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Renewable Natural Resources

Science and Policy Seminar @ Davidson College

Ecological Concepts: Trophic Levels and Cascades

January 21, 2016 By Jose Balcazar

Trophic Levels in simplest terms is levels in a food web created in ecosystems with producers comprise the lowest trophic level, and primary consumers comprise the next upper level, and so on. This is usually seen in reference to a food pyramid, but it is important to note that it more similar to a cycle, where decomposers, although they feed off the remnants of the highest … [Read more...]

Ecological Concept: Habitat Fragmentation

January 20, 2016 By Jose Balcazar

Habitat Fragmentation occurs when an ecosystem is disturbed causing large portions of the ecosystem to split up into smaller, segregated pieces that may develop independently if the disturbance is very significant. Habitat Fragmentation can occur as a result of both natural and human causes; the best examples being the Colorado River(on the right) and the creation of Suburbs … [Read more...]

Ecological Concepts: Competitive Exclusion Principle

January 15, 2016 By Marisa Wilson

Competitive exclusion principle states that two species that attempt to occupy the same niche in an ecosystem will be in competition, leading one population to either go extinct or adapt to fill a different niche. This principle is the basis for many experiments in ecology. This theory is not so much useful in predicting the future as it is in explaining the past. It is hard … [Read more...]

Distribution Patterns

January 14, 2016 By jaalbrittain

Distribution patterns of organisms are spatial relationships of a population in its habitat. Basically, the question being asked is how the species is organized and how do they move? There are three general categories, random, clumped, and uniform. The scale of distribution patterns is also important to consider. Migratory bird such as ducks have changing distribution … [Read more...]

Ecological Concepts: Ecological Efficiency

January 14, 2016 By nebasnyat

Ecological efficiency is the amount of energy that is transferred from one trophic level to the next. This follows the 10% rule, which states that roughly 10% of the energy at one level will be available to be used by the next level. For example, on the pyramid below, producers are consumed by primary consumers. The consumers eat these producers, but only about 10% of … [Read more...]

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2016 Case Studies

  • Red Wolf
  • Fracking
  • Grazing Rights
  • Catawba River
  • Chesapeake Bay
  • Cod

Spring 2016

Tuesday/Thursday 12:15- 1:30pm
Chambers 3106

This interdisciplinary course will focus on developing a scientific understanding of natural resources and their use by humans, and how renewable resources are then used, overused, managed and conserved by humans. We will primarily consider modern methods of resource management, including adaptive and ecosystem-based management.

We will address natural resource and environmental issues from an ecosystem and a policy perspective. Through case studies, readings, class discussions, and knowledge construction, you will learn more about ecosystem ecology and management policies and approaches, and then apply your knowledge to identify management principles that are consistent with a more holistic ecosystem approach to resource management. You will apply your knowledge to develop a case study of use and management of one natural resource.
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