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ENR 2425 Mountain Environments

This course is designed to provide an introduction to the principles of general science using the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem as a focal point. Major topics to be covered are: mountain ecology and geography, glaciology, mechanisms of mountain formation, mountain climates and geomorphology, soils, vegetation and wildlife, and lakes and streams. Similarities and dissimilarities of the Wind River Range to other major mountain ranges of the North American Cordillera will be compared. (3 lect., 3 lab)

Credits

4 credits

Major Topics

  • Geographic and Ecologic Foundations of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and the Mountain Ranges within it
  • Mountain Formation: Plate Tectonics; Geologic time Scale; Theories of Mountain Origins; Mountain Types
  • Climate: Climatic controls; Climatic elements; Climate Science; Adiabatic lapse rate
  • Geomorphology: Weathering; Snow; Frost Action; Glaciology; Mass wasting; Stream action; Nivation; Wind action
  • Soils: Soil forming factors; Soil Types; Patterned Ground
  • Vegetation: Alpine; Subalpine; Montane; Foothills; Timberline; Adaptations; Survival Strategies
  • Wildlife: Mammals; Birds; Fish; Limiting factors; Adaptations; Survival strategies
  • Lakes and Streams: Types: Formations

Outcomes

In order to successfully complete this course, the student will:

1. Describe key geographic, geologic and ecologic principles associated with the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and its mountain ranges

2. Evaluate the means by which mountains are formed in relation to geologic time scales, major geologic processes

3. Identify key components of climate

4. Analyze implications of changing climates on mountain environments.

5. Evaluate the contributions of key geomorphologic principles in relation to mountain landforms.

6. Evaluate various types of soils in the foothills, subalpine and alpine ecosystems of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

7. Discuss vegetation and the associated life zones and ecoregions that correlate to different vegetation communities

8. Identify various mammals and life forms of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem

9. Analyze how these mammals adjust and adapt to different climate regimes, elevations, and seasons.

10. Discuss various types of streams; stream order and hydrologic principles

11. Discuss the formation of high mountain lakes and lake