12/27/2024 9:13:19 AM	NRM 51 Course Outline as of Fall 2024	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:

Students will study the taxonomy, physiology, and ecological relationships of trees and shrubs of Central and Northern California. Botanical and anatomical characteristics of these plants will be emphasized. Course may include field trips.

Prerequisites/Corequisites:

Recommended Preparation:

Limits on Enrollment:

Schedule of Classes Information
Description:

Students will study the taxonomy, physiology, and ecological relationships of trees and shrubs of Central and Northern California. Botanical and anatomical characteristics of these plants will be emphasized. Course may include field trips.

(Grade or P/NP)
Prerequisites:
Recommended:
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. Identify, classify, compare, and collect various plant species commonly found in Central and Northern California.

2. Describe the basic ecological requirements of those species.

 

Objectives:

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

1. Identify the botanical names of a wide variety of native trees and shrubs using various morphological features.

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

3. Classify trees and shrubs based on the plant taxonomic system.

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 ecosystem sustainability.

6. Distinguish among common plant community types of Central and Northern 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. Autecology 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

 

All topics are covered in the lecture and lab portions of the course.

Assignments:

Lecture-Related Assignments:

1. Weekly reading (15 -20 pages)

2. Quizzes (3-6) and final exam

 

Lab-Related Assignments:

1. Field identification of tree and shrub species

2. Plant identification tests (2-4)

3. Plant collection consisting of properly identified and labeled specimens (30-60)

4. Field notes from field trips (4)

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 - 20%
Field identification
Skill Demonstrations: All skill-based and physical demonstrations used for assessment purposes including skill performance exams.		Skill Demonstrations 20 - 50%
Plant identification tests; plant collection
Exams: All forms of formal testing, other than skill performance exams.		Exams 30 - 40%
Quizzes and final exam
Other: Includes any assessment tools that do not logically fit into the above categories.		Other Category 0 - 10%
Participation

Representative Textbooks and Materials:

Introduction to Forestry and Natural Resources. 2nd ed. Grebner, Donald and Bettinger, Pete. Academic Press. 2021.

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 ed. Preston Jr., Richard and Braham, Richard. Iowa State Press. 2003 (classic).

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

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

Instructor prepared materials

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