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General Information

Course ID (CB01A and CB01B)
ESCID060.
Course Title (CB02)
Restoration Ecology
Course Credit Status
Credit - Degree Applicable
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Course Description
An introduction to ecological restoration. Includes a review of ecological theories as necessary for restoration based projects. The Cheeseman Environmental Studies serves as a laboratory for students project-based, experiential learning.
Faculty Requirements
Course Family
Not Applicable

Course Justification

This course is CSU transferable. It meets a general education requirement for °®¶¹´«Ã½ and CSUGE. This course covers ecological restoration as a strategy of environmental sustainability.

Foothill Equivalency

Does the course have a Foothill equivalent?
No
Foothill Course ID

Course Philosophy

Formerly Statement

Formerly Statement
(Formerly ESCI D020.)

Course Development Options

Basic Skill Status (CB08)
Course is not a basic skills course.
Grade Options
  • Letter Grade
  • Pass/No Pass
Repeat Limit
0

Transferability & Gen. Ed. Options

Transferability
Transferable to CSU only
°®¶¹´«Ã½ GEArea(s)StatusDetails
2GBX°®¶¹´«Ã½ GE Area B - Natural SciencesApproved
2GES°®¶¹´«Ã½ GE - Environment Sustainability and Global CitizenshipApproved
CSU GEArea(s)StatusDetails
CGB2CSU GE Area B2 - Life ScienceApproved

Units and Hours

Summary

Minimum Credit Units
5.0
Maximum Credit Units
5.0

Weekly Student Hours

TypeIn ClassOut of Class
Lecture Hours4.08.0
Laboratory Hours3.00.0

Course Student Hours

Course Duration (Weeks)
12.0
Hours per unit divisor
36.0
Course In-Class (Contact) Hours
Lecture
48.0
Laboratory
36.0
Total
84.0
Course Out-of-Class Hours
Lecture
96.0
Laboratory
0.0
NA
0.0
Total
96.0

Prerequisite(s)

Corequisite(s)

Advisory(ies)

EWRT D001A or EWRT D01AH or ESL D005.

Limitation(s) on Enrollment

Entrance Skill(s)

General Course Statement(s)

(See general education pages for the requirements this course meets.)

Methods of Instruction

Lecture and visual aids

Discussion of assigned reading

Discussion and problem solving performed in class

In-class exploration of Internet sites

Quiz and examination review performed in class

Homework and extended projects

Field observation and field trips

Guest speakers

Collaborative learning and small group exercises

Collaborative projects

Laboratory experience which involve students in formal exercises of data collection and analysis

Laboratory discussion sessions and quizzes that evaluate the proceedings weekly laboratory exercises

Assignments

  1. Completion of laboratory and field exercises such as bird surveys, plant species identification, ecological restoration, and other activities.
  2. Collaborative project on a course topic, requiring an oral and written deliverable.
  3. Final assessment including a synthesis of major themes of biodiversity, such as the value of preserving, protecting and restoring ecosystems, and the impacts on human systems, while considering the impacts of climate change.
  4. Assigned readings, videos, podcasts, and other resources.
  5. Written field/lab project.

Methods of Evaluation

  1. Completion of assigned laboratory and field exercises evaluated on comprehension of content.
  2. Collaborative project evaluated on level of effort, comprehension of material, and comprehension of course themes.
  3. Final examination emphasizing synthesis of material included on previous midterms and new material
  4. Written responses to the assigned readings, videos, podcasts, and other resources showing information literacy and comprehension.
  5. Successful completion of field/lab project evaluated for comprehension of course content.

Essential Student Materials/Essential College Facilities

Essential Student Materials: 
  • None.
Essential College Facilities:
  • Kirsch Center for Environmental Studies

Examples of Primary Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisherDate/EditionISBN
Rieger, J. P., Stanley, J. T., & Traynor, R. (2014). Project planning and management for ecological restoration.

Examples of Supporting Texts and References

AuthorTitlePublisher
Alden, P. and F. Heath.1998. "National Audubon Society Field Guide to California." Alfred A. Knopf, New York.
Wilson, E. O. (2010). The Diversity of Life: With a New Preface (2 edition). Cambridge, Mass: Belknap Press: An Imprint of Harvard University Press.
Stolzenburg, W. (2009). Where the Wild Things Were: Life, Death, and Ecological Wreckage in a Land of Vanishing Predators. New York: Bloomsbury USA.
National Forum on BioDiversity, In Wilson, E. O., In Peter, F. M., National Academy of Sciences (U.S.),, & Smithsonian Institution,. (1988). Biodiversity.
Maclaurin, J., & Sterelny, K. (2008). What Is Biodiversity?. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.
Laverty, M. F. (2008). Biodiversity 101. Westport, Conn: Greenwood Publishing Group.
Reaka-Kudla, M. L., Wilson, D. E., & Wilson, E. O. (1997). Biodiversity II : Understanding and Protecting Our Biological Resources. Washington, D.C.: National Academies Press.
Schlaepfer, M. A. (2018). Do non-native species contribute to biodiversity? PLoS Biology, 16(4), 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.2005568
Garrard, G. E., Williams, N. S. G., Mata, L., Thomas, J., & Bekessy, S. A. (2018). Biodiversity Sensitive Urban Design. Conservation Letters, 11(2), 1-1. https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12411

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

Course Objectives

  • Assess systems thinking and review environmental science topics, specifically ecological restoration and applications of environmental science.
  • Examine project design strategies.
  • Survey environmental components of ecological restoration, through peer reviewed sources.
  • Examine project implementation.
  • Create project aftercare plans.
  • Assess ecosystem diversity and the importance of ecological restoration in the California Floristic Province.
  • Discuss policies related to conservation,preservation, and destruction.

CSLOs

  • Utilize the knowledge gained through the understanding of natural systems functions to create a restoration project.

Outline

  1. Assess systems thinking and review environmental science topics, specifically ecological restoration and applications of environmental science.
    1. Assess framework for ecological restoration.
    2. Examine restoration project management, including defining the project.
  2. Examine project design strategies.
    1. Review site analysis such as reference site analysis and novel ecosystems.
    2. Examine design and design approach.
  3. Survey environmental components of ecological restoration, through peer reviewed sources.
    1. Examine water and soil.
    2. Examine plant material.
    3. Explore geographic information science.
  4. Examine project implementation.
    1. Analyze restoration project documents and processes.
    2. Learn construction and installation skills and theories of restoration projects.
  5. Create project aftercare plans.
    1. Examine maintenance and stewardship.
    2. Explore weed management and invasive species control.
    3. Assess monitoring and evaluation of project implementation and completion.
  6. Assess ecosystem diversity and the importance of ecological restoration in the California Floristic Province.
    1. Examine representation of California plant communities in the Cheeseman Environmental Studies area.
    2. Compile recommendations for Cheeseman Environmental Studies Area plant communities and management using knowledge gained in the course.
  7. Discuss policies related to conservation,preservation, and destruction.
    1. Discuss the societal behaviors and ideologies that lead to loss of biodiversity.
    2. Discuss the intersectionality of economic, social, and environmental variables of policies and programs that negate or create compromised biodiversity.
    3. Examine diverse perspectives and contributions in biodiversity using the Goldman Environmental prize recipient list as a guide for global representation.
    4. Discuss societal benefits of protection of biodiversity and the importance of civic engagement to communicate and represent the environmental sciences in leadership at all levels.

Lab Topics

  1. Ecological restoration research and project design.
  2. Ethnobotany and history.
  3. Site preparation, planning, management, and monitoring.
  4. California Floristic Province overview
  5. Field etiquette and protocol
  6. Open space management and geographic information science.
  7. Field survey (water, soil, land, species) and data analysis techniques.
  8. Field identification of wildlife and other environmental aspects of ecosystems
  9. Problem solving and scientific inquiry, including methodologies, testing, and hypothesizing.
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