ENVS 231: Introduction to Forest Resources

Credits
5
Clinical Hours None
Weekly Contact Hours
7
Course ID
092690
Meets Degree Requirements For
General Elective
Description

Focuses on the identification and inventory of forest natural resources including water, timber, flora, fauna and soils. Also includes study on how the interrelationships of these resources play in landscape ecosystems.

Grading Basis
Graded

Course Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes
  1. Operate tools and equipment commonly used in the natural resources field work.

    Problem Solving
    Critical Thinking
  2. Select and apply appropriate field techniques to sample, measure, and monitor timber, fish, and wildlife species and their habitat(s).

    Problem Solving
    Critical Thinking
Program Learning Outcomes
  1. Objectively predict, assess, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate perspectives of diverse stakeholders regarding natural resource problems and issues.

    Problem Solving
    Critical Thinking
    Quantitative Reasoning
    Social Interaction
    Collaboration
  2. Recognize the role of cultural diversity in resource management and describe the impact of the global distribution of people and wealth on resource use and valuation.

    Social Interaction
    Cultural Diversity
    Inquiry
    Research
Program Learning Outcomes
  1. Describe biotic and abiotic processes, including human impacts that influence ecosystems and contribute to ecological change.

    Problem Solving
    Qualitative Reasoning
    Communication
    Written Expression
  2. Utilize maps, aerial photographs, and land survey abilities in the management of natural resources, including geographic information systems.

    Problem Solving
    Quantitative Reasoning
    Qualitative Reasoning
Program Learning Outcomes
  1. Objectively predict, assess, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate perspectives of diverse stakeholders regarding natural resource problems and issues.

    Problem Solving
    Critical Thinking
    Quantitative Reasoning
    Social Interaction
    Collaboration
  2. Operate tools and equipment commonly used in the natural resources field work.

    Problem Solving
    Critical Thinking
Program Learning Outcomes
  1. Operate tools and equipment commonly used in the natural resources field work.

    Problem Solving
    Critical Thinking
  2. Select and apply appropriate field techniques to sample, measure, and monitor timber, fish, and wildlife species and their habitat(s).

    Problem Solving
    Critical Thinking
Program Learning Outcomes
  1. Select and apply appropriate field techniques to sample, measure, and monitor timber, fish, and wildlife species and their habitat(s).

    Problem Solving
    Critical Thinking
  2. Describe biotic and abiotic processes, including human impacts that influence ecosystems and contribute to ecological change.

    Problem Solving
    Qualitative Reasoning
    Communication
    Written Expression

Core Topics

  1. Identifying and knowing primary Northwest forest resources.
  2. Introduction to ecosystem health and the causes of the current health status, i.e, insects, carrying capacity, past management actions, and present actions.
  3. Introduction to carrying capacity of the land resource relative to the actions occurring upon that resource.
  4. Identifying and knowing primary Northwest habitat types.
  5. Introduction to using land/resource survey methods, statistical sampling, tools, and proper protocol for the determination of current forest resource status level.
  6. Determining natural and man-made actions that impact forest resources.
  7. Knowing the reasoning, importance, and data collection process within forest resource management.
  8. Introduction to forest restoration prescriptions to maintain and improve upon current forest health.
  9. Introduction to landscape resiliency management.
  10. Introduction and identification of reasons for forest resource decline.
  11. Introduction and identification of social-economic constraints that play an important part in natural resource management.