FOREST DYNAMICS

This course will consist of a series of student led seminars on topics related to forest dynamics. Typically students will be expected to read three papers per week in preparation for class. Students will also be expected to give demonstrations of techniques that are useful in the study of forest dynamics. The following topics will be discussed:

1. Introduction
2. Quaternary Forest Dynamics
3. Dendroecology
4. Fire Ecology
5. Wind Ecology
6. Gap Dynamics
7. Forest Pathogens
8. Influences of Pollution
9. Insects
10. Succession
11. Old Field Succession
12. Gradients
13. Markov Models
14. Simulation Models
15. Forest Landscape Dynamics
16. Old Growth Forests

Demonstrations will include the following:

1. The North American Vegetation Survey
2. Ordination techniques and the use of PC-Ord
3. Dendroecology
4. Forest Simulation Models

Grades will be based on the following:

Quizzes 30%

Participation 20%

Presentations 50%