rollag, MN
LAB 4:
FIELD TRIP:
(Sept 17)
(Weather permitting)
(Times may vary from regular lab
Times due to weather and length
Of time small mammals can safely
Stay in a live-trap)
Small Mammal Live-Trapping
- Pre-bait and set up trapping grid
- Learn to ID, handle, and collect data on small mammals
LAB 5:
(Sept 24)
Vegetation Sampling Techniques:
- Collecting Techniques (making a plant collection)
- Point-intercept method
- Line-intercept method
FIELD TRIP
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- Belt transect method
LAB 5:
FIELD TRIP:
(Oct 1)
(Scheduling permitting)
Field trip with Cathy Hanson
(USFWS) - Wildlife biologists with Detroit Lakes
Wetland Management District
LAB 7:
(Oct 8)
FIELD TRIP:
Squirrel Leaf Nest Study including
the Quarter Method sampling technique (probably
at Gooseberry Park)
LAB 8:
(Oct 15)
FIELD TRIP:
GPS/GIS Mapping Exercise
LAB 9:
(Oct 22)
INDOOR LAB:
Identification of Mammals, Birds;
Using Keys/Guides to Identify Species
LAB 10:
(Oct 29)
INDOOR LAB:
Population Estimation Techniques
LAB 11:
(Nov 5)
INDOOR LAB:
Aging Techniques and Reproductive
Biology
LAB 12:
(Nov 12)
INDOOR LAB:
Lab Exam (mainly bird, mammal
identification and related information
LAB 13:
(Nov 19)
INDOOR LAB:
Necropsy Techniques; Making Study Skins
(providing we can get fresh material)
LAB 14:
(26 Nov)
THANKSGIVING – NO LAB
LAB 15:
(Dec 3)
INDOOR LAB:
Student Oral Presentations
on Research Projects
(The last lab material will be tested on
the lecture final rather than in lab)
Course Requirements:
Notebook: Students will keep a detailed notebook on all lab exercises, readings, films, and field
trips.
Lecture: You are expected to attend all lectures. Class size is small, and without your
participation, there is no class!
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Laboratory Sessions and Field Trips: Attendance is mandatory.
The field trips are impossible to make up and lab sessions are quite difficult to make up. If you
know you will miss a lab or field trip for a legitimate reason, please let me know in advance so
we can try to make other arrangements.
Exams: You are expected to take exams on the scheduled days.
In the case of an anticipated and excused absence on the exam date, you should make
arrangements for the exam prior to the absence. In the case of an unanticipated (but legitimate
and excused absence), you should make arrangements for the exam as soon as possible after
returning to class. (If possible, call immediately and let me know.)
Assignments: In addition to your exams, your grade will be based upon several assignments:
Lab/Field Notebooks: Each student will keep a lab/field notebook documenting all lab/field
exercises, lab reports, readings, and field trips. Notebooks will be graded on content, proper
format, and neatness according to the guidelines explained in class.
Computer WEB Exercise: Each student will use the WEB and find information on the
following: 3 wildlife jobs, 3 wildlife graduate schools, names and relevant information about 3
professors at universities who have a research emphasis that interests you, 3 endangered species,
3 exotic species, Minnesota wildlife programs, 2 national parks. Your assignment is to turn in
your printed information to me by 5 Oct. To conserve paper, print 1 or 2 key pages from
each website AND also type up a 1-page summary that tells me one interesting thing about
each website (also list web address with each website).
Research Project: We will discuss the form of the research project to determine what will best
serve the needs of the class. Students may work alone or in pairs on the project.
Possibilities include:
1.
Designing and conducting an experiment to test a hypothesis and writing a paper in
scientific format.
2.
Using data that have already been collected, analyzing the data, and writing a paper in
scientific format.
3.
Conducting a literature search on a topic and writing a research proposal suitable for
submission to a funding agency.
4.
Designing a management plan for the wildlife of a certain area.
5.
Animal Enrichment Project at the Red River Zoo in Fargo, ND. (Further details in
class.)
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6.
Educational plan (photo-guided) for Museum specimens.
Oral Presentations: Each student will give several oral presentations to the class on selected
topics and readings.
Peer Review: For some exercises, students will read, edit, and critique the written work of
others in order to gain better writing/editorial skills. Permission slips will be provided.
Evaluation Standards/Course Grading Policy:
Exam 1
100 pts
Exam 2
100 pts
Exam 3
100 pts
Exam 4 (Final)100 pts
Lab Exam
100 pts
Map
10 pts
Notebook
50 pts
Oral Presentations
5 pts
WEB Exercise
5 pts
Research Project
100 pts
Rough Draft (Project) 10 pts
Lab Reports, Misc.
20 pts
A
B
C
D
F
90-100%
80-89
70-79
60-69
< 60
Attendance Policy: All students are expected to attend all labs, lectures, and field trips. In the
event of an absence (either unexpected or expected), please let me know in advance if possible or
as soon as possible. It is nearly impossible to make up labs or field trips. See MSUM Student
Absence Policy, Student Handbook:
http://web.mnstate.edu/shandbook/POLICY/index.htm
Academic Honesty: All students are expected to be honest in all their work for this class. In the
event of joint projects, all students working on the project are expected to contribute equally to
the final product. See MSUM Student Handbook address above.
Special Accommodations:
Students with disabilities who believe they may need an accommodation in this class are
encouraged to contact Greg Toutges, Coordinator of Disability Services at 477-5859 (Voice) or
1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY), CMU 114 as soon as possible to ensure that accommodations are
implemented in a timely fashion.
Updated by DMBS on 24 August 2009