Courses : Syllabi : 710
Geography 710 Human Impacts Upon Mediterranean-type Shrublands & Heathlands
Instructor
Course Description
Objectives of this seminar are twofold: 1) to gain a basic understanding and appreciation of the fundamental characteristics of mediterranean-type shrublands and heathlands, and 2) to examine the effects of human impacts upon these ecosystem types. To meet these objectives we will focus initially upon characteristics of the physical environment, regional surveys of appropriate vegetation types, and their structural and functional properties. In the second part of the seminar we will examine various types of human impacts upon mediterranean-type shrublands and heathlands. The great bulk of assigned readings will be taken from the “core” references below. Additional readings will be taken from a variety of other sources. The student presentations and research papers will allow participants to investigate further some aspect of the seminar theme that they are particularly interested in. In doing so, each will gain a more in-depth understanding/appreciation of their topic than would otherwise be gained through the assigned readings.
Prerequisites
Six units of upper division or graduate level courses in physical geography
Grading
Your grade in this course will be based on the following elements:
- Seminar Participation: 25%
- Oral Presentation: 20%
- Short Summary Paper (One page abstract): 5%
- Longer Summary Paper: 50%
Books and Materials
Core References:
- DiCastri, F., Goodall, D.W. and Specht, R.L. (eds.). 1981. Ecosystems of the World 11: Mediterranean-type Shrublands. Elsevier Scientific Publishing Co., Amsterdam.
- Specht, R.L. (ed.). 1979. Ecosystems of the World 9A: Heathlands and Related Shrublands. Elsevier Scientific Publishing Co., Amsterdam.
- Groves, R.H. and DiCastri, F. (eds.). 1991. Biogeography of Mediterranean Invasions. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
- Rundel, P.W., Montenegro, G., and F.M. Jaksic (eds.). 1998. Landscape Disturbance and Biodiversity in Mediterranean-type Ecosystems. Springer-Verlag, Berlin
- Barbour, M.G., Keeler-Wolf, T., and Schoenherr, A.A. 2007. Terrestrial Vegetation of California. (3rd edition). University of California Press, Berkeley
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic |
|---|---|
| Week One | Introduction: Mediterranean-type shrublands of the world |
| Week Two | Regional Survey: Various Features of the vegetation of the Mediterranean Basin. Heathlands and related shrublands of the world |
| Week Three | South African Heathlands |
| Week Four | Chaparral Sage scrub |
| Week Five | The matorral zone of central Chile |
| Week Six | Mallee ecosystems in southern Australia Heathlands of western Australia |
| Week Seven | Mediterranean-type shrublands and heathlands: various functional aspects Landscape disturbances in Mediterranean-type ecosystems: an overview |
| Week Eight | Biogeography of Mediterranean Invasions (Introduction & Historical Background; Higher Plants) |
| Week Nine | Biogeography of Mediterranean Invasions (Applied Aspects, Overview) |
| Week Ten | No Class Meeting – (Field Trip) |
| Week Eleven | Topics to be selected |
| Week Twelve | Topics to be selected |
| Week Thirteen | Preparation week (no meeting) |
| Week Fourteen | Student Presentations |
| Week Fifteen | Student Presentations |