Overview
Description
Analysis of ecological concepts involved in disturbance, retrogression, and/or degradation in Western US ecosystems, with survey of applied ecological practices used in restoration/rehabilitation.
A mix of in-person, field learning, and online learning materials and activities. Part of the integrated Fall REM course block (REM411-REM498-REM499-REM490). MANDATORY 2-week field trip. Students will be provided with a detailed full-semester schedule.
Requirements
Units
Lecture3
Catalog Details
Offering
Offered: Every Fall
Terms
fall
Core
CO13, CO14
Restrictions
Jr/Sr standing; Graduate Standing
Attributes
Standard
Learning Outcomes
- analyze theories of vegetation succession and how that may have shaped current ecological understanding.
- describe rangeland ecological processes and how these processes interact to determine the resilience of the ecological site.
- verify a given ecological site in situ and leverage associated information for restoration planning.
- describe how to apply various mechanical and chemical methods for rangeland rehabilitation.
- utilize standard approaches to assessing rangeland health (DIRH) to set restoration goals and objectives.
- analyze the scientific debates and ethical concerns within the context of restoration related to such issues as climate change, wild horse management, sage grouse habitat and others.
- apply a process-based framework for analyzing rangeland functional status and directing autogenic repair.
- utilize all of the above tools and information to develop restoration approaches for the repair of degraded wildlands.
- develop skills and competencies specific to the range profession.
- develop skills for understanding and working with people of diverse backgrounds or cultures.
- apply knowledge and skills developed by completing a comprehensive restoration and management plan of a rangeland area with a ten-year planning horizon.