ENVR S-140/W Fundamentals of EcologyInstructor: Mark Leighton Teaching Assistant: Jen Palacio

leighton@fas.harvard.edu jpalacio@fas.harvard.edu

markleighton9@yahoo.com

• This course introduces basic concepts in the ecology of individual organisms, their populations, and the biological communities in which they live.

• Emphasis is on terrestrial plant and animal ecology.

• The historical, evolutionary, and ecological processes determining the distribution of ecosystems, habitats, and species are introduced.

• Evolutionary processes responsible for the adaptations of individuals are examined to understand the diversity of species and their features.

• Theories of competition, predation, disease, and mutualism help explain the functioning of biological communities.

•These fundamentals establish a basis for examining the challenges imposed by humans on the functioning of natural ecosystems. The sustainable harvesting and use of natural resources, the implications of human population growth and size, and the transformation of ecosystems through human activities and policies are examined in this ecological context.

Grades are assigned on the basis of performance on: Undergraduate credit Graduate credit

Essay 1: 1st Sat field trip write-up 20% 20%Essay 2: 2nd Sat field trip write-up 20% 15%Take home midterm exam 25% 30%In-class final examination 35% 35%

• The in-class final exam will be a mixture of short answer, essay questions & graphs.

• The essays are write-ups for data collected on the field trips; those unable to attend will have a slightly different assignment.

• The take-home midterm exam will demand some literature research, especially from graduate students, taking the place of a term paper.

• For the essay, field write-up assignments, drafts are to be handed in for suggested improvements before the final version is submitted for grading.

Writing-intensive courses at Harvard Extension, such as Fundamentals of Ecology, offer students the opportunity to develop their writing skills in the context of a particular academic discipline, and they all feature common elements.

Students will:

--develop core writing skills, as defined by the instructor, in the discipline of the course;

(Field trip write-ups as scientific essay or report; essay exam questions)

--complete multiple writing assignments of varying lengths, at least 2 of which must be revised; (Drafts of both these assignments are required)

--produce a minimum of 10-12 pages of writing, exclusive of the required revisions, over the course of the term;

--meet at least once in individual conference (in person, by phone, or electronically) with the instructor or TA to discuss writing in progress; (Schedule with your TA)

--and receive detailed feedback on their drafts and revisions, on both content and expression. (These will be annotated on drafts and revisions)

Textbooks and Readings

• The required textbook (available at the Harvard Coop or Amazon.com) is Essentials of Ecology, 3rd edition, by Townsend, C. R., M. Begon & J. L. Harper.

(Note that students wishing a slightly more advanced, longer and expensive treatment can elect to substitute Ecology: From Individuals to Ecosystems, the same authors but in different order (Begon, Townsend & Harper), and available at the same two sources. The organization of the two books and the concepts and examples closely mimic each other, but note that reading will only be assigned from Essentials of Ecology. Note that this substitution is not recommended, but very easily done if a student so wishes.)

• In addition, expect a few short journal articles to be assigned as required reading to illustrate some relevant field research studies & for essay assignments. These will be available as PDF files and placed on the class web site in advance of the lecture for which they are relevant.

• Some supplementary readings and materials of interest may also be posted on the website

ENVR S-140: Fundamentals of Ecology Course OutlineDate Topic Assigned Readinglect 1 Introduction: Case Study on Ecology of Bornean Rainforests T,B&H: chap. 1

lect 2 The Ecological Context of Evolution & Adaptation T,B&H: chap. 2

6/23 sect 1 Introduction: Ecological data and its interpretation

Review of lectures 1-2

Prepare for Saturday field trip & writeup (essay 1)

lect 3 Adaptations to Environmental Conditions and Resources T,B&H: chap. 3lect 4 Distribution of Earth’s Biomes T,B&H: chap. 4

(Please complete reading and video viewing online through lect. 4 before Saturday)

Sat 6/26 1st Saturday field trip: defining habitats at Estabrook Woods, Concord, MA

(approx. 8am-5pm; note: rain make-up on Sunday)

lect 5 Population Ecology & Demography T,B&H: chap. 5

lect 6 Population Ecology (cont.) / Competition Theory T,B&H: chap. 6

6/30 sect 2 Discussion: data analysis from field trip

Review of lectures 3-6

7/2 Field trip write-up: draft version due

lect 7 Ecology of Predation, Grazing & Disease T,B&H: chap. 7

lect 8 Ecology of Mutualisms & Parasitism T,B&H: chap. 8

lect 9 Community Ecology T,B&H: chap. 9

7/7 sect 3 Review of lectures 7-9

Take home midterm exam assigned (graduate and undergrad versions)

Prepare for Saturday field trip & writeup (essay 2)

ENVR S-140: Fundamentals of Ecology Course OutlineDate Topic Assigned Reading Sat 7/10 2nd Saturday field trip: ecological interactions at floral resources

(approx. 8am-3pm; note: rain make-up on Sunday)

7/12 Field trip (Essay 1) write-up: final version due

7/14 sect 4 Discuss field trip data & write-up

Review & discuss take home midterm exam

7/16 Take home midterm exam due

lect 10 Sustainability/Human Population Ecology T,B&H: chap. 12

lect 11 Resource & Energy Cycling & Anthropogenic Pollution T,B&H: chap. 11, 13

7/21 sect 5 Guest Lecture & Discussion: Ecology of Sustainability

2nd field trip writeup (essay 2): draft version due

lect 12 Patterns & Determinants of Species Richness T,B&H: chap. 10

lect 13 Conservation of Biodiversity T,B&H: chap. 14

7/28 sect 6 Final Exam Review

7/30 2nd field trip writeup (essay 2): final version due

8/4 sect 7 Final Examination

The “Zero Assignment”Greetings, ENVR S-140/W class members:

Please briefly address the following points in a short Word document, and submit it to the website Dropbox:

1. a list of relevant courses in biology, ecology, environmental studies, etc.

2. previous research, education, travel, hiking or other activity related to ecology.

3. Your interest in taking the course- what you hope to learn, etc.

This non-graded assignment allows us to get to know you a bit, and additionally, is designed to test the Dropbox technology between your computer and ours.

Please submit this as a Word document, which we prefer for all your written assignments. We will comment on your submission & send it back to you with tracked editing comments. This also allows us to verify that you can read the edited tracked changes.

Name your file: ”s140_yourlastname.doc" and place it in the Dropbox for the Zero Assignment.

The Field Trip & Assignment

June 26 Saturday field trip to Estabrook Woods, Concord, MA (8am-5pm)

(note: rain make-up on Sunday June 27th, or following weekend)

• Field review of ecology of forest types 50 km west of Boston

• Field exercise: Sampling Forest Vegetation at Estabrook Woods– sample trees by both plot and plotless methods

– identify using floristic keys

– map & measure dbh (diameter at breast height)

– calculate density, dominance and importance value

• Data collected by student teams will be collated into tables; summary statistics calculated and posted on website for student analysis

(use of Excel spreadsheet format recommended, but not required)

• Write up comprised of Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion;

• <= 6 double-spaced pages of text (not including tables)

Assignment for those who do not attend the field trip

Choose one of two options:

• Write up the data collected by classmates attending the field trip– extra Results and Discussion section will focus on analyzing and interpreting species diversity

• Sample local vegetation where you live!– Incorporate same research design we will use at Estabrook Woods, or can modify according to local vegetation

– Identify species, measure dbh, etc.

– Can be modified if your local habitats are treeless, so need to characterize vegetation dominated by shrubs or forbs+grasses

Field trip to Estabrook Woods

meet either:1) in front of 1 Story St. at 7:45 for 8 am departure; or2) at trail head on west side of Monument St. by 8:45

- email Jen to inform us if you are attending, where you will meet us, and if you can volunteer a car

- bring lunch & beverage, binoculars (if able to), good cheer

- read materials on the website!

EW

Estabrook Woods Vegetation Map

Parking along left (west) side of Monument St.

Estabrook Woods Field Trip

1) trail walk: ecology of plant communities

2) sample two forest types:

Essay 1 Write-up:

- data organized by teaching staff into tables in Excel spreadsheet & posted on website

- partially analyzed for you

Point Quarter Datasheet of Excel FieldTripData2007 file

Point Quarter SamplesOak Forest Transects

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4Team #OF34 Sample Pt Unique Pt Species DBH DistanceSpecies DBH Distance Species DBH Distance Species DBH DistanceOak Forest 4 1 Red Oak 20 9.4 Red Maple 12 2.1 American Elm 31 6.6 American Elm 27 3.6

32 2 Red Maple 51 4.4 White Pine 28 3.4 Red Oak 32 6.7 Red Maple 40 7.968 3 Red Oak 104 2.3 Red Oak 42 10.2 White Oak 14 7.3 Red Oak 17 6.098 4 Red Oak 70 8.9 Red Oak 93 7.6 White Oak 41 2.0 Red Maple 35 3.6

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4Team #OF100 Sample Pt Species DBH DistanceSpecies DBH Distance Species DBH Distance Species DBH DistanceOak Forest 4 5 Hornbeam 15 6.8 American Elm 32 6.0 Beech 25 2.7 Beech 11 5.6

32 6 Red Oak 48 2.2 Beech 12 7.6 Red Maple 33 8.9 Beech 30 5.368 7 Red Oak 39 3.0 Beech 33 1.5 Beech 26 2.5 Beech 30 5.998 8 Hornbeam 25 3.5 White Pine 10 5.2 White Oak 18 1.5 Red Maple 23 5.1

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4Team #OF233 Sample Pt Species DBH DistanceSpecies DBH Distance Species DBH Distance Species DBH DistanceOak Forest 4 9 Red Oak 45 6.0 Red Oak 30 1.4 Yellow Birch 15 9.0 Red Oak 23 4.8

32 10 Sugar Maple 10 6.1 Red Oak 28 4.0 Yellow Birch 14 4.2 Red Oak 29 1.268 11 White Pine 24 1.2 Red Oak 56 3.2 Red Oak 29 4.8 Red Oak 65 2.298 12 Yellow Birch 20 2.0 Yellow Birch 12 1.4 White Pine 21 3.9 Yellow Birch 17 6.8

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4Team #OF330 Sample Pt Species DBH DistanceSpecies DBH Distance Species DBH Distance Species DBH DistanceOak Forest 4 13 Beech 20 2.6 Red Oak 11 8.5 Beech 31 4.0 Red Oak 42 13.0

32 14 White Pine 52 1.3 Red Maple 13 5.1 Red Oak 21 5.1 Beech 14 7.368 15 Beech 20 0.5 Beech 33 5.1 Beech 27 8.2 White Oak 30 2.198 16 Red Oak 54 3.1 Beech 12 1.5 Beech 11 8.5 Beech 40 3.5126 17 White Pine 16 2.4 American Elm 23 5.7 Beech 25 4.3 Beech 35 6.2

Mixed (Pine-Hardwood) Forest TransectsQ1 Q2 Q3 Q4

Team #MF34 Sample Pt Unique Pt Species DBHDistance Species DBH Distance Species DBH Distance Species DBH

Distance

Mixed Forest 4 1 Red Oak 98 6.9 White Pine 113 9.3 White Pine 162 7.7 White Pine 40 3.632 2 White Pine 24 5.0 White Pine 52 3.0 White Pine 39 5.7 White Pine 38 5.868 3 Red Oak 36 2.5 White Pine 40 6.8 Red Oak 109 7.0 White Pine 48 5.898 4 Red Maple 95 9.0 Red Maple 53 7.7 White Pine 35 5.3 Pin Cherry 15 0.8126 5 Red Maple 25 1.3 White Pine 64 5.2 Mountain Maple 12 2.6 Pin Cherry 14 3.4156 6 White Pine 16 1.2 Mountain Maple 22 3.2 White Pine 47 4.7 Red Maple 13 3.3185 7 Mountain Maple 42 5.0 White Pine 35 3.6 Hemlock 79 10.0 White Pine 42 2.5

Point Quarter Datasheet of Excel FieldTripData2007 fileOak Forest Transects Mixed (Pine-Hardwood) Forest TransectsUnique PtSpecies DBH Distance Unique PtSpecies DBH Distance1 American Elm 31 6.6 9 Black Oak 32 5.61 American Elm 27 3.6 16 Black Oak 33 8.35 American Elm 32 6.0 16 Black Oak 41 2.017 American Elm 23 5.7 7 Hemlock 79 10.05 Beech 25 2.7 9 Hemlock 47 5.45 Beech 11 5.6 16 Hornbeam 11 5.96 Beech 12 7.6 5 Mountain Maple 12 2.67 Beech 33 1.5 6 Mountain Maple 22 3.27 Beech 26 2.5 7 Mountain Maple 42 5.06 Beech 30 5.3 4 Pin Cherry 15 0.87 Beech 30 5.9 5 Pin Cherry 14 3.413 Beech 20 2.6 4 Red Maple 95 9.015 Beech 20 0.5 4 Red Maple 53 7.715 Beech 33 5.1 5 Red Maple 25 1.316 Beech 12 1.5 6 Red Maple 13 3.313 Beech 31 4.0 14 Red Maple 27 6.615 Beech 27 8.2 17 Red Maple 32 2.116 Beech 11 8.5 20 Red Maple 29 4.817 Beech 25 4.3 20 Red Maple 46 6.814 Beech 14 7.3 20 Red Maple 53 9.316 Beech 40 3.5 1 Red Oak 98 6.917 Beech 35 6.2 3 Red Oak 36 2.55 Hornbeam 15 6.8 3 Red Oak 109 7.08 Hornbeam 25 3.5 12 Red Oak 31 4.12 Red Maple 51 4.4 12 Red Oak 21 5.41 Red Maple 12 2.1 17 Red Oak 24 4.22 Red Maple 40 7.9 19 Red Oak 74 9.6

4 Red Maple 35 3.6 19 White Oak 40 8.86 Red Maple 33 8.9 1 White Pine 113 9.3

8 Red Maple 23 5.1 1 White Pine 162 7.714 Red Maple 13 5.1 1 White Pine 40 3.61 Red Oak 20 9.4 2 White Pine 24 5.03 Red Oak 104 2.3 2 White Pine 52 3.04 Red Oak 70 8.9 2 White Pine 39 5.73 Red Oak 42 10.2 2 White Pine 38 5.84 Red Oak 93 7.6 3 White Pine 40 6.82 Red Oak 32 6.7 3 White Pine 48 5.83 Red Oak 17 6.0 4 White Pine 35 5.3

6 Red Oak 48 2.2 5 White Pine 64 5.27 Red Oak 39 3.0 6 White Pine 16 1.29 Red Oak 45 6.0 6 White Pine 47 4.79 Red Oak 30 1.4 7 White Pine 35 3.6

Plot Datasheet of Excel FieldTripData2007 filePlot Samples

N/A= no trees in plot

Oak Forest Transects Oak Forest Transects Mixed Forest TransectsTeam #OF34 Sample Pt Plot # Tree Species DBH (cm) Plot # Tree Species DBH (cm) Plot # Tree Species DBH (cm)Oak Forest 4 1 Red Maple 12 6 Beech 30 2 Beech 33

32 2 Black Cherry 44 6 Beech 26 5 Mountain Maple 3032 2 Red Maple 27 6 Beech 30 5 Pin Cherry 1032 2 White Pine 22 6 Beech 16 5 Pin Cherry 1168 3 Red Oak 104 6 Beech 17 15 Red Maple 7468 3 Red Oak 17 15 Beech 15 24 Red Maple 2498 4 N/A N/A 17 Beech 57 3 Red Oak 36

18 Beech 12 5 Red Oak 25Team #OF100 Sample Pt Tree Species DBH (cm) 19 Beech 35 7 Red Oak 93Oak Forest 4 5 Hornbeam 15 19 Beech 25 5 White Pine 64

32 6 Red Oak 48 2 Black Cherry 44 6 White Pine 1632 6 Beech 30 5 Hornbeam 15 9 White Pine 1632 6 Red Oak 32 1 Red Maple 12 16 White Pine 3132 6 Beech 26 2 Red Maple 27 16 White Pine 3132 6 Beech 30 3 Red Oak 104 16 White Pine 4132 6 Beech 16 3 Red Oak 17 16 White Pine 3632 6 Beech 17 6 Red Oak 48 16 White Pine 2768 7 N/A N/A 6 Red Oak 32 17 White Pine 6898 8 N/A N/A 10 Red Oak 35 17 White Pine 48

10 Red Oak 35 17 White Pine 49Team #OF233 Sample Pt Tree Species DBH (cm) 10 Red Oak 29 18 White Pine 52Oak Forest 4 9 N/A N/A 10 Red Oak 26 18 White Pine 57

32 10 Red Oak 35 11 Red Oak 65 10 Yellow Birch 1232 10 Red Oak 35 14 Red Oak 35 11 Yellow Birch 1232 10 Red Oak 29 15 Red Oak 36 18 Yellow Birch 1232 10 Red Oak 26 16 Red Oak 4068 11 White pine 24 16 Red Oak 3568 11 Yellow Birch 25 17 Red Oak 3268 11 Red Oak 65 17 Red Oak 3998 12 Yellow Birch 20 17 Red Oak 27122 13 Yellow Birch 15 18 Red Oak 24146 14 Red Oak 35 19 Red Oak 36

2 White Pine 22Team #OF330 Sample Pt Tree Species DBH (cm) 11 White pine 24Oak Forest 4 15 Beech 15 11 Yellow Birch 25

4 15 Red Oak 36 12 Yellow Birch 2032 16 Red Oak 40 13 Yellow Birch 1532 16 Red Oak 35

Pt-Qtr Calculations Datasheet of Excel FieldTripData2007 filePoint-Quarter Calculations n= 17 points

Oak Forest Transects mean point to plant distance= 4.8 metersUnique Pt Species DBH Distance Basal Area total density of all spp= 436.43 trees >10cm dbh/ha1 American Elm 31 6.6 754.77

1 American Elm 27 3.6 572.56 Oak Forest5 American Elm 32 6.0 804.25 relative (no./ha) relative relative importance17 American Elm 23 5.7 415.48 density density dominance dominance frequency frequency value5 Beech 25 2.7 490.885 Beech 11 5.6 95.03 American Elm 5.88 25.67 16347.21 3.91 0.18 7.32 17.126 Beech 12 7.6 113.10 Beech 26.47 115.53 60211.96 14.41 0.47 19.53 60.416 Beech 30 5.3 706.86 Hornbeam 2.94 12.84 4284.65 1.03 0.12 4.88 8.857 Beech 33 1.5 855.30 Red Maple 10.29 44.93 37025.69 8.86 0.35 14.64 33.807 Beech 26 2.5 530.93 Red Oak 10.29 44.93 38375.36 9.19 0.35 14.64 34.127 Beech 30 5.9 706.86 Sugar Maple 10.29 44.93 30426.07 7.28 0.35 14.64 32.2213 Beech 20 2.6 314.16 White Oak 10.29 44.93 76881.77 18.40 0.35 14.64 43.3413 Beech 31 4.0 754.77 White Pine 10.29 44.93 79598.74 19.05 0.35 14.64 43.9914 Beech 14 7.3 153.94 Yellow Birch 10.29 44.93 75566.13 18.09 0.35 14.64 43.0315 Beech 20 0.5 314.1615 Beech 33 5.1 855.30 total= 97.06 423.59 418717.57 100.22 2.88 119.6015 Beech 27 8.2 572.56 should be 100.00 436.43 417787.75 100.00 2.41 100.0016 Beech 12 1.5 113.1016 Beech 11 8.5 95.03 yellow are correct, you have to edit other cells16 Beech 40 3.5 1256.6417 Beech 25 4.3 490.8817 Beech 35 6.2 962.125 Hornbeam 15 6.8 176.728 Hornbeam 25 3.5 490.881 Red Maple 12 2.1 103.872 Red Maple 51 4.4 2042.832 Red Maple 40 7.9 1256.644 Red Maple 35 3.6 962.126 Red Maple 33 8.9 855.308 Red Maple 23 5.1 415.4814 Red Maple 13 5.1 132.73

n= 20 points

mean point to plant distance= 5.1 meterstotal density of all spp= 386.36 trees >10cm dbh/ha

Mixed (Pine-Hardwood) Forest 20 sample pointsrelative (no./ha) relative relative importancedensity density dominance dominance frequency frequency value

Black Oak 3.75 14.49 14390.98 2.66 0.15 6.07 12.48Hemlock 5.00 19.32 24406.63 4.51 0.15 6.07 15.59Hornbeam 5.00 19.32 21590.26 3.99 0.15 6.07 15.07Mountain Maple 5.00 19.32 60841.15 11.25 0.15 6.07 22.33Pin Cherry 5.00 19.32 9482.72 1.75 0.15 6.07 12.83Red Maple 5.00 19.32 2564.13 0.47 0.15 6.07 11.55Red Oak 5.00 19.32 22816.19 4.22 0.15 6.07 15.29White Oak 5.00 19.32 82689.35 15.29 0.15 6.07 26.37White Pine 5.00 19.32 65134.93 12.05 0.15 6.07 23.12Yellow Birch 5.00 19.32 35188.20 6.51 0.15 6.07 17.58

total= 48.8 188.4 339104.5 62.7 1.5 60.7

Plot Calculations Datasheet of Excel FieldTripData2007 filePlot Calculations

Oak Forest Transects n=37 trees, Plot # Tree Species DBH (cm)Basal Area area = 19 plots * (5m x 10m) = 950m2/10000 = 0.095 ha6 Beech 30 706.96 Beech 26 530.9

6 Beech 30 706.9 Oak Forest6 Beech 16 201.1 relative relative relative importance6 Beech 17 227.0 density density dominance dominance frequency frequency value15 Beech 15 176.717 Beech 57 2551.8 Beech 105.26 22.91 70181.69 14.49 0.26 10.12 47.5318 Beech 12 113.1 Black Cherry 10.53 2.29 16005.63 3.30 0.05 2.02 7.6219 Beech 35 962.1 Hornbeam 10.53 2.29 1860.16 0.38 0.05 2.02 4.7019 Beech 25 490.9 Red Maple 10.53 2.29 1190.50 0.25 0.05 2.02 4.562 Black Cherry 44 1520.5 Red Oak 10.53 2.29 6026.91 1.24 0.05 2.02 5.565 Hornbeam 15 176.7 White Pine 10.53 2.29 89419.86 18.46 0.05 2.02 22.781 Red Maple 12 113.1 Yellow Birch 10.53 2.29 2389.27 0.49 0.05 2.02 4.812 Red Maple 27 572.63 Red Oak 104 8494.9 total= 168.4 36.7 187074.0 38.6 0.6 22.33 Red Oak 17 227.06 Red Oak 48 1809.6

Mixed Forest Transects n=25 trees, Plot # Tree Species DBH (cm)Basal Area area = 24 plots * (5m x 10m) = 1200m2/10000 = 0.12 ha2 Beech 33 855.35 Mountain Maple 30 706.9

5 Pin Cherry 10 78.5 Mixed (Pine-Hardwood) Forest5 Pin Cherry 11 95.0 relative relative relative importance15 Red Maple 74 4300.9 density density dominance dominance frequency frequency value24 Red Maple 24 452.43 Red Oak 36 1017.9 Beech 8.33 1.81 7127.51 1.47 0.04 1.60 4.895 Red Oak 25 496.6 Mountain Maple 8.33 1.81 5890.50 1.22 0.04 1.60 4.637 Red Oak 93 6792.9 Pin Cherry 16.67 3.63 1446.45 0.30 0.08 3.21 7.135 White Pine 64 3217.0 Red Maple 16.67 3.63 36632.37 7.56 0.08 3.21 14.406 White Pine 16 201.1 Red Oak 16.67 3.63 39610.34 8.18 0.08 3.21 15.019 White Pine 16 201.1 White Pine 16.67 3.63 12252.24 2.53 0.08 3.21 9.3616 White Pine 31 754.8 Yellow Birch 16.67 3.63 12621.00 2.61 0.08 3.21 9.4416 White Pine 31 754.816 White Pine 41 1320.3 total= 100.0 21.8 115580.4 23.9 0.5 19.216 White Pine 36 1017.916 White Pine 27 572.6