SUNY ESF
Winter Ecology

(EFB 484/684) - 3 credits

 

Instructor

Stacy A. McNulty (SAM)
Adirondack Ecological Center
6312 State Route 28N, Newcomb, NY 12852 
 smcnulty@esf.edu

Course Description

This lecture and field course explores adaptations of animals and plants for surviving the winter in northern latitudes.  The course presents species identification, natural history, behavior, ecology and winter strategies. One hour per week of asynchronous on-line instruction, plus ten-days of field instruction during one weekend in February and during March break in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.  Spring Semester.  Evaluation of students is based on 1) participation in classroom and field experiences, 2) oral critique of a scientific article on winter adaptations, 3) proficiency in a written final examination and 4) maintenance of a field journal.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this course, students should be able to:

1. Describe organisms' morphological, physiological and behavioral adaptations to living in the cold for vertebrates, invertebrates and plants.
2. Demonstrate field methods to measure and describe the importance of attributes of snow, ice, vegetation and landform to survival of animals and plants in winter
3. Show proficiency with preparation for winter field work including for data collection and navigating with compass, maps and geographic positioning system (GPS)
4. Perform biological monitoring protocols appropriate for winter field conditions (e.g., live-trapping of small mammals, camera-trapping, vegetation mapping, water chemistry).
5. Document observational field data in writing
6. Create and present a high-quality oral/slide presentation on winter adaptations of animals and answer questions about the presented material
7. Critically evaluate data and literature and understand ecological research

Schedule

(subject to change; weather dependent)

February Weekend

 

March Week