ECOLOGICAL ISSUES OF THE GREAT PLAINS

FULFILLS:
BIOS 232, ACE 8; BIOS 296

NOTE:

• Ecological Issues of the Great Plains, BIOS 232, is a 3 credit course. We add BIOS 296 (1 credit) to make it 4 credits total; you will need to enroll in both.
• This course is open to students from all majors and has no prerequisite requirements; however, the course is not open to students who have completed BIOS 220, and it will not count toward a major in biological sciences (but it will count for ACE 8).

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Chad Brassil is an Associate Professor in the School of Biological Sciences.  He uses mathematics to understand questions across broad areas of ecology and evolution, from food web interactions to ageing. Following his PhD from the University of Toronto, he helped create an undergraduate summer courses at the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station teaching math concepts to biology students and field biology concepts to math students.  At the University of Nebraska, he has taught BIOS 207 Ecology & Evolution at Cedar Point Biological Station and regularly teaches LIFE 121 Fundamentals of Biology II on campus.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
Ecological Issues of the Great Plains at Cedar Point Biological Station will be structured around 3 major themes: grazing, water, and invasive species. Grazing issues include the historical importance of bison and the current impact of cattle on biodiversity. This will be highlighted in the Nebraska Sandhills ecosystem, as well as the consideration of cross-ecosystem influences. Water issues will examine the importance of water scarcity in structuring prairie ecosystems, along with the impact of irrigation and reservoirs, such as Kingsley Dam, on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Invasive Species issues will examine the population biology of invading species as well as the impact these non-native species have on communities.  Exotic plant species such as the thistle and cheat grass will be used as case studies. Each of these themes will be examined from a basic ecological perspective, and those ideas will be integrated into the relevant political and conservation issues facing prairie landscapes. Because the course will be located at a field station in the heart of the Great Plains, the course will include regular research at ecological sites, meetings with stakeholders, and tours of facilities. The course is ACE 8 certified, and will therefore include discussions of literature on conservation principles and environmental ethics. This course is open to students from all majors, and has no prerequisite requirements; however, the course is not open to students who have completed BIOS 220, and it will not count toward a major in biological sciences (but it will count for ACE 8).