EVR 1357 - Wetland Resources

College of Natural Sciences

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Fall 2018 (550)

Requisites

((Prerequisite ENC 0025 with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite REA 0017 with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite MAT 0028 with a minimum grade of C) or
(Prerequisite EAP 1695 with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite MAT 0028 with a minimum grade of C) or
appropriate score on the college placement test.) and
Pre- or Co-requisite EVR 1001C with a minimum grade of C

Course Description

This course will introduce the student to the ecology and management of wetlands habitats. It will introduce the physical, biological and chemical factors that influence wetlands, as well as variations in these factors that serve to differentiate different wetlands types. The course will also introduce past and present representative legislation that impacts wetland preservation and management.

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will identify wetland types and recognize their hydrology by:
    1. differentiating between the currently accepted wetlands categories.
    2. justifying the need for wetlands definition variation.
    3. describing how hydrological variation affects wetlands development.
  2. The student will examine biological, chemical, and physical factors associated with wetland ecology by:
    1. identifying the soil types and soil horizons associated with wetland habitat.
    2. describing the appropriate vegetation community with each wetlands type.
    3. analyzing water sources and periodicity inherent to the wetland types.
    4. applying the appropriate indicators to correctly identify wetlands communities for regulatory purposes.
    5. differentiating chemical cycling between wetlands habitat.
  3. The student will evaluate the environmental values and ecosystem services associated with wetland functions by:
    1. explaining the role of wetlands in maintaining water quality.
    2. describing the use of wetlands to sequester carbon and other chemicals, and relating it to climate change.
    3. appraising the health of a wetlands by species richness indices.
    4. justifying the use of wetlands habitat in mitigation issues.
  4. The student will distinguish between the federal, state and local regulations governing wetlands and how they affect the development and protection agencies by:
    1. describing differences in the definitions of wetlands habitats between agencies involved in wetlands delineation.
    2. demonstrating the proper application of the tenets of the Clean Water Act to wetlands habitat protection and mitigation.
    3. describing microbial systems related to water pollution.
    4. compiling the proper documentation needed for wetlands designation at the federal, state and local level.
    5. contrasting wetlands protection at various regulatory levels involved in the wetlands process.
  5. The student will explain and execute current wetlands restoration technology by:
    1. documenting the process of wetlands restoration.
    2. assessing the outcomes of historical wetlands restoration.
    3. identifying successful standards for evaluation of restoration projects.
    4. applying ecological restoration theory to the process of wetlands restoration.
  6. The student will demonstrate employability skills by:
    1. completing a job application.
    2. exemplifying competence in job interview techniques.
    3. identifying or providing appropriate responses to criticism from employer, supervisor, or other persons.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of each of the above stated objectives through classroom measures developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

Effective 20101(0430). Amended prerequisites effective 20112(0450). C&I Approval: 05/25/2010, BOT Approval: 07/22/2010, Effective Term: Spring 2012 (450).
C&I Approval: 02/09/2018, BOT Approval: 04/17/2018, Effective Term: Fall 2018 (550)

Related Programs

  1. Environmental Science Technology (ENVSC-AS) (635) (Active)
  2. Sustainability Management (SUSMGT-BAS) (640) (Active)
  3. Sustainability Management (SUSMGT-TR) (670) (Active)
  4. Water Quality Technician (WQT-CT) (635) (Active)