Spring 2024 - GEOG 315 D100
World Ecosystems (4)
Class Number: 2185
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 8 – Apr 12, 2024: Wed, Fri, 2:30–3:20 p.m.
Burnaby -
Exam Times + Location:
Apr 15, 2024
Mon, 8:30–11:30 a.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Lance Lesack
llesack@sfu.ca
1 778 782-3326
Office: RCB 7225
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Prerequisites:
GEOG 215 or BISC 204.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Distribution, structure, function, and dynamics of the world's major biomes. Attention to comparative aspects among terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and to environmental problems associated with the biomes.
COURSE DETAILS:
This course examines the distribution, structure, function, and dynamics of the major biomes/ecosystems of the planet. The comparative aspects among terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems are emphasized, and current environmental problems associated with each of the biomes are examined.
Organization: Two one-hour lectures and one two-hour tutorial session per week. The final exam will be scheduled during the regular examination period. There will be no tutorial session in the first week of classes.
| Course Topics: | Ecosystem structure, function, & dynamics |
| Terrestrial Biomes | Temperate forests |
| Temperate grasslands | |
| Boreal forests | |
| Arctic and alpine tundra | |
| Tropical forests | |
| Savannas | |
| Deserts |
| Aquatic Biomes | Lakes |
| Rivers | |
| Ocean pelagic | |
| Ocean deep-water zones | |
| Coastal and reef ecosystems |
Grading
- Tutorial Participation / Assignments 15%
- Short Paper 10%
- Term Paper 30%
- Term Paper Presentation 10%
- Final Examination 35%
Materials
REQUIRED READING:
Custom Courseware Package. 2024. Readings in World Ecosystems. SFU Bookstore.
Additional readings (no required text) - will be assigned through the term, including the following:
Archibold, O.W. 1995. Ecology of World Vegetation. Chapman and Hall, 510pp.
Barnes, R.S.K., and K.H. Mann (Eds.). 1991. Fundamentals of Aquatic Ecology. Blackwell, 270pp.
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