PLPR 511
RANGELAND
AND
FOREST ECOSYSTEMS
Course Content
(Click here for course description)
Course Objective
The objective of the course is to provide graduate students majoring in range science and forestry with knowledge of fundamental concepts of structure and functions of rangeland and forest ecosystems and their application to the management of rangeland and forest resources.
Upon completion of the course, students are expected to accomplish the followings:
· Ability to understand the interrelations of biotic and abiotic components of ecosystems
· Ability to understand the ecosystem functions
· Ability to put this knowledge into practice in relation to rangeland and forest management
Reference Books
References are available at loan disk, Prince Salman Central Library
|
REF#1 |
Chapin, F. S., P.A. Matson and H.A. Mooney. 2004. Principles of Terrestrial Ecosystem Ecology. Springer. 436 p. |
|
REF#2 |
Evans, D.D. and J.L. Thames. 1981. Water in Desert Ecosystems. US/IBP Synthesis Series 11. Dowden, Hutchinson & Ross, Inc. Stroudsbeurg, PA. 280p. |
Other Sources of Reading Material
Students are encouraged to visit the following sites for more information:
Student Assessment
Students will be assessed on the following basis:
· One term-paper writing & presentation on one topic related to course subject (30%)
· One med-term take-home exam (30%)
· An open-book final exam (40%)
Grading will be based on the percentage of total points earned in the exams and other course requirements as follows:
|
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 not be allowed to sit for the final exam, and 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.
Lecture Schedule
|
Week |
Topic |
Supplementary Reading |
|
1 |
Concept of ecosystem |
REF. #2, Chapter 1,2,3
REF. #1, Chapter#1 |
|
2 |
Ecosystem components |
REF. #1, Chapter#5 |
|
3 |
Ecosystem functions |
REF. #1, Chapter#6 |
|
4 |
Ecosystem functions |
REF. #1, Chapter#7 |
|
5 |
Ecosystem functions |
REF. #1, Chapter#8 |
|
6 |
Take-Home Exam Due |
|
7 |
Biodiversity in rangelands and forests |
Diversity conservation of rangeland and forest plants in Saudi Arabia |
|
8 |
Term-Paper Due – Student Presentation |
|
9-15 |
A colleague from the forestry section will cover the rest of the course |
|
16 |
Final Exam |
Sample Exam
Click here to view