{"id":495,"date":"2015-02-03T13:08:48","date_gmt":"2015-02-03T13:08:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/niuniversity.org\/?p=495"},"modified":"2015-02-03T13:08:48","modified_gmt":"2015-02-03T13:08:48","slug":"maecenas-mattis-tortor-ut-posuere-aliquam-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/niuniversity.org\/?p=495","title":{"rendered":"Arctic Field Ecology"},"content":{"rendered":"

Arctic Field Ecology \u2013 BIO300HF – Summer 2012<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Instructors:\u00a0 Roger Hansell and James Kushny<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Phone:\u00a0 (647) 285-1939; (416) 953-4069<\/p>\n

Email:\u00a0 roger.hansell@utoronto.ca<\/a>, james.kushny@utoronto.ca<\/a><\/p>\n

Course Location:\u00a0 Churchill, Manitoba at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre<\/p>\n

(CNSC), Canada.\u00a0 www.churchillscience.ca<\/a><\/p>\n

Address: CNSC, Box 610, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada R0B 0E0<\/p>\n

Business Phone: (204) 675-2307<\/p>\n

Fax: (204) 675-2139<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Dates:\u00a0 Sunday, August 12 to Saturday August 25, 2012<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Course Overview:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Students will have the opportunity to explore Canada\u2019s Arctic by investigating the arctic and boreal ecosystems and participating in ecological field research in Churchill, Manitoba, Canada.\u00a0 The course gives an introduction to the challenges that various organisms face living in the extreme arctic environment.\u00a0 The adaptations to life in the arctic will be introduced with emphasis on life-history parameters, reproduction and eco-physiology.\u00a0 The Arctic Field Ecology course will cover a broad range of disciplines including local natural history, plant ecology, snow and fire ecology, avian, mammalian and invertebrate biology, and the implications of climate warming and carbon budgets.<\/p>\n

The structure of the course will involve daily lectures and discussions of relevant scientific literature, and active participation in field study and data analysis.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Logistics:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Travel \u2013 The most economical route is to drive up to The Pas, Manitoba and take the train in to Churchill leaving Friday night from The Pas, arriving for breakfast in Churchill. Student VIA Rail tickets should be purchased two weeks ahead.\u00a0 Taking the train from Toronto is fun but expensive on the main line to Winnipeg.\u00a0 A really fun trip is Winnipeg to Churchill by VIA Rail \u2013 leaving Winnipeg on Thursday and arriving in Churchill on Saturday for breakfast.\u00a0 There are two departures from Winnipeg (to Churchill) per week.\u00a0 The fastest route is by plane from Toronto.\u00a0\u00a0 Departures from Toronto (Air Canada) to Winnipeg connect to Churchill on Friday.\u00a0 Calm Air is the carrier from Winnipeg to Churchill.\u00a0 Check for seat sales, they could save you half the cost, if in effect.\u00a0 Aeroplan Points may be used for both Air Canada and Calm Air travel but space is limited.\u00a0 Be sure to let the CNSC know your arrival time so that they can pick you up at the station or airport.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Accommodation – The CNSC is situated at the site of the former Churchill Rocket Range where the famous Canadian Black Brant rockets were tested and much of the research on the Upper Atmosphere has taken place.\u00a0 It is 15km east of the town of Churchill which has all facilities and lies at the mouth of the Churchill River.\u00a0 A brand new facility was opened in 2010 which includes new accommodations, dining room, laboratories and Wi-Fi (www.churchillscience.ca<\/a>). Students will be expected to share sleeping accommodations (2 bunk beds per room).\u00a0 There are showers, washing machines and dryers.\u00a0 The latter costs $7 per use due to water costs.\u00a0 Three meals a day are provided.\u00a0 Breakfast is at 7:30am until 8:00am, lunch is from 12:00pm to 1:00pm and dinner is from 5:30pm to 6:30pm.\u00a0 On many days we take a packed lunch into the field.\u00a0 In this case you will be expected to make up your sandwiches the night before.\u00a0 During the day coffee, tea, juice, fruit and cookies are usually available.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Safety – For many students this will be their first experience of the North.\u00a0 There are a number of safety concerns to bear in mind.\u00a0 These include hypothermia, insect bites, dense fog and the ever presence of Polar Bears around the Centre.\u00a0 Students taking the course must fully understand that they cannot go for walks unless accompanied by a designated person.\u00a0 This includes stepping out of the CNSC building to look at Aurora Borealis at night!\u00a0 On fieldtrips the group must stay together, students cannot wander from the group.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Course Materials:<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

An outline of lecture topics and provisional details of the field program is listed below.\u00a0 This is an intensive course with very little free time.\u00a0 There will be at least one lecture each day, usually in the evening, plus extensive work in the field.\u00a0 In the first week we will visit the tree-line, forest lichen, coastal wetlands, salt marches, rocky headland tundra, fens and lakes.\u00a0 In the second week you will design and carry out a three day individual project and report initial results in a seminar.\u00a0 You will be expected to keep a field notebook and there will be a plant, animal identification\/ecosystem test.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Evaluation:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Individual student reports (x3)\u00a0 30<\/p>\n

Plant and Animal Identification\u00a0 10<\/p>\n

Proposal & Outline of Project\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 5<\/p>\n

Final Project Seminar\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 15<\/p>\n

Written Final Project Report\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 40<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Reading List – Here is some recommended reading.\u00a0 It is not necessary to read each title.\u00a0 Remember, to learn about the Arctic you just have to be there!\u00a0 Some students will want to purchase (*11) and (*12) which will be available at the CNSC gift store.\u00a0 For an overview, review a basic text on ecology to get a sense of the vocabulary.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Bliss, L.D. (Ed.), 1977.\u00a0 Truelove Lowland, Devon Island Canada:\u00a0 A High Arctic Ecosystem.\u00a0 University of Alberta Press, Edmonton.<\/li>\n
  2. \u00a0Bliss, L.C., O.W. Heal, J.J. Moore (Eds.), 1981, Tundra Ecosystems:\u00a0 A Comparative Analysis.\u00a0 Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.<\/li>\n
  3. Bradley, R.S. 1985.\u00a0 Quaternary Paleoclimatology.\u00a0 Allen and Erwin, London.<\/li>\n
  4. Chapin, F.S., R.L. Jeffries, J.F. Reynolds, G.R. Shaver, and J. Svoboda (EDS), 1992, Arctic Ecosystems in a Changing Climate.\u00a0 Academic Press, London.<\/li>\n
  5. Chrnov, Y.I. 1985.\u00a0 The living Tundra.\u00a0 Cambridge University Press.<\/li>\n
  6. Dahnke, H.V. 1981 Arctic Arthropods.\u00a0 Entomological Society of Canada, Ottawa.<\/li>\n
  7. Dredge, L.A. 1992 Field Guide to the Churchill Region, Manitoba.\u00a0 Geological Survey of Canada Misc. Report 53.\u00a0 Ottawa.<\/li>\n
  8. Embleton, C. and C.A.M. King 1975.\u00a0 Periglacial Geomorphology.\u00a0 Arnold. London.<\/li>\n
  9. Hansell, R.I.C., J.R. Malcolm, H. Welch, R.L. Jefferies, and P.A.C. Scott.\u00a0 1998. Atmospheric Change and Biodiversity in the Arctic.\u00a0 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment.\u00a0 49:302-325.<\/li>\n
  10. Hulten, E. 1968.\u00a0 Flora of Alaska and Neighboring Territories.\u00a0 Stanford University Press, Stanford.<\/li>\n
  11. *Johnson, I.L. (2nd Ed) 1998.\u00a0 Wildflowers of Churchill and the Hudson Bay Region.\u00a0 Manitoba Museum of Man and Nature.<\/li>\n
  12. *Pielou, E.C. 1994. A Naturalist\u2019s Guide to the Arctic.\u00a0 University of Chicago Press.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

     <\/p>\n

    Topics which will be covered in lectures include:<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Patterns and processes in Arctic landscapes.<\/li>\n
    2. Tree-line processes at the limits of the Boreal Forest.<\/li>\n
    3. Geology of the Hudson Bay Lowlands.<\/li>\n
    4. Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation.<\/li>\n
    5. Wetland ecology in a cold climate.<\/li>\n
    6. Climatology of the Hudson Bay Lowlands.<\/li>\n
    7. Lichens, Bryophytes and Life-history strategies of arctic plants.<\/li>\n
    8. The dynamics of Arctic animals.<\/li>\n
    9. Soil Invertebrates in the North and aquatic invertebrates in semi-saline and fresh water.<\/li>\n
    10. Adaptations to life in cold climates.<\/li>\n
    11. Insect-plant interactions in the North.<\/li>\n
    12. Breeding birds of the Churchill Region and bird migration.<\/li>\n
    13. Non-linear processes in the Arctic.<\/li>\n
    14. High latitude energy and water balances.<\/li>\n
    15. Impacts of climate change on landscape, organisms and people in the arctic.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

       <\/p>\n

      Provisional Field Program, August 2012<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      Week 1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sunday 12th.\u00a0 Evening:\u00a0 Safety in dealing with Polar Bears; Life<\/p>\n

      Cycle Ecology of Polar Bears.<\/p>\n

      Monday 13th.\u00a0 Rocky bluffs at Churchill, Cape Merry; Churchill<\/p>\n

      Eskimo Museum; Parks Canada interactive exhibit<\/p>\n

      and presentation; birding at Port of Churchill ponds;<\/p>\n

      Beech Bay.<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      TBA:\u00a0 Coastal bluffs, Periglacial patterns and processes<\/p>\n

      Post glacial uplift and Sea level changes<\/p>\n

      Permafrost and active zone<\/p>\n

      Winter effects at tree-line<\/p>\n

      Twin Lakes Boreal Forest<\/p>\n

      Bryophytes and Fens<\/p>\n

      Bird Cove Salt Marsh<\/p>\n

      Show and tell quiz on animals, plants and environment<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      Week 2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Saturday:\u00a0 Visit to Fort Prince of Wales and Beluga whale watching<\/p>\n

      opportunity.\u00a0 Depending on availability, helicopter rides to view<\/p>\n

      Polar Bears.<\/p>\n

      Sunday:\u00a0 Discuss projects and prepare outlines<\/p>\n

      Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday:\u00a0 Research<\/p>\n

      Friday:\u00a0 Evening: short student seminars on preliminary results<\/p>\n

      Saturday:\u00a0 clean up, change bedding, pack and catch Plane\/Train<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      3rd week in September:\u00a0 Submit Final Project Report (written portion) plus illustrations and figures. Final due date: September 21, 2012.<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      **Important Reminders**<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      Payment of the remaining balance of your room and board fee is due on arrival in Churchill.\u00a0 Please come prepared.<\/p>\n

       <\/p>\n

      Clothing and gear:\u00a0 When the wind blows off the ice of Hudson Bay it is cold!!!\u00a0 You will need field boots and rubber boots, good rain gear and windbreakers and gloves.\u00a0 On the other hand it may go up to 30 degrees C and you could need insect repellent, a bug net or bug jacket and running shoes.\u00a0 Remember a hat, particularly if you are fair skinned.\u00a0 If you have insect collecting equipment, bring it, also field notebooks and pencils.\u00a0 Include cameras, binoculars if you have them.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Arctic Field Ecology \u2013 BIO300HF – Summer 2012 \u00a0 Instructors:\u00a0 Roger Hansell and James Kushny   Phone:\u00a0 (647) 285-1939; (416) 953-4069 Email:\u00a0 roger.hansell@utoronto.ca, james.kushny@utoronto.ca Course Location:\u00a0 Churchill, Manitoba at the Churchill Northern Studies Centre (CNSC), Canada.\u00a0 www.churchillscience.ca Address: CNSC, Box 610, Churchill, Manitoba, Canada R0B 0E0 Business Phone: (204) 675-2307 Fax: (204) 675-2139   Dates:\u00a0 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":428,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[8,10,13],"class_list":["post-495","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-courses","tag-elementum","tag-maecenas","tag-posuere"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/niuniversity.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/course-icon.png","jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4ajTi-7Z","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/niuniversity.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/495"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/niuniversity.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/niuniversity.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niuniversity.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niuniversity.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=495"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/niuniversity.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/495\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":496,"href":"https:\/\/niuniversity.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/495\/revisions\/496"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niuniversity.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/428"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/niuniversity.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=495"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niuniversity.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=495"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/niuniversity.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=495"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}