Course Overview
Students will develop an understanding of ecosystem components and management of ecosystems in B.C., learn to understand and use the Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification system, develop competency in site diagnosis, use Regional Field Guides and become familiar with the appropriate Forest Practices Code Guidebooks. Plants and their identification will focus on structure, physiology, taxonomy and indicator value of plants in ecosystems. Plant (emphasis on trees) reproduction, distribution and ecological significance will be covered. Ecosystem based plant collections will be required. Soils will emphasize the development and classification of soils in an ecological context. The student will learn to interpret climate, site, vegetation and soil processes for ecosystem management. Forest Practices Code requirements for using soil knowledge will be examined and practiced. Both the engineering and plant growth aspects of soils will be developed.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
6.0
- Retired
- This course has been retired and is no longer offered. Find other Flexible Learning courses that may interest you.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, the student will be able to:
- Understand the principal factors of climate, organisms, relief, parent material and time which develop and maintain ecosystems.
- Identify basic rock types and their significance to ecosystems.
- Be able to use the hydrologic cycle to explain the roles of water in ecosystem processes.
- Recognize and interpret basic soil characteristics of texture, coarse fragment content, landform, humus form, drainage, depth.
- Identify coastal trees and 75 or more common indicator plants in the coastal forests using field guides.
- Be able to use the Vancouver Region Field Guide to classify sites according to The Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification.
Effective as of Fall 2003
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.