Module 18

York University
Ontario Universities Program in Field Biology

Course Title : Alpine Ecology in Glacier National Park, USA and Banff National Park, Canada.
Instructor(s) : Dr Christopher Lortie and Dr Ragan Callaway
Date(s) : July 12-23rd, 2010
Location : Glacier National Park, USA and Banff National Park, Canada.
Cost : $1000 (includes accommodation, food, and local transportation).
Airfare to Missoula, Montana is the responsibility of the student.
Prerequisites :

Ecology and biostatistics.
Description :

There is an acute need for ecological studies at geographic scales in order to understand how plant communities will respond to global change.  There have been many predictions of how warming may influence plant communities, and long-term measurements have documented substantial changes in community composition that correlate with increasing temperature.  However, we still have a poor ability to predict future rates of community change, the mechanisms that drive such change, and how warming effects will vary biogeographically.  Climate change is the single-most important issue facing Canadians and our ecosystems.  Any factor that reduces climate change effects such as species extinction needs immediate study.  Mountain plant communities are particularly sensitive and home to many unique species.  In this course, we will firstly explore contemporary ecological theories as they apply to mountains and seek connections with the aim of better understanding community dynamics in light of changes in climate.  In week two, field research will be conducted to determine if alpine plants that form cushions and tolerate stress can buffer climate change effects and conserve other species (both plants and pollinators).  This research will provide students with a broad understanding of climate change, community ecology, and alpine ecology.
Logistics:  Students are responsible for airfare to Missoula, Montana.  We will then drive to Flathead Biological Station as our jumping off point into Glacier National Park for Week 1.  Week 2, we will drive north up into Canada to also collect data in Banff.  This course will involve a lot of hiking in the high alpine.
Enrollment : 14 students
Evaluation :

Summary of readings due first day of the course: 15%
Presentation critically analyzing theories on climate change (end of WK1): 15%
Final paper written in standard peer-reviewed paper format: 70%
Assignment(s) :  
Additional Information: