12/21/2024 6:13:11 PM	NRM 51 Course Outline as of Fall 2017	Changed Course
CATALOG INFORMATION
Discipline and Nbr:  NRM 51	Title:  WILDLAND TREE/SHRUB
Full Title:  Wildland Trees and Shrubs
Last Reviewed:12/12/2023

Units		Course Hours per Week			Nbr of Weeks	Course Hours Total
Maximum	3.00	Lecture Scheduled	2.50		17.5 max.	Lecture Scheduled	43.75
Minimum	3.00	Lab Scheduled	2.00		6 min.	Lab Scheduled	35.00
		Contact DHR	0			Contact DHR	0
		Contact Total	4.50			Contact Total	78.75
		Non-contact DHR	0			Non-contact DHR Total	0

Total Out of Class Hours:  87.50

Total Student Learning Hours: 166.25

Title 5 Category:  AA Degree Applicable
Grading:  Grade or P/NP
Repeatability:  00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP
Also Listed As: 
Formerly:  FOR 51

Catalog Description:

A study of the taxonomy, physiology, community and ecological relationships of trees and shrubs of the United States, with particular emphasis on California species. Analysis of the botanical and anatomical characteristics of these plants. Includes mandatory field trips.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:
Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

A study of the taxonomy, physiology, community and ecological relationships of trees and shrubs of the United States, with particular emphasis on California species. Analysis of the botanical and anatomical characteristics of these plants. Includes mandatory field trips.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:Eligibility for ENGL 100 or ESL 100
Limits on Enrollment:
Transfer Credit:CSU;
Repeatability:00 - Two Repeats if Grade was D, F, NC, or NP

ARTICULATION, MAJOR, and CERTIFICATION INFORMATION

Associate Degree:		Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
Area:	C	Natural Sciences
CSU GE:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
	B2	Life Science		Fall 1981
	B3	Laboratory Activity
IGETC:	Transfer Area			Effective:	Inactive:
CSU Transfer:	Transferable	Effective:	Fall 1981	Inactive:
UC Transfer:		Effective:		Inactive:
C-ID:

Certificate/Major Applicable: Both Certificate and Major Applicable

COURSE CONTENT

Student Learning Outcomes:
At the conclusion of this course, the student should be able to:

1. Students will be able to:

Identify, classify, compare, and collect various plant genera and species generally found in California and describe the basic ecological requirements.

Objectives:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Identify a wide variety of trees and shrubs based on various morphological features based on

     the binomial method of plant nomenclature.

2. Use a dichotomous plant key and typical field guides effectively to identify specimens.

3. Classify and identify trees and shrubs based on the binomial method of plant nomenclature.

4. Compare and contrast the various plant genera and species within the North Coast Range and

     Sierra Nevada.

5. Evaluate the intrinsic and economic value of trees and shrubs, and the economic impact of the

     non-native/invasive species, and their role in forest sustainability.

6. Distinguish among common forest community types of the Western United States, with

     particular emphasis on California.

7. Determine basic ecological requirements of common forest trees and shrubs.

8. Collect, mount, and identify plants in order to compile a plant collection.

Topics and Scope

I. Physiology and Morphology of Trees and Shrubs

     A. Plant morphology

     B. Physiology of various plant parts and their function

     C. Morphology and physiology of flowering parts

II. Plant Communities and Succession

     A. Autoecology of plants and its effect upon plant distribution

     B. Synecology and key plant indicators

     C. The effect of the environment on the distribution of plant communities

III. Tree Growth and Function

     A. Photosynthesis and the effect of light upon growth and regeneration

     B. Tree measurements - (Height, diameter, increment growth, etc.)

     C. Dendrochronology

     D. Leaf morphology and characteristics

     E. Physiological Growth Habits of Trees

     F. Climatic effect upon trees and growth habits

     G. Taxonomy

          1. Trees

          2. Branches without leaves

IV. Taxonomy and Physiological Growth Habits of Shrubs

     A. Environmental characteristics of shrub communities

     B. Soil types and moisture effects upon shrubs

     C. Succession in shrub communities following disturbance (ie: fire)

     D. Taxonomy of shrubs

V. Soils

     A. Basic soil composition and type and effects of plant/tree distribution and growth

     B. Moisture and its effects upon distribution of plants

VI. Composition and Distribution of California Ecosystems

     A. Wetlands

     B. Riparian Woodlands

     C. North Coast forest

     D. Klamath Region

     E. Pinyon-Juniper

     F. Sub-alpine forests

     G. Oaks

     H. Chaparral

     I. Redwood forest

     J. Douglas Fir forest

     K. Closed cone forest

     L. Valley Riparian

     M. Foothill woodland

     N. Mixed conifer

     O. Giant Sequoia groves

VII. Species Identification

     A. Plant keys

          1. Introduction to plant taxonomic system and botanical nomenclature

          2. Classification

     B. Compiling a collection

VIII. Plant Collections

     A. Methods of gathering and preserving plant materials

     B. Mounting techniques

     C. Proper labeling of mounted specimens

Assignments:

Representative assignments:

1. Assigned textbook readings, 15 -20 pages per week

2. Field work: including tree and shrub species identification

3. Compile a plant collection consisting of at least 50 properly identified and labeled specimens

4. Field notes from field trips (4)

5. Six quizzes; three lab plant identification tests; and final exam

Methods of Evaluation/Basis of Grade.

Writing: Assessment tools that demonstrate writing skill and/or require students to select, organize and explain ideas in writing.		Writing 10 - 20%
Field notes
Problem solving: Assessment tools, other than exams, that demonstrate competence in computational or non-computational problem solving skills.		Problem Solving 10 - 15%
Field work; identification
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 10 - 15%
Compile and label plant collection
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 60 - 70%
Quizzes and Exams: True/false, matching items, completion, lab identification
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 10%
Attendance and participation

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

How to Identify Plants. Harrington, H.D. Ohio University Press: 1997 (classic)

Introduction to California Plant Life. Ornduff, Robert and Faber, Phyliis and Wolf, Todd. University of California Press: 2003 (classic)

North American Trees (5th). Preston Jr., Richard and Braham, Richard. Iowa State Press: 2003 (classic)

Familiar Trees of North American, Western Region (Audubon Society Pocket Guides). Franklin, Jerry N. Knopf: 1987 (classic)

Trees and Shrubs of California. Stuart, John and Sawyer, John. University of California Press: 2001 (classic)

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