Tropical Ecology
Instructor
Glenn R. Matlack
508 Porter Hall
telephone: 704 593 1131
Office hours by appointment
e-mail: matlack@ohio.edu
Meeting times
Lectures: Mon/Thurs 1:10 - 2:30
Labs: Mon 3:10 - 4:00
Tropical forest communities are no different from temperate-zone forests in their basic ecological principles, but they differ enormously in their rich diversity of species, the bizarre and wonderful forms expressed in tropical species, and the marvelous complexity of interactions among plants and animals. Accidents of climate, geography, and evolution have produced ecological communities so strange that they shake our confidence in the biological "truths" arrived at in the temperate zone. Unfortunately, these communities are under threat from varied forms of human exploitation. This course explores the diversity of life and complexity of ecological relationships in tropical forest communities, emphasizing contrasts with temperate-zone communities. Although the course essentially focuses on vegetation and plant-adaptation, the interaction of plants and animals remains a central topic. Human uses and abuses of tropical systems are considered.
The
goals of this course are to:
1) acquaint students with major tropical forest species and ecosystems,
2) to explore the complex interspecific relationships distinctive to tropical
communities, and
3) to consider the nature of human impact in such systems, with an eye
to long-term sustainability. The underlying theme of the course is evolutionary,
seeking to understand the features and behavior of species in the context
of natural ecological communities. Labs will focus on a) hands-on, greenhouse
familiarity with important tropical plant families, and b) management
issues in various tropical regions.
Although this is essentially a course in plant biology, a special effort is made to accommodate interested students from other disciplines. All are welcome!
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