Course Content
PPS 366: 3 crdt hrs (1+2)
Range Science. Distribution of rangeland vegetation around the world. Social and economic importance rangelands. Components and functions of rangeland ecosystems. Plant-animal relationship. Morphology and physiology of plants in relation to grazing. Stocking rate and rangeland carrying capacity. Rangeland condition and trend. Grazing systems. Management of poisonous and invasive species. Range animal nutrition. Wild life management in rangelands. Rangeland improvement and rehabilitation.
Course Outline
|
Week |
Topic |
|
1 |
Introduction (What is Rangelands; Human and rangelands; relation to other disciplines) |
|
2 |
Characteristics of a range plant (grazing resistance, persistence, palatability etc.) |
|
3 |
Characteristics of a range plant |
|
4 |
Plant morphology in relation to grazing process. |
|
5 |
Plant physiology in relation to grazing process. |
|
6 |
1st. Mid-Term Exam |
|
6 |
Range condition and trend |
|
7 |
Range carrying capacity |
|
8 |
Range utilization |
|
9 |
Stocking rate |
|
10 |
Rangelands in Saudi Arabia |
|
11 |
2nd. Mid-Term Exam |
|
11 |
Animal grazing distribution in rangelands |
|
12 |
Animal grazing distribution in rangelands |
|
13 |
Common grazing & Hema Systems |
|
14 |
Rangeland management for multiple use |
|
15 |
Range Rehabilitation and Improvement |
|
17 |
FINAL EXAM |
Textbook
Assaeed, A.M. (2001). Range Management -Principles and Practices. King Saud University Press. 630p. (Arabic translation of the textbook: Holechek, J.L., R.D. Pieper and C.H. Herbel 1998 (3rd ed.). Range management - Principles and Practices. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. 587p.).
References
Heitschmidt, R. K. and J. W. Stuth (1991) Grazing Managment: An Ecological Perspective. Timber Press, INC.
Lectures (Handouts)
§ المراعي الطبيعية والعوامل البيئية وتوزيع النباتات الطبيعية في العالم 
المراعي الطبيعية والعوامل البيئية
§ الملامح الجيولوجية للمملكة الملامح الجيولوجية للمملكة
* خصائص المجتمعات البدوية خصائص المجتمعات البدوية
* الحماية والحمى الحماية والحمى
§ الغطاء النباتي والوضع الراهن لأراضي المراعي في المملكة العربية السعودية الغطاء النباتي والوضع الراهن
§ إدارة المراعي ونـظم الـرعي ادارة المراعي ونظم الرعي
* إدارة المراعي في بعـض الـدول ادارة المراعي في بعض الدول
* المـراعي وإدارتـها في المملــكة العــربية السعوديـة المراعي وادارتها في المملكة العربية السعودية
Presentations
Rangelands of Saudi Arabia in pictures. مراعي المملكة العربية السعودية
Soil التربة
World Biomes البيئات العالمية
Carrying Capacity. 
Carrying Cap.pps
General
Agriculture and Food, Saudi Arabia.pdf
Forests, Grasslands, and Drylands, Saudi Arabia.pdf
Biodiversity and Protected Areas, Saudi Arabia.pdf
Climate and Atmosphere, Saudi Arabia.pdf
Costal and Marine Ecosystem, Saudi Arabia.pdf
Economic Indicatores, Saudi Arabia.pdf
Energy Resources, Saudi Arabia.pdf
Field Trips
At least five field trips are required. Trips to diffferent rangeland site where students learn range plants in relation to different range ecosystems, management, and grazing problems. Short reports are required for each field trip.
Raudhat Khuraim - روضة خريم.pdf
Examinations
There will be two 1-HOUR EXAMINATIONS during the semester, and a FINAL EXAMINATION. The final exam will be comprehensive. Grades will be based on the percentage of total points acquired in the examinations:
A+ ≥ 95% A = 90-94% B+ = 85-89%
B = 80-84% C+ = 70-79% C = 70-74%
D+ = 65-69% D = 61- 64% F < 60%
Attendance
Under the University regulations, students will fail the course if their absence exceeds 25% of the total number of lectures. A grade Denied (DN) will be shown in his transcript.