Forest Ecology - Disturbances

Part two of a three part forest ecology series. This ecology course will focus of the basics of ecological interaction of plants, animals and the environment with an emphasis on events that cause significant changeof our forest plant communities. Lectures will introduce insects and diseases endemic to the Pacific Northwest, fire history and dynamics, gap/patch disturbances cause by wind, and how flooding alters our riparian communities. Climate change will be interwoven in relation to these disturbance agents in today's forests. Laboratory will focus on life history, basic biology and identification of insects and diseases, fire effects and management, and measures of weather and climate. Students will be evaluated on both lecture and laboratory material and will be required to maintain a field journal during labs. This course will be taught in an accelerated format being completed in a 2 week period. 3 lecture hours; 4 lab hours. Vocational program course. May be used as a general elective in the AA degree.