Learning Outcomes for Unit 4
This week, we will have several major learning objectives. As usual, these will be accomplished by a combination of online, in class, and tutorial components. After this week, you should be able to:
This week, we will have several major learning objectives. As usual, these will be accomplished by a combination of online, in class, and tutorial components. After this week, you should be able to:
- Explore the different needs and perspectives of the characters in this case study of woodlot biodiversity.
- Identify woody plants using your Woodlot Biodiversity field guide.
- Explore the campus woodlots using the various digital media available.
- Define richness and abundance as used in an ecological context.
- Describe abiotic variables/components and discuss how variation in abiotic variables might influence species distribution
Introduction to Inquiry Case #2: Forest Biodiversity
The second Inquiry Case deals with forest biodiversity. In particular, we will focus on the biodiversity that can be found in woodlots on the University of Guelph campus. The question that we are asking involves the development of spaces on campus – and how Natural areas, such as the campus woodlots, are included in these development plans. In this inquiry case, you will be introduced to several members of the city and the University community as they describe their experience with these natural areas and how the University incorporates them into plans for the future.
The second Inquiry Case deals with forest biodiversity. In particular, we will focus on the biodiversity that can be found in woodlots on the University of Guelph campus. The question that we are asking involves the development of spaces on campus – and how Natural areas, such as the campus woodlots, are included in these development plans. In this inquiry case, you will be introduced to several members of the city and the University community as they describe their experience with these natural areas and how the University incorporates them into plans for the future.
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One aspect of life on this campus that you may not be aware of is the Campus Master Plan. We will be referring you to specific parts of this document that throughout this inquiry case. It is LARGE and in the past was freely available online so that the decisions the University makes about its future are transparent to the community at large. We have added a copy to Dropbox so that you can see it. Drop the University a line if you think that it should remain in public view! In this inquiry case – we are going to ask you formulate your own opinion about specific development plans Doing so will require you to use both traditional and digital information. Your course field guide (Woodlot Biodiversity 2nd edition) was written by Dr. Steve Newmaster (Department of Integrative Biology) and members of the Guelph Herbarium, including several undergraduate students.
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The field guide will help you navigate some of the causes and consequences of forest biodiversity and introduce you to over 450 species commonly found in woodlots on or around the University of Guelph campus including the Arboretum, Dairy Bush and Brown’s Woods. This will include common organisms such as trees, shrubs, herbs, ferns, mosses, lichens, birds, mammals and their tracks. This is only the beginning of the voyage and we encourage you to share your discoveries as we learn together and expand our knowledge of biodiversity in woodlots.
In addition to the field guide you will also explore the UofG campus forests using digital media including high-resolution panoramic photos (GigaPans), photos, sound files, videos and GIS files (Google Earth). These varied information sources will allow you to travel in time and space so you can explore the campus woodlots through different seasons and years and share your discoveries with others.
To do this, you will need to ensure that your personal computer first has the following free programs installed.
GIGAPAN
GigaPan is an online panoramic photograph viewing software that requires that you have Adobe Flash Player installed on your computer. It likely already is – but in case not (http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/).
If you have the Adobe Flash Player installed on your computer, below, you should see a 360 GigaPan panorama taken in spring 2014 in the University of Guelph Arboreteum.
In addition to the field guide you will also explore the UofG campus forests using digital media including high-resolution panoramic photos (GigaPans), photos, sound files, videos and GIS files (Google Earth). These varied information sources will allow you to travel in time and space so you can explore the campus woodlots through different seasons and years and share your discoveries with others.
To do this, you will need to ensure that your personal computer first has the following free programs installed.
GIGAPAN
GigaPan is an online panoramic photograph viewing software that requires that you have Adobe Flash Player installed on your computer. It likely already is – but in case not (http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/).
If you have the Adobe Flash Player installed on your computer, below, you should see a 360 GigaPan panorama taken in spring 2014 in the University of Guelph Arboreteum.
You can explore all the GigaPans from around campus in a single gallery here, while the GigaPan above is here.
These panoramas can be annotated using “snapshots” where a specific portion of the panorama is captured and you describe what you see. You are all encouraged to take as many “snapshots” of the campus diversity as you can! Share the things you find, or the questions you have, with the class.
GOOGLE EARTH
Google Earth is an easy to use, powerful and free Geographical Information System (GIS) software should be installed on your computer in each of two ways.
1. An plugin for your internet browser (http://www.google.com/earth/explore/products/plugin.html) and;
2. As standalone software (http://www.google.ca/earth/download/ge/agree.html). Google Earth will open file types with a .kmz or .kml file extension that you will find throughout this Inquiry Case.
To confirm you have installed the stand alone Google Earth program download the kml file here (www.uoguelph.ca/~salex/BIOL1070-140609.kml) that contains all the same information as above.
If you can see all these features – CONGRATULATIONS – you’re ready to explore!
These panoramas can be annotated using “snapshots” where a specific portion of the panorama is captured and you describe what you see. You are all encouraged to take as many “snapshots” of the campus diversity as you can! Share the things you find, or the questions you have, with the class.
GOOGLE EARTH
Google Earth is an easy to use, powerful and free Geographical Information System (GIS) software should be installed on your computer in each of two ways.
1. An plugin for your internet browser (http://www.google.com/earth/explore/products/plugin.html) and;
2. As standalone software (http://www.google.ca/earth/download/ge/agree.html). Google Earth will open file types with a .kmz or .kml file extension that you will find throughout this Inquiry Case.
To confirm you have installed the stand alone Google Earth program download the kml file here (www.uoguelph.ca/~salex/BIOL1070-140609.kml) that contains all the same information as above.
If you can see all these features – CONGRATULATIONS – you’re ready to explore!
