Landscape Ecology

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Landscape Ecology (BIOL 4330) - Fall 2023

Hybrid modality: Synchronous online via Zoom and live

Tu & Th 11:00 a.m.-12:20 p.m., Human Sciences 306

Important note: remote (Zoom) students must have access to a Windows PC

Professor: Dr. Nancy E. McIntyre
        420 Biology Bldg. 

Office hours: call 806-834-7977 or email nancy.mcintyre@ttu.edu to set up an appointment

Teaching assistant: Sean Sutor

424 Biology Bldg.

Office hours: email sean.sutor@ttu.edu to set up an appointment

Landscape ecology is the study of the effect of spatial patterns on ecological processes and how those processes in turn create environmental patterns, often (but not exclusively) at spatial extents larger than are traditionally studied in other fields of ecology. This field represents an awareness among ecologists that spatial patterning cannot be ignored nor environments assumed to be homogeneous for logistical convenience; rather, spatial patterning is now recognized to be a dynamic force in ecology and not just a statistical nuisance. Fundamental principles of landscape ecology serve as foundations for decision-making and problem-solving in conservation biology, natural resource management, and other sustainability endeavors.

Course structure: From its origins, landscape ecology has had a strongly quantitative focus, and so we have a hands-on computer lab portion to this course. In lab, students will learn how to measure spatial heterogeneity and analyze its effects on plants, animals, and humans. Students will work through exercises to gain first-hand proficiency with the questions asked in landscape ecology and the methods used to answer those questions.

Expected learning outcomes: Upon successful completion of course requirements, students will:

• be able to explain the guiding principles of landscape ecology;

• appreciate spatial heterogeneity and discuss its effects on biological processes affecting individuals, populations, and communities, such as dispersal, risk of extinction, and diversity;

• be able to obtain, process, and analyze spatial data, using software packages that are standards in the field, including ArcGIS Pro and various R packages;

• have skills that will allow them to apply landscape ecological principles in research settings; and

• understand why such skills are necessary to conservation and natural resource management.

Methods for assessing learning outcomes: (1) lab exercises, (2) final project presentation.

The course grade is composed of the following: There are no exams; your grade is based on:

• homework assignments (lab exercises) (65%)

• a 5-10 minute final project Powerpoint presentation (35%)

  • • Specific details will be forthcoming, but this project will have students apply skills learned in the course to address a practical research objective: quantitatively characterizing landscape structure for a species of interest. You will download freely available landcover data and organism location data from a citizen-science database, process them in ArcGIS Pro, analyze them with landscapemetrics in R, and interpret the output. The end product will be a PowerPoint presentation that gives an overview of the species and its habitat requirements, your methods, and your findings. This project will build upon skills from week to week and serves in lieu of a final exam.

Please take careful note of the homework due dates; no late assignments will be accepted. Because achieving mastery of content is the most important outcome of this class, everyone will have the opportunity to make an appointment to come see me or the TA to discuss any parts of your homework where you did not receive full points; demonstration of understanding of why you had something marked wrong and of what the correct answer is will result in full credit being awarded for that question. This must be done within a week of your homework being returned to you. Furthermore, the assignment must be complete to be eligible for resubmission.

Materials needed for this class:

• Computer: Access to a computer that runs the Windows operating system is required to successfully complete this course. The lab computers already have the required software installed. For students taking the course remotely, you must have access to a Windows PC. This requirement is because ArcGIS Pro, which we will be using a great deal in this class (since it’s a crucial bit of software that is important for landscape ecologists to be able to use), does not run on Apple products or other operating systems. This isn’t my doing; ArcGIS Pro was built to run only on a Windows platform.

  • • If you want to install ArcGIS Pro on your home computer, the minimum hardware requirements needed are at: https://pro.arcgis.com/en/pro-app/latest/get-started/arcgis-pro-system-requirements.htm.

    • A smartphone will not be sufficient; you need access to at least a large tablet, laptop, or (preferably) a desktop with multiple monitors.

    • There are computers in the Main Library’s ATLC that have ArcGIS Pro that you can use.

    • A limited number of laptops are available for loan from TTU’s IT Division; use your TTU email address to send an email request to verify.ithelpcentral@ttu.edu and provide your phone number, Tech ID number (R number), and equipment requested. You should request that ArcGIS Pro and the other software needed for this class (see below) be installed or be allowed to install it yourself.

    • Please report technical issues to Dr. McIntyre or the TA immediately. Depending on the issue, you may also need to contact IT Help Central at 806-742-HELP or ithelpcentral@ttu.edu.

• Storage: A 64 GB (minimum size; preferably 128 GB) flash drive, external harddrive

• Internet connection: A reliable Internet connection (preferably high-speed) is required to download data and upload assignments.

• Software:

  • • ArcGIS Pro – you will be given instructions on how to download it

    • R – https://cran.r-project.org/bin/windows/base/   

    • RStudio – https://www.rstudio.com/products/rstudio/download/

    • Adobe Reader – this lets you read PDFs - https://get.adobe.com/reader

    • 7-Zip – this lets you compress/uncompress large files and folders - https://www.7-zip.org/download.html

    • Zoom – https://zoom.us

TTU’s official policies concerning academic honesty, special accommodations for students with disabilities, student absences for observance of religious holy days, and accommodations for pregnant students: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/tlpdc/RequiredSyllabusStatements.php

Absences & missed assignments: Make-up assignments will be given only in the event of a satisfactory, written excuse (e.g. doctor’s note or TTU-sanctioned absence). Please be advised that absences for clubs and club sports teams, even if they are recognized TTU Student Organizations, are technically considered unexcused absences as per the TTU Operating Policies and Procedures Manual 34.06.  

Important note: I will send out announcements and assignments via email; please make sure that I have your current TTU email address on file, and check to ensure that emails from me are not going to your Junk folder. You will also use email to turn in your assignments.

Recommended references: There is no required textbook, but I highly recommend the following books for those students who plan on going into this field of study:

• Wiens, J.A., M.R. Moss, M.G. Turner, and D.J. Mladenoff, eds. 2007. Foundation Papers in Landscape Ecology. Columbia University Press.

• With, K.A. 2019. Essentials of Landscape Ecology. Oxford University Press.

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