Fall 2024 - REM 471 D100

Forest Ecosystems and Management (4)

Class Number: 4165

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Sep 4 – Oct 11, 2024: Tue, Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

    Oct 16 – Dec 3, 2024: Tue, Thu, 12:30–2:20 p.m.
    Burnaby

  • Prerequisites:

    One of REM 100, or GEOG 100 or 111, or EVSC 100 or BISC 102; and 45 units.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

Forests are critical components of the earth system and provide diverse ecological, economic, social, and cultural services. They are also a source of conflict regarding their conservation and use. Students will begin by examining the ecological characteristics of forest ecosystems and disturbances pertinent to North America. This knowledge will then be applied to evaluate tools of forest management for a variety of goals and objectives. The final section of the course will examine challenges and opportunities in the management of British Columbia’s forested ecosystems, including Indigenous Protected Conservation Areas, carbon accounting, and wildfire management. This course will involve lectures, group work, assignments, and possible field trips.

COURSE DETAILS:

Students will begin by examining the ecological characteristics of forest ecosystems and ecological disturbances pertinent to North America. We will then evaluate tools and structures of forest management for a variety of goals and objectives. The final section will examine challenges and opportunities for forest management in British Columbia under climate change and altered disturbance regimes.

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

The education goals for this course include:

  • Develop an understanding of the structure and dynamics of forest ecosystems
  • Understand the role of disturbance in forest ecosystems and management
  • Critically evaluating socio-ecological impacts and the future of forest management in BC

Grading

  • 3 Quizzes 30%
  • 3 Assignments 45%
  • 1 Midterm 25%

Materials

MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:

  • Students may benefit from using a laptop in classes and tutorials. The SFU library has free, 4-hr loans of laptops: https://www.lib.sfu.ca/borrow/borrowmaterials/laptops-equipment/borrow-laptop
  • The campus-wide demand for library laptops is high and the library often runs out quickly. If you need to use the library laptops, you should show-up early at the library check-out desk.

REQUIRED READING:

A number of online (electronic) readings including reports, journal articles and newspaper/magazine articles will be made available on CANVAS throughout the term.

REQUIRED READING NOTES:

Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.

Registrar Notes:

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS

SFU’s Academic Integrity website http://www.sfu.ca/students/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating. Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the university community. Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the university. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the university. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.