Oceanic Island Ecology

Course Objectives:
BIO 319 examines the biogeography of marine and terrestrial plants and animals on oceanic islands and adjacent waters. Examples include Bermuda, San Salvador, Galapagos and Hawaii. Learning is tested through weekly quizzes. This course is a prerequisite for BIO 320 Tropical Biology--San Salvador; students must pass BIO 319 with a grade of C- or better in order to participate in BIO 320 Tropical Biology--San Salvador. Students who plan to use the combination of BIO 319 and BIO 320 as one of the required BIO 3** courses in the biology major must also take and pass the final exam in BIO 319.

Pre/Co-requisites:
An introductory course in biology (BIO 115 Principles of Biology and BIO 125 Organismal Biology recommended) for use as an elective. For use to meet the 3** requirement for the biology major, BIO 221 Cell and Molecular Biology and BIO 234 Population Biology are additional Pre/Co-requisites.

Class Meeting Times:
3rd 5-week semester.
Wednesdays, April 11, 18, 25, May 2, and 9 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM in G104.
Final Exam: May 16 5:00 PM G104.

Assigned Readings:
Carlquist, S. 1981. Chance dispersal. Scientific American. 69: 509-516.
Case, T.J. and M.L. Cody. 1987. Testing theories of island biogeography. Amer.Sci. 75: 402-411.
Goreau, T.F., N.I. Goreau, and T.J. Goreau. 1979. Corals and coral reefs. Sci. Amer. 241(2): 124-136.

Supplemental Readings:
Sealey, N. 1998. Bahamian landscapes. 2ded. Media Publishing, Nassau, Bahamas.

Discussion Topics:

April 11	Geological origin of oceanic islands; Structure and organization of coral reefs
April 18	Quiz1. Theory of island biogeography (McArthur and Wilson); plant and animal dispersal mechanisms; colonization and establishment of pioneer populations
April 25	Quiz 2. Download Powerpoint (35 Mb) of: Habitats of Oceanic Islands: San Salvador. Abiotic and biotic factors on oceanic islands; colonization; habitat diversity; establishment of populations: San Salvador focus.
May 2	Quiz 3. Complete the San Salvador focus (headlands, inland lakes, caves). Download Powerpoint (0.244 Mb) of: Tides, Trophic Pyramids, Download Steve Palumbi's Green Reefs Video (5.3Mb) (requires Real Player software), Introduction to Cladistics.
May 9	Download Powerpoint (2.4 Mb) of: Evolution of organisms on oceanic islands (adaptive radiation, endemism, extinction): Hawaii focus Quiz 4. Download Powerpoint of: Preparation for field trip.
May 10	Optional: 5-8 PM Check your gear out and practice snorkeling at the ECSU Pool
May 16	Comprehensive Final Exam for those using course for Bio 3** requirement

Grading:
The course grade for BIO 319 will be based on participation (20%) and quizzes (80%). The course grade for students using BIO 319 and BIO 320 as one of the required BIO 3** courses in the biology major will be based on participation (20%), quizzes (40%), and the final exam (40%).

Accessibility:
If you are a student with a disability and believe you will need accommodations for this class, it is your responsibility to contact the Office of AccessAbility Services at (860) 465-5573. To avoid any delay in the receipt of accommodations, you should contact the Office of AccessAbility Services as soon as possible. Please note that we cannot provide accommodations based upon disability until we have received an accommodation letter from the Office of AccessAbility Services. Your cooperation is appreciated.

This page © Ross E. Koning 1994.

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