Learning Outcomes for Unit 5
- Explore the different biodiversity perspectives of the people in this case study of campus woodlot biodiversity.
- Discuss some of the processes that explain variation in diversity within spatial and temporal scales in a forest.
- List and define population, community, and ecosystem variables and processes that are thought to play a major role in forest ecosystems.
- Explain how carrying capacity can limit species distributions.
- Demonstrate how the interaction among species may impact species diversity; give examples of obligate and facultative interactions.
Exploring the University of Guelph Campus Natural Areas
This week we will focus on some of the factors that influence forest biodiversity and how we can ask questions that will help us discover explanations for patterns in diversity. In lecture we will explore different measures of diversity and discuss how abiotic factors influence the distributions of species. This is key information for understanding further information in woodlots on campus.
The “Inquiry Project” that will occupy your next several tutorials is based on the woodlots on campus and how these fit into the Campus Master Plan and the City of Guelph’s Official Plan and Natural Heritage System.
This week, we will learn more this week about the University of Guelph campus natural areas– and how these fit into the University and city’s plans for development. You will use this information to formulate questions that will be used to gather information concerning the conservation, management, and potential development of the respective woodlots.
Later, you will go into the field to assess woodlot biodiversity here on campus within the University of Guelph. You will also have an opportunity to explore the Dairy Bush and other campus woodlots using GigaPan panoramas and videos from throughout the year.
Exploring the University of Guelph Campus Natural Areas
This week we will focus on some of the factors that influence forest biodiversity and how we can ask questions that will help us discover explanations for patterns in diversity. In lecture we will explore different measures of diversity and discuss how abiotic factors influence the distributions of species. This is key information for understanding further information in woodlots on campus.
The “Inquiry Project” that will occupy your next several tutorials is based on the woodlots on campus and how these fit into the Campus Master Plan and the City of Guelph’s Official Plan and Natural Heritage System.
This week, we will learn more this week about the University of Guelph campus natural areas– and how these fit into the University and city’s plans for development. You will use this information to formulate questions that will be used to gather information concerning the conservation, management, and potential development of the respective woodlots.
Later, you will go into the field to assess woodlot biodiversity here on campus within the University of Guelph. You will also have an opportunity to explore the Dairy Bush and other campus woodlots using GigaPan panoramas and videos from throughout the year.
The Community Members
This week you will hear more from the community members who have concerns about this development. They will share with you their respective claims regarding the biodiversity in each of the campus woodlots. You can gather this information and use it to begin to build a concept map of the knowledge you have gained for all three woodlots. This will help in making your final decision about which woodlots should be protected, and which one should be developed.
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Dr. Doug Larson — emeritus Professor, University of Guelph
“This represents the hope for biodiversity.....this could always be a doubling of the size of the Dairy Bush.”
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Gwyn Govers — Graduate Student, University of Waterloo
“We see (invasive species) like Garlic Mustard around the edges and the paths.”
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Martin Neuman – City of Guelph Manager of Forestry
"If there is no development here, where is it going to be?"
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Gord Gavrilovic – University of Guelph Manager of Space & Facility Renewal
"The Campus Master Plan takes a 50 year view of how to preserve and enhance valued places on campus."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris Earley --– University of Guelph Arboretum Interpretive Biologist & Education Coordinator
“That's going to make this wild space, in the city limits, an island.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOU — new member of the University Community!
“What do I know about the biodiversity in each of the campus woodlots? How can I use this information to help inform my decision about development on campus?”
This week you will hear more from the community members who have concerns about this development. They will share with you their respective claims regarding the biodiversity in each of the campus woodlots. You can gather this information and use it to begin to build a concept map of the knowledge you have gained for all three woodlots. This will help in making your final decision about which woodlots should be protected, and which one should be developed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Doug Larson — emeritus Professor, University of Guelph
“This represents the hope for biodiversity.....this could always be a doubling of the size of the Dairy Bush.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gwyn Govers — Graduate Student, University of Waterloo
“We see (invasive species) like Garlic Mustard around the edges and the paths.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Martin Neuman – City of Guelph Manager of Forestry
"If there is no development here, where is it going to be?"
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gord Gavrilovic – University of Guelph Manager of Space & Facility Renewal
"The Campus Master Plan takes a 50 year view of how to preserve and enhance valued places on campus."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chris Earley --– University of Guelph Arboretum Interpretive Biologist & Education Coordinator
“That's going to make this wild space, in the city limits, an island.”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
YOU — new member of the University Community!
“What do I know about the biodiversity in each of the campus woodlots? How can I use this information to help inform my decision about development on campus?”