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

Day	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Friday		Lecture - Welcome, introduction and organization of course  Field Activity- Aquatic species	Lecture - Adirondack species part I
Saturday	Lecture - Track identification primer  Field Activity - Track identification  Lecture - Movements of white-tailed deer	Lecture - Protocol for trail cameras and snow morphology measurements  Field Activity- Trail camera set up and snow morphology measurements at group study sites	Lecture - Adirondack species part II
Sunday	QUIZ - Taxonomy of ADK Mammals Lecture - Winter ecology of white-tailed deer	Depart for Syracuse

 

March Week

Day	Morning	Afternoon	Evening
Sunday		Lecture - Welcome and organization of week  Lecture - Protocol for studying activity of small mammals  Field Activity - Establish live-trapping sites and snow morphology measurements	Lecture - Introduction: Adaptations to cold (thermoregulation and energy balance)  Field Activity - Set live traps and snow measurements
Monday	Field Activity - Monitor live traps and snow measurement Lecture - Fun Flaky Facts  Lecture - Torpor and hibernation	Lecture - Bears  Lecture - Body size, insulation, appendages and coloration	Lecture - Behavior  Field Activity - Set live traps and snow measurements
Tuesday	Field Activity - Monitor live traps and snow measurements Lecture - Moose  Field Activity - Snow shelter construction	Lecture/Field Activity- Mustelids Field Activity - Snow shelter construction continued	Grad Student Oral presentations Field Activity - Set live traps and snow measurements
Wednesday	Field Activity - Monitor live traps and snow measurements - conclude small mammal trapping Lecture - Increase in thermogenic capacity	Field Activity - Retrieve trail cameras/snow measurements Lecture - Richness and diversity indices	Oral presentations
Thursday	Lecture - Coyotes  Field Activity - Energy Loss	Lecture - Bats Lecture - Winter plants	Oral presentations
Friday	Lecture	Field Activity - Snowshoe and course culmination	TBA
Saturday	Final examinations (Lecture and Laboratory)	Student depart (noon)