Lecture topics

BIOL3144 Ecology

Textbook: Smith & Smith. Elements of Ecology. Benjamin Cummings, 5th Edition

Take-home assignments (click here). Check often for updates.
 

Test study topics:
                Test 1 Click here
                Test 2 Click here
                Test 3 Click here
                Test 4 Click here
                Additional topics for the final test (the final test will cover all topics included into tests 1-4, plus these additional topics)

Topic #

Theme

Handouts

Chapters

Pages

 

Introduction

PowerPoint     PDF

 

 

1

Science and scientific method

PowerPoint     PDF

1

3-10

2

Ecological applications and case studies

PowerPoint     PDF

 

 

3

Effects of abiotic factors: Climate

PowerPoint     PDF

3, 30

37-54, 597-623

4

Effects of abiotic factors: Soils

PowerPoint     PDF

5

79-98

5

Adaptation and natural selection

PowerPoint     PDF

2

11-33

6

Plant adaptations to the environment

PowerPoint     PDF

6

101-122

7

Animal adaptations to the environment

PowerPoint     PDF

8

137-168

8

Population biology: Distribution and abundance

PowerPoint     PDF

9

171-184

9

Population biology: Population growth

PowerPoint     PDF

10

185-201 375-378

10

Community ecology: Species interactions (3 subtopics below)

PowerPoint     PDF

11, 14

203-217 269-288

10A

Competition

PowerPoint     PDF

11, 14

203-217 269-288

10B

Exploitation

PowerPoint     PDF

15, 16

289-328

10C

Mutualism and commensalism

PowerPoint     PDF

16

309-328

11

Community structure

PowerPoint     PDF

13

241-267

12

Community dynamics

PowerPoint     PDF

17

329-347

13

Ecosystems: Structure and Function

PowerPoint     PDF

20

395-415

14

Nutrient and Biogeochemical Cycling

PowerPoint     PDF

21-22

417-447