Slide 1Week 1Slide 3TA: Rachel FernSlide 5IntroductionsSyllabusSlide 8Course Objectives:RENR 215 is a fieldwork based labSlide 11Americans With Disabilities ActSlide 13Slide 14eCampusTextbookGrades:AssignmentsGrading SchemeiPad contractiBook WorkbookSlide 22Tablets as a new method of data collection:Slide 24Ecoregions of TexasGlobal biogeographical regionsWhat is an ecoregion?Slide 28Slide 29Texas ecoregionsSlide 31Ecoregion StudyBig Picture: Texas EcoregionsNext weekRENR 215 FUNDAMENTALS OF ECOLOGYTA: Rachel FernWeek 1-Introductions-Syllabus-iPad sign in/out form-Ecoregions of Texas-Youtube Group ActivityTA: Rachel FernPhD studentWildlife & Fisheries ScienceOffice: Old Heep 217Office hours: Mondays 9-11AM* or by emailE-mail: [email protected]: Rachel FernFrom Fort Worth, TexasBachelor of Science, Wildlife Biology – Texas State UniversityCompiling a census of bats in west Texas (Elephant Mountain WMA)Urban nesting of Western KingbirdMaster of Science, Marine Biology – Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Center for Coastal StudiesNesting terns and skimmers on dredge material islandsAcute toxicity of oil dispersants in Blue Crab megalopaeAvian field biologist – Florida Atlantic UniversityReproductive success of nesting wading birds at Lake Okeechobee, headwaters of the Everglades.IntroductionsSyllabusRead through the syllabusGo over class scheduleCOURSE OBJECTIVESIntroduce students to the general principles, terminology, procedures, and equipment for field investigation of the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem and their interactions, specifically:Course Objectives:The design and procedure of field ecological investigation, data analysis, and report writingEcosystems found in Texas, species, special adaptations to their environmentsHave FUN!!!!RENR 215 is a fieldwork based labEveryone is expected to participate. oDress appropriately for field sessions: oProper shoes, clothing, sunscreen, bring wateroLab is never cancelled! Please always come to class oIf you want an ‘A’, you need to be well focused and attend all the labsoPeople attending all the labs and do a decent job usually get an ‘A’ or ‘B’oIf you miss labs your grade will continue to drop. Significantly!Missed lab policy-Labs may only be missed if there is a written, university recognized excuse -Up to 20 points will be taken off for absence without proper written excuse -If you will not be able to make a lab, arrangements should be made as soon as possible so you can go to another section NOTE: After Friday, you can not make up a missed lab as the equipment used is taken down in the afternoon-If you have a written, university recognized excuse, but can’t go to another section, contact the instructorBe prepared for extra work. Missing a lab is no fun-If you need to attend another section and it is a field lab, you may need to provide own transportationAmericans With Disabilities ActThe Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact Disability Services, in Cain Hall, Room B118, or call 845-1637. For additional information visit http://disability.tamu.eduPlagiarism - a word of caution!This class recognizes and complies with the following university position on plagiarism: "As commonly defined, plagiarism consists of passing off as one's own ideas, words, writings, etc., which belong to another. In accordance with this definition, you are committing plagiarism if you copy the work of another person and turn it in as your own, even if you should have the permission of that person. Plagiarism is one of the worst academic sins, for the plagiarist destroys the trust among colleagues without which research cannot be safely communicated.”Be aware that copied handouts, exams, syllabi, and materials of this kind are copyright protected. If you are unsure of plagiarism guidelines you should refer your questions to me or consult the latest issue of the Texas A&M University Student Rules.ECAMPUSMain method of communication!eCampuseCampus (you can access through Howdy portal or ecampus.tamu.edu) will be our main tool for announcements and discussion Announcements from the instructor will be posted in AnnouncementsAssignments will be submitted through assessments It is your responsibility to check for announcements on ECAMPUS.Textbook-Fundamentals of Ecology Laboratory Manual 3rd EditionAuthors: Ben Wu, Douglas R Slack, Fred E Smeins, R Douglas Slack PUBLISHER: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company-Fundamentals of Ecology Laboratory Workbook (Available on iPad and Ecampus as a PDF)Grades:Extra Credit Assignments +15 points (not offered on an individual basis)*Unexcused absences Attendance* 20 ptsQuizzes (4 @ 10pts each) 40 ptsLab assignments (points vary by assignment)85 ptsEcological report 60 pts Topic Presentation 20 ptsTotal (100%) 225 ptsAssignmentsAll assignments are due at the beginning of class on the date in which they are due.Grading SchemeA: 90-100%B: 80-89%C: 70-79%D: 60-69%F: <60%-Always participate-Don’t miss lab-Keep any graded assignments (at least until your grades are posted on ecampus)iPad contractiBook WorkbookIt is your responsibility to return the iPad to the dock, make sure it is powered down, and plugged in! Sign the iPads in/out everyday!Tablets as a new method of data collection:LOGIN TO IPADSIGN UP FOR ACCOUNTEXPLORE GUIDES AND EVERNOTE-EvernoteEcoregions of TexasGlobal biogeographical regionsWhat is an ecoregion?Ecoregions are areas that have similar climate, geology and soils. These abiotic (non-biological) factors determine what plants and animals can live in the ecosystem.Natural Regions and Subregions in Texas•Ecological region •A broad geographical area of some internal uniformity of climate, rocks, soil and living things that can be distinguished from adjacent areas •An ecological region is only one part of a spatial hierarchyScalesHierarchies are important in ecologyTexas ecoregionsIndex of Natural Regions and Subregions in Texas (EPA Level III ecoregions)1. 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