Wetland Ecology and Management
Conservation Science 4403
Spring 2007
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
E-mail:
Office Hrs:
TA:
Office:
Dr. Craig A. Davis
239 Agricultural Hall
744-6859
craig.a.davis@okstate.edu
Anytime I’m in my office
April Estep
115 Life Science West
Lecture Time:
Lab Time:
Monday and Wednesday, 10:30-11:20 am, 019 Agricultural Hall
Friday, 12:30-3:20 pm, 316 Life Science West
Text:
Mitsch, W. J., and J. G. Gosselink. 2000. Wetlands. Third edition, John
Wiley and Sons, New York, NY.
Course Description: Ecology, classification, restoration, and management of major wetlands in
North America. Topics include adaptations of wetland plants and animals,
structure and function of wetland ecosystems, field identification of
wetland plants, aquatic invertebrate identification, wetland restoration
techniques, wetland classification systems, management and conservation
of wetlands, and wetland regulatory processes.
Course Objectives:
1. To foster student knowledge in wetland ecology and management with a focus on the
concepts and theories about the structure and function of wetland ecosystems in North
America and the application of these concepts and theories in developing
management strategies for wetlands.
2. To develop student skills in wetland plant and aquatic invertebrate identification.
3. To provide students with knowledge about the regulatory and legal processes
involved with protecting and preserving wetlands and a background in wetland
delineation.
Grading:
2
Grades will be based on 3 lecture exams, a wetland assessment project, a plant
identification quiz, and a presentation detailing your wetland assessment project.
Graduate students will have an additional assignment of presenting a mini-lecture
(20-30 minutes) on a wetland topic of their choice. Graduate student exams will
also be different than undergraduate exams in terms of expectations and types of
questions.
Assignment
Exam 1
Exam 2
Final Exam
Plant Identification Quiz
Wetland Assessment Project
Wetland Assessment Presentation
Mini-lecture (graduate students)
Total Points
Total Points (graduate students)
Point Total
100
100
150
50
100
50
50
600
650
Policies:
Make-up exams will only be given if the student has notified me at least 2 days
before the exam that the student will be unable to take the exam on the scheduled
day. Students are expected to attend class and are responsible for all material
whether you are present or absent.
Field Trip:
In additional to local field trips to wetlands, one overnight field trip to Red Slough
Management Area and one Saturday field trip Hackberry Flats is scheduled.
Students will be responsible for all information obtained on the field trip (for
exams). Camping gear (e.g., sleeping bags, coolers, and tents) along with food for
meals will need to be taken. To assist with transportation costs, each student will
be required to pay a fee at the end of the course.
3
Tentative Lecture and Reading Schedule
Week 1 Introduction: Wetland Classification; Wetland Values and Functions; Wetland
Communities; Wetland Status and Trends (Chs. 1, 2, 4, 16, & 21)
Week 2 & 3: Wetland Hydrology (Ch. 5)
Week 4: Wetland Vegetation (Ch. 7)
Week 5 & 6: Wetland Soils (Ch. 6)—Greg Scott (NRCS Soil Scientist)
Week 7: Wetland Vegetation (Ch. 7)
Week 8: Wetland Biogeochemistry (Ch. 6)—Dr. Joe Bidwell
Week 9: Wetland Development (Ch. 8)
Week 10 & 11: North American Wetlands: Coastal and Inland Wetlands (Chs. 9-15)
Week 12 & 13: Wetland Vertebrates and Invertebrates
Week 14 & 15: Wetland Management, Restoration & Construction (Chs. 17, 19 & 20)
Tentative Lab Schedule
12 Jan: Introduction continued
19 Jan: Overview of Wetland Delineation & Field Methods
26 Jan: Photo Interpretation & Wetland Delineation Field Methods Demonstration at Teal
Ridge Wetland
2 Feb: Wetland Plant Identification
9 Feb: Exam 1
16 Feb: Open
24 Feb: Hackberry Flats Field Trip (note: no FRIDAY LAB) Kelvin Schnoover (ODWC)
2 Mar: Local Field Trip: Alan Stacey (ODWC)
9 Mar: Local Field Trip: Alan Stacey (ODWC)
16 Mar: Exam 2
30 Mar: Graduate Mini-Lectures
6 Apr: Aquatic Invertebrate Identification/Plant Quiz
13 Apr: Local Field Trip
20-21 Apr: Little River NWR and Red Slough Wildlife Management Area Field Trip
27 Apr: Wetland Assessment Presentations; Wetland Assessments Due
1 May: Final Exam (10:00-11:50)