| Southern Appalachian Ecology
October 16 - 18, 2009 - Course is full October 15 - 17, 2010 Learn about the ecology of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, particularly as it relates to Great Smoky Mountains National Park, through discussions and field trips. Topics will include geological history, plant community distribution, how aspect, elevation, and moisture gradients affect distribution, and an overview of plant communities with a focus on the major forest types. Field trips will include visits to examples of many of these forest types. Goal: To provide students with a basic knowledge of plant communities and the factors that affect their distribution. 2009 cost: $260 per person 2010 cost: $274 per person |
Already Registered for our 2009 Southern Appalachian Ecology course? Welcome Letter |
Specific objectives of this course are:
1. To provide a practical application of ecological theory as it applies to plant community distribution.
2. To introduce the student to key primary sources of literature regarding plant communities in the Southern Appalachians and to assist the student in his/her understanding of those resources.
3. To introduce the student to the impacts of non-native species on the plant communities in GSMNP.
4. To introduce the student to major plant communities within GSMNP and to their compositional flora.
Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Describe how geology and glaciation affected the present day plant communities seen in the Southern Appalachians.
2. Describe how abiotic factors (aspect, elevation, temperature, and moisture) affect the vegetational communities within Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
3. Describe Whitaker’s system for classifying plant communities in Great Smoky Mountains National park and how it can be used.
4. Describe how exotic species are affecting the Southern Appalachian Mountains
5. Identify major plant communities and forest types along with their indicator species.
