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PURPOSE AND OVERVIEW
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with an understanding of:
- the geographic distribution, classification and biophysical characteristics of rangelands,
- factors that control the structure, function and distribution of rangelands,
- the origin and evolution of rangelands,
- interactions between the physical environment, plants, animals and microbeswithin rangeland ecosystems and how these interactions influence ecosystem dynamics such as productivity, succession, etc.,
- important physiological processes that influence growth, function and distribution of rangeland plants,
- mechanisms by which plant level responses influence comunity structure and function,
- the relationship of ecological concepts to rangeland evaluation and management.
INSTRUCTORS
| Dr. Fred E. Smeins |
Dr. David D. Briske |
| Ecosystem Science and Management |
Ecosystem Science and Management |
| Room 319 |
Room 328 |
| Animal Industries Building |
Animal Industries Building |
| Telephone: 845-7331 |
Telephone: 845-7331 |
| Email: f-smeins@tamu.edu |
Email: dbriske@rlem.tamu.edu |
TEXTBOOKS
*No textbook required
Lecture notes and a collection of reading materials (journal articles, book chapters, etc.) can be purchased at The Graphics Art Center-Printing Center, directly behind the Reed McDonald Building, 845-5841.
PREREQUISITES
RENR 205, 215; RLEM 203 or 204, 314 and 315
EXAMINATIONS AND OTHER REQUIRED WORK
| Two one hour examinations |
100 |
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100 |
| Final Examination |
100 |
| Problem Exercises, Reports |
200 |
| TOTAL POINTS |
500 |
Lecture Outline
Spring 2001
I. Introduction
A. Content, Organization, Logistics
II. Ecology
A. Definition and Subdisciplines
B. Hierarchy Theory
C. Levels of Organization
D. Ecosystem Structure and Function
III. Rangeland Ecosystems
A. Definition
B. Extent
C. Condition
IV. Plant Community/Ecosystem Characterization
A. Growth Form, Physiognomy
B. Floristics
C. Dominance
D. Vertical Stratification
E. Horizontal Stratification
F. Species Diversity
G. Successional Status
V. Rangeland Ecosystem Geography
A. Tropical Savannah
B. Desert (Arid Regions)
C. Mediterranean Ecosystems
D. Woodland/Shrubland
E. Temperate Grassland
F. Polar and High Mountain Tundra
G. Wetlands
H. Comparative Ecology of Selected World Rangeland Ecoloines
I. Texas Rangeland
VI. Controls on Vegetation Distribution, Composition & Production
A. Climate
1. Types, Classifaction
2. Processes
3. Variation
4. Influences on distribution composition & production
B. Physiography, Landform, Soils
1. Physiographic regions
2. Soil formation
3. Topo-edophic influences on distribution, composition & production
C. Fire
1. Historical role
2. Influences on distribution, composition & production
3. Interactions with other factors
D. Biotic
1. Herbivory
2. Mutualistic relationships
a. Mychorrizae
b. Rhizobium-legume
c. Nitrogen Cycle
E. Interaction of Climate, Soils, Fire & Herbivory
VII. Range Plant Ecophysiology
A. Introduction
1. Definitions & Scope
2. Ecological Significance
B. Whole Plant Photosynthesis
1. C3, C4, CAM pathways
2. Pathway-Environment Interactions
3. Ecological Implications
4. Response to Elevated Atmospheric CO2
C. Water Relations of Plants and Communities
1. Water potential concept
2. Soil-plant-atmosphere continuum
3. Plant water stress/resistance
4. Species Distribution and Productivity
D. Limitation of Productivity by Multiple Resources
1. Limiting resource
2. Interaction with disturbance
3. Transient Maxima Hypothesis
VIII. Community/Ecosystem Dynamics
A. Non-Directional Changes
1. Phenology
2. Replacement
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