SALT SPRINGISLAND

BIOLOGY · MAY 1-30, 2017Trinity Western University Travel Studies

Tidepools and meadows...the terrestrial and marine life in the gulf islands archipelago is among the most diverse in the world; students will experience this first-hand. Majors earn 6 hrs in upper level credits, while non-majors can earn their 6 hrs of lab science credit. Students will spend several weeks on Salt Spring Island learning how to study plants and marine life in the field. The twu Crow’s Nest Ecological Research Area on the island contains a rare Garry oak meadow community, one of the most threatened ecosystems in Canada.

Cathy Whitee: white@twu.caph: 604-513-2043

604-513-2067extension@twu.ca

twu.ca/travel

BIOL 216 · Plant EnvironmentsAn inventory of plant life across major habitats, particularly in the local area of British Columbia, will provide insights into the ecology o these environments. Local field trips will highlight natural habitats, agricultural and horticultural crops, and managed forests. Critical assessment of planetary stewardship will form a common theme. Prerequisites: instructor’s consent.

BIOL 262 · Marine BiologyA study of the life history and distribution of marine organisms in several major habitat types, including soft sediment and rocky substrate communities. Emphasis on field and laboratory work in a survey of common local marine plants and animals and their relationships, including field work in the Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island.Prerequisites: instructor’s consent.

BIOL 316 · Plant EcologyThe crucial role of plant ecology in shaping major habitats, including those in British Columbia, will be examined. A trip to Salt Spring Island will highlight the threatened Garry oak ecosystem and other features of interest. Field trips throughout the course will highlight the population dynamics and interrelationships of plant communities in natural habitats, agricultural crops and managed forests. Critical assessment of planetary stewardship will form a common theme across various issues in plant ecology.Prerequisites: BIOL 103, 104 and 105; or BIOL 113, 114 or equivalent, and instructor’s consent.

BIOL 382 · Marine EcologyA study of the ecological relationships of marine life in several major habitat types. Emphasis is on productivity, food webs, nutrient cycles, and community ecology. Ecosystem parameters are investigated through field and laboratory studies. Most of coursework takes place on Salt Spring Island in the BC Gulf Island archipelago.Prerequisites: Advanced standing in Biology and instructor’s consent.

salt spring island May 1-30, 2017

David Clements, Ph.D.david clements’ investigations of invasive weed species have been made within a variety of threatened environments such as Garry oak ecosystems in the bc Gulf Islands, Okanagan grasslands,habitats in coastal bc, and China’s Yunnan Province. Dr. Clements is interested in the ongoing challenge of the adaptability weeds in combination with other issues such as globalization

and climate change.

Karen Steensma, MSc

karen steensma is associate professor of Biology and Environmental Studies at twu and co-owner of a commercial dairy farm in Lynden, wa. She has taught marine ecology and coral reef ecology field courses for 30 years in the Pacific Northwest as well as the Hawaiian Islands, the Caribbean, and the South Pacific.

Her particular interests are molluscs, both aquatic and terrestrial, as well as ecological agriculture and watershed management. Prof. Steensma has held research grants from various agencies including the World Wildlife Fund, Environment Canada, the bc Ministry of Agriculture, the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education fund, examining endangered land snails as well as agricultural birds. She also teaches zoology, ecology, and thesis courses at twu.

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