Prairie Ecology. Cr. 4

Daryl D. Smith, University of Northern Iowa

UI: 00L:122
ISU: Ia LL 422I

UNI: 890:122(g)

Basic patterns and underlying physical and biotic causes of both regional and local distributions of plants and animals of North American prairies; field and laboratory analyses and projects. Prerequisite: familiarity with basic principles in biological sciences and ecology. Meets July 7 to August 1, 2008.

Fieldwork will consist primarily of sampling of various prairie communities in northwest Iowa and selected communities in western South Dakota and north-central Nebraska. These data will be analyzed using standard community-analysis techniques. There will also be a six-day field trip to the Badlands and Wind Cave National Parks in South Dakota and the Sandhills of Nebraska. There are two required textbooks: North American Prairie by J. E. Weaver and An Illustrated Guide to Iowa Prairie Plants by Paul Christiansen and Mark Muller (University of Iowa Press, 1999). Weaver's book is not easy to find. If you can get a hold of a copy, bring it with you. If not, several copies will be available. The Christiansen and Muller book will be available for purchase on the first day of class. Two sets of field clothes are essential. A calculator, flashlight, sleeping bag, rain gear, hat, and work or hiking boots are needed for the western field trip. Field trip fee: $120.