BIO 115 - ECOLOGY OF THE NATIONAL PARKS -WHERE KNOWLEDGE, WONDER, AND CELEBRATION UNITE-

Term III Summer 2010

4 credit hours

This course is a scientific yet sensitive examination of five of our National Parks: Grand Canyon (North Rim), Zion, Bryce, Tetons, and Yellowstone. Ecological principles will be studied through an extensive camping experience during which each student will participate in a minimum of 90 hours of instruction. The field portion of this course will take place from 7/09/10 to 7/27/09. It is our sincere hope that during this experience the student will become an integral part of the area they are studying. Emphasis shall be placed on viewing and understanding our national parks as diversified ecosystems and their relevance and importance to the biosphere today. Students are required to attend a series of pre-trip lectures/seminars plus read material covering basic ecological principles. After completion of the field work the students will complete a final project dealing with basic ecological principles of a selected park. This project can be either individual or group and will be tailored to the specific interests and needs of each student

Dr. Richard Firenze, Chairperson-Biology F-107 778-5067 - rfirenze@stny.rr.com Dr. William Hollister, Biology – F-113 hollisterwr@sunybroome.edu Dr. Victor Lamoureux, Biology – F-113 vlamoureux@stny.rr.com

BIO - 115

Summer - 2010

ECOLOGY of the National Parks

“EDUCATION IS NOT THE FILLING OF A VESSEL, BUT THE LIGHTING OF A FLAME”

Socrates

“THE SUPREME ACCOMPLISHMENT IS TO BLUR THE LINE BETWEEN WORK AND PLAY”

Toynbee

A thought to guide us from the Belle of Amherst

But nature is a stranger yet; The ones that cite her most

Have never passed her haunted house, Nor simplified her ghost.

To pity those that know her not

Is helped by the regret That those who know her, know her less

The nearer her they get

Emily Dickinson

Just a few dates, announcements, reminders, and thoughts: July 5th 9 am – 1 pm F-102. Class meeting. Assignments due. July 8th 10 am.... Meet at 901 Front St. to pack the van and trailer. -Hints - pack all your clothes in plastic bags since the trailer has been known to leak. It must all fit in one bag, preferably one slightly smaller than the state of Montana. Your sleeping bag and mat should also be packed in plastic. They do not have to fit in your duffel bag. Remember you will not have access to this bag until we reach the Grand Canyon. Do not pack anything you will need prior to that point. Pack your flashlight in your daypack. -If you have not handed in your emergency form prior to now bring it with you. You will not be allowed to participate until that form is handed in. Sorry, it's just one of those necessary rules. -If you are bringing a bike, bring it today. We will do our best to accommodate as many as possible. NO guarantees. July 9th - Meet at 901 Front St. at 5:45 AM, that's right, 5:45 AM! We will be departing at 6:00 AM SHARP! Be on time, it's a long walk to the Grand Canyon. Safety is our first priority for the entire trip and it begins with the ride out. -Bring your daypack for the overnights on the trip out. We do not know exactly where we will be staying the night of the 9th and 10th. This flexibility is needed to account for traffic and construction delays. Where we stay keep in mind the rooms are non-smoking. Please respect that. -You may want to bring a pillow and some snacks. It's a long, long, long, long, ride. Pack a flashlight in your daypack for our first night Zion -You may park your car at BCC for the duration of the trip. Let us know ASAP if you intend to do this so we may contact security. July 11-12. North Rim Campground – Grand Canyon National Park July 13-15. Watchman Campground – Zion National Park

July 16-17. Sunrise Campground – Bryce National Park July 18. Travel Day – Stay somewhere in Salt Lake City Area. July 19-20. Grand Teton National Park July 21-23. Lake Campground – Yellowstone National Park July 24-26 Return to Binghamton Questions - If you have any, please call. Remember there is no such thing as a stupid question. Well, actually there is, but we will do our best to answer those also. PS Did we mention it's a long ride?

FLEXIBILITY!! KINDNESS!! COMPASSION!!

BIO 115 LEARNING OUTCOMES

It is our hope that by participating in this course each student will gain an appreciation for, as well as understanding of, the following:

• General ecological principles. • The use of scientific methodology in the study of ecology. • The uniqueness of the National Park Ecosystems. • The importance of wilderness areas as a vital component of the world

community. • The influence and impact of the human population on these areas. • One’s self

ASSIGNMENT I

You must complete the following objectives prior to our class meeting on July 5th. They are to be checked by a faculty member.

GENERAL The student should be able to:

1. locate all five parks on an unmarked map of the United States. This may seem a trivial task but we assure you it is not.

2. state the year each area was made a national park. 3. identify at least two non-native (exotic/introduced) species found in each

park and discuss the ecological problems associated with their introduction.

4. list the five parks we will be visiting in order of relative altitude.

GRAND CANYON

1. list the five “life zones” or “ecological zones” found at the GC. 2. define springs, seeps (tell why these are so ecologically significant), stock

tanks, and ephemeral pools. 3. define fault line, monocline, and locate the Bright Angel Fault on a map of

the GC. 4. discuss what ecological conditions determine the three forest type found

at the GC. 5. identify, by both age and name, the oldest and youngest rock formation

found at the GC and state the actual age of the canyon itself. 6. tell what percentage of the earth’s geological history can be found at the

GC. 7. define stromatolites and tell where they would be found at the GC. 8. explain what is meant by “an asymmetry between rapid downcutting and

slow widening resulted in the GC rather than a more typical……river valley.”

9. explain the difference between a montane meadow and an upland subalpine grassland and tell where they would be found at the GC.

10. define cryptogamic crusts and tell their ecological significance. 11. locate the Coconino and Kaibab Plateaus on a map of the GC. 12. discuss the ecological issues that ensued when the Glen Canyon Dam

was completed in 1963. What is meant by the “High Flow Experiment?” 13. define boreal zone and endemic. 14. it is said that there are 129 vegetation communities in the GC and that

their distribution is influenced by climate, geomorphology, and geology.

What is meant by these terms? What is the difference between climate and weather?

15. define metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary rock. Where in the canyon would you find these?

16. make sure you examine the NPS-VIEWS-Grand Canyon Geology Slide Show located on the website.

ZION

1. define Colorado plateau, Great Basin, Basin & Range, and Mojave Desert. 2. explain why the geographic location of Zion gives rise to such a rich

diversity of life. 3. discuss the origin of the name “Zion.” 4. define the Grand Staircase and be able to draw a schematic of the

staircase identifying the location of the Grand Canyon, Bryce and Zion. 5. define sedimentation, lithification, and erosion and discuss their role in the

formation of Zion. 6. define Riparian, Arid Grassland & Desert Shrub, Pinyon-Juniper forest,

Ponderosa Pine Forest, Mixed Conifer and Aspen Forest and tell where these habitats are found in the park.

7. define succulent, stem succulent, areoles, xerophytic ferns and give some adaptations of these plants.

8. field identify Fremont Cottonwood, Ponderosa Pine, Utah Juniper, and Singleleaf Pinyon Pine.

9. define and discuss the four “cultural periods” of human habitation of Zion. 10. tell us – who was Isaac Behunin?

BRYCE

1. discuss the origin of the name “Bryce.” 2. define the following geological features: slot canyon, plateau, fin, natural

bridge, window, hoodoo, joint. 3. explain the process by which the various geological formations in Bryce

are formed. 4. explain how the formation of the Bryce Amphitheatre differs from the

historical geological events that led to the formation of Zion/Grand Canyon.

5. list some of the minerals responsible for the white, gray, reds/pinks, yellows, and purples in the geological structures in Bryce Canyon.

6. list three endangered species in Bryce Canyon. 7. list the predominate flora found in as one climbs in altitude within Bryce

Canyon through the Upper Sonoran, Transition, and Canadian Zones

GRAND TETONS

1. list the trees that populate the forests of the following zones within the

Grand Tetons: the alpine zone, the valley floor, riparian corridors and wetlands.

2. list in which of the above habitats you would most likely spot the following mammals: pikas, bighorn sheep, elk, mule deer, beavers, bison, coyotes, pronghorns, muskrats, moose.

3. define ecotone. 4. define the following terms: foothills, pyramidal peak, arête, cirque, and

moraine. 5. explain why the Grand Tetons have no foothills on their east side. 6. describe the early Native American inhabitants of the Upper and Lower

Snake River and how their cultures were different based on geographical location.

7. describe the effect of the following relative to Snake River life: the cultivation of arable land along the Snake River, damming of the river, and the arrival of fur trappers in the region.

ASSIGNMENT II

Choose two plant species and two animal species that are endemic and/or indigenous to each of the parks will be visiting. You are to become an “expert” each of these. Of course that means you will become an expert on a total of 20 species. Attempt to choose species that we will have an excellent chance of encountering during our stay and that may be a keystone species of that area. You will be discussing these species while we are at the appropriate park. Once you have chosen your species you should send your choice to Dr. Firenze as soon as possible. He will keep a list. First come – first served. Once a species has been chosen it is no longer available for others.

Again we suggest you begin by visiting the actual website that each of these parks has available. They all contain valuable information with several links that should give you all the information you need to do an excellent job. If you need any copying done for handouts we will be happy to have it done for you but you must let us know at least one week in advance. If you have any questions just let us know.

WHAT TO BRING! Please keep this one thought in mind; there are two types of travelers, those who pack light and those who wished they did. Be in the first category. CLOTHING ACADEMIC sweatshirts - 2 journal jeans - 2 notebooks light jacket pencils/pens rain jacket t-shirts- both long & short sleeve shorts socks -lots sneakers/hiking boots hat (a must) flip-flops (for the shower) swimming apparel knit hat/gloves PERSONAL CAMPING toothbrush sleeping bag deodorant pad soap pillow shampoo flashlight towels - 2 batteries dish/bowl/cup/glass/KFS camelback pain reliever water bottles cold medication sun block aloe personal medication camera cell phone -EVERYTHING EXCEPT YOUR SLEEPING BAG, PILLOW, AND PAD MUST ALL FIT INTO ONE LARGE DUFFEL BAG. PACK EVERYTHING IN PLASTIC BAGS. REMEMBER, THIS BAG WILL BE PACKED AWAY ON July 9th. YOU WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO IT UNTIL YOU REACH ZION. -YOU WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO LAUNDRY - BUT WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO? PACK ENOUGH-BUT NOT TOO MUCH. -PACK A 3 DAY PACK FOR THE TRIP ACROSS COUNTRY. PUT YOUR FLASHLIGHT IN YOUR DAY PACK.

- WE WILL BE AT ELEVATIONS IN EXCESS OF 8000 FEET. IT CAN GET A

BIT CHILLY UP THERE. BE PREPARED. - WE WILL ALSO BE IN TEMPERATURES IN EXCESS OF 100 F. A

CAMELBACK OR SEVERAL WATER BOTTLES ARE A NECESSITY. - YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR YOUR MEALS AS YOU TRAVEL

CROSS COUNTRY AND ON OUR TRIP FROM BRYCE TO TETONS (SEVEN DAYS).

- IF YOU PLAN ON BRINGING A BIKE IT SHOULD BE OF THE MOUNTAIN BIKE VARIETY.

Top 10 Rules for BIO 115 • Music with headphones only. • Quiet after 10:00 pm in the campground. • Do not ask instructors to purchase or transport alcohol.

No alcoholic beverages will be permitted in the van or trailer.

• No smoking in the presence of a nonsmoker. • Ask for any food before you take it (unless it’s yours). • Inform faculty if any problems that surface. • Be flexible. • Be on time and help out when needed • Do not feed or handle any of the wildlife. • Have fun! (while obeying the first 9)

I understand that any behavior on my part that is determined to be detrimental to either the course or the group will result in my immediate return to Binghamton at my own expense _________________________________________________

Student Signature

BIO 115 Ecology of the National Parks

This form must be complete and handed in prior to departure!

EMERGENCY FORM

NAME ___________________________________ ADDRESS ________________________________ ________________________________ ________________________________ PHONE ___________________________________ INSURANCE POLICY (Company and #s) ____________________________________________ CONTACT PERSON NAME __________________________________ __________________________________ PHONE DAY __________________ EVE __________________