OEB Ecology Core Course Org&EvBi 790E
Classes: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:00 - 2:15 p.m.
OEB Seminar Room (319 Morrill S)
Labs: Thursdays, 2:30 - 5:00 p.m.,
PB Conference Room (215 Morrill S)
Course Coordinator: Joe Elkinton (elkinton@ent.umass.edu)
WEEKS 9-13 Community Ecology
Causes of Diversity
INSTRUCTOR:
Paige Warren (pswarren@nrc.umass.edu)
11/24 LECTURE
We will examine theories about the mechanisms leading to variation in species richness, including island biogeography theory. We will discuss equilibrium vs non-equilibrium mechanisms. After a brief lecture, we will review the ideas from the textbook through discussion of two empirical studies. Students should come to class prepared explain basic theories from the textbook (or to ask questions about ideas they find unclear).
READINGS (in wk 12 folder)
Textbook Ch 17.1 - 17.6 (p.602-627)
Guernier et al. 2004
Shochat et al. 2004
Consequences of Diversity
12/1 LECTURE
We will discuss the controversies surrounding diversity-productivity relationships and other ecosystem consequences of diversity (species richness).
Textbook reading: 21.7-8
Primary literature: Duffy 2009
READINGS (in wk 12 folder)
Textbook reading: Ch 21.7-8
Duffy 2009
12/3 LECTURE
NOTE: Thursday's class will meet in Morrill 215
READINGS
Testbook: Chapter 22
Naidoo & Ricketts 2006
LAB EXERCISE - Estimating and Interpreting Species Richness for Different Habitats
We will use a couple of different approaches to estimating species richness and diversity. You will work in groups to estimate richness for 4 urban habitats: mesic and xeric residential in Phoenix, residential and forest remnants in Baltimore. Each group will be tasked with seeking some additional information (e.g. from literature or other online sources) to aid in intrepreting the findings.
When you get to lab, download and install the shareware program "EstimateS":
http://viceroy.eeb.uconn.edu/EstimateS
If you are unable to install the software, don't worry. There is a backup plan
Next, use the following link to download the files we will be using: https://udrive.oit.umass.edu/xythoswfs/webui/_xy-4920687_1-t_eiRVbiLE
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