BOTANY 1320 Prairie Ecology

A. General Course Objectives: 
Upon successful completion of the course the student should be able to do the following: 

   1. Demonstrate an understanding of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem and its relationship to other grasslands  
   2. Identify prairie flora and fauna 
   3. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the climate, geology, and disturbances that shape the prairie  
   4. Compare native prairie remnants and restorations 
   5. Demonstrate a basic understanding of and effectively participate in ecological studies, restoration, or management activities of prairie 

B. Topical Outline: 
   1. Introduction to Prairies  
   2. Origin of North American grasslands: influence of climate and geology  
   3. Comparison of North American grasslands and other grasslands  
   4. Human influences: Native Americans and post-European settlement  
   5. Associated habitats: wetlands and savanna  
   6. Ecology of Prairies Plant adaptations  
   7. Population dynamics  
   8. Community structure  
   9. Nutrient cycling and disturbance  
   10. Soils and microorganisms  
   11. Prairie and landscape structure  
   12. Prairie conservation and restoration  
   13.  Prairie preserves and remnants  
   14. Prairie restoration and reconstruction methodology  
   15. Prairie management