STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 I.      Recognize the major physiographic regions of Colorado and how they relate to neighboring states.

 II.     Demonstrate an understanding of basic ecological principles including ecosystems, energy flow, material cycling, food chains and webs, limits of tolerance, interactions between species and within species, distribution of species, succession, and population and community dynamics.

 III.    Apply the above concepts and demonstrate them in outdoor areas during field trips.

 IV.     Demonstrate familiarity with Colorado native plants, birds, insects, reptiles and amphibians, mammals, and geology and identify common examples of each in the field.

 V.      Use simple field equipment to gather data and view organisms. This could include: binoculars, insect nets, plankton nets, microscopes, plant presses, live trapping, and simple water and mineral tests.

 VI.     Demonstrate basic field and hiking safety.

 VII.    Apply knowledge of ecology to solve specific field questions.

 VIII.   Demonstrate knowledge of ecology by taking exams, writing field trip reports and doing class presentations.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      Ecosystem Concept.

 II.     Biotic Community.

 III.    Population Growth.

 IV.     Energy in the Ecosystem.

 V.      Food Chains and Webs.

 VI.     Laws of Thermodynamics.

 VII.    Limits of Tolerance.

 VIII.   Ecological Succession.

 IX.     Fire Ecology.

 X       Geology of the Front Range.

 XI.     Mountain Zonation.

 XII.    Plant Distribution Patterns.

 XIII.   Plant Identification.

 XIV.    Animal Identification.

 XV.     Animal Tracking.

 XVI.    Biogeochemical Cycles