| October 7 -- First test | 25% |
| November 4 -- Second test | 25% |
| December 9 -- Third test | 25% |
| Class presentation and abstract | 25% |
Grading Scale:
| 90-100 | A | 4 points |
| 80-89.99 | B | 3 points |
| 70-79.99 | C | 2 points |
| 60-69.99 | D | 1 point |
| <60 | E | 0 points |
Prerequisites: None
Textbook: Powers, L.E., and R. McSorley. 2000. Ecological Principles of Agriculture.
Delmar Thomson Learning, Albany, NY.
Objectives: To learn ecological principles applicable to most ecosystems; To understand
the principles and functions of agroecosystems; To examine examples relevant to current issues
in agricultural ecology.
Make-up Exams: None - take average grade of other two exams minus 10 points.
Late exercises: Minus 25% per day
Tentative Schedule (2009)
| Week | Date | Topic | |
| 1 | Aug 24 | Introduction, ecological experimentation in agriculture; Basic chemical processes - carbon cycle; Climate and adaptation of agricultural crops | |
| 2 | Aug 31 | Physical factors affecting crops - water; Energy in agroecosystems; field visit | |
| 3 | Sep 7 | Labor Day Holiday (Monday); Soil type and classification; Soil properties and environmental factors | |
| 4 | Sep 14 | Nitrogen in agroecosystems; Fertilizer elements in the environment | |
| 5 | Sep 21 | Decomposition; Beneficial soil organisms | |
| 6 | Sep 28 | Plant succession and competition; Weed ecology and management | |
| 7 | Oct 5 | Distribution and sampling of agricultural pests; October 7 (Wednesday) - first test; field visit? | |
| 8 | Oct 12 | Introduction to insects; Homecoming holiday (Friday) | |
| 9 | Oct 19 | Population dynamics; Pesticides and the environment; field visit? | |
| 10 | Oct 26 | Plant-parasitic nematodes; Plant disease and environment | |
| 11 | Nov 2 | Integrated pest management; November 4 (Wednesday) - second test; Host plant resistance and conservation of genetic resources | |
| 12 | Nov 9 | Cropping systems and agroecosystems in the landscape; Veteran’s Day Holiday; Crop rotation and cover crops | |
| 13 | Nov 16 | Intercropping; Mulches | |
| 14 | Nov 23 | Irrigation and salinity; Thanksgiving Holiday (Friday) | |
| 15 | Nov 30 | Graduate student presentations | |
| 16 | Dec 7 | Conservation tillage; December 9 (Wednesday) - third test |
Announcements
Note critical test dates: October 7, November 4, December 9
NOTE: Field trip on Friday, September 4. Please meet at field instead of
class. Please see map for field
location.
List of plants seen on field trip here.
Information about missed classes due to H1N1 flu here.
NOTE: Field trip on Friday, October 2. We will visit the same site that we went to last time.
Please see previous announcement if you need a map.
The first test is coming up October 7. It will cover material from PowerPoint presentations
#1-11 including #11, and the first field trip. Please pick up the two take-home test questions
from R. McSorley if you do not have them already.
A list of weeds seen on the October 2 field trip is shown here.
IMPORTANT SCHEDULE CHANGES!!! We will shift the dates when some upcoming classes will be presented:
October 9 -- Finish #14, start #16
October 12 -- Finish #16, start #17
October 14 -- Start #15.
October 19 -- Finish #15, finish #17
October 21 (Wednesday) -- #19 (Plant disease)
October 28 (Wednesday) -- Field visit (Same location; insect sampling and ID)
Notes from the field trip on October 28 can be found
here.
NOTE: Updated guidelines for the presentations are summarized here.
NOTE: Following is a schedule of classes over the upcoming two weeks:
Monday, November 23 -- Conservation tillage
Wednesday, November 25 -- No Class
Monday, November 30 to Friday, December 4 -- Graduate student
presentations, see schedule here.
NOTE: Abstracts for the graduate student presentations are available here.
NOTE: Take-home questions for grad test #3 are available here.
List of Class Presentations:
| Class | Topic | |
| 1 | Introduction and ecological experimentation | |
| 2 | Basic chemical processes | |
| 3 | Climate and adaptation of agricultural crops | |
| 4 | Physical factors affecting crops - water | |
| 5 | Energy in agroecosystems | |
| 6 | Soil type and classification | |
| 7 | Soil properties and environmental factors | |
| 8 | Nitrogen in agroecosystems | |
| 9 | Fertilizer elements in the environment | |
| 10 | Decomposition | |
| 11 | Beneficial soil organisms | |
| 12 | Plant succession and competition | |
| 13 | Weed ecology and management | |
| 14 | Distribution and sampling of agricultural pests | |
| 15 | Introduction to insects | |
| 16 | Population dynamics | |
| 17 | Pesticides and the environment | |
| 18 | Plant-parasitic nematodes | |
| 19 | Plant disease and environment | |
| 20 | Integrated pest management | |
| 21 | Host plant resistance and conservation of genetic resources | |
| 22 | Cropping systems and agroecosystems in the landscape | |
| 23 | Crop rotation and cover crops | |
| 24 | Intercropping | |
| 25 | Mulches: synthetic and organic | |
| 26 | Dryland agriculture, irrigation, and salinity | |
| 27 | Conservation tillage |
Links to PowerPoints
1 - Introduction and Ecological Experimentation in Agriculture2 - Basic Chemical Processes – Carbon Cycle
3 - Climate and Adaptation of Agricultural Crops
4 - Physical Factors Affecting Crops - Water
5 - Energy in Agroecosystems
6 - Soil Type and Classification
7 - Soil Properties and Environmental Factors
8 - Nitrogen and Other Nutrients in Agroecosystems
9 - Fertilizer Elements in the Environment
10 - Decomposition
11 - Beneficial Soil Organisms
12 - Plant Succession and Competition
13 - Weed Ecology and Management
14 - Distribution and Sampling of Agricultural Pests
15 - Introduction to Insects
16 - Population Dynamics
17 - Pesticides and the Environment
18 - Plant-Parasitic Nematodes
19 - Plant Disease and Environment
20 - Integrated Pest Management
21 - Host Plant Resistance
22 - Cropping Systems and Landscape Ecology
23 - Crop Rotation and Cover Crops
24 - Intercropping
25 - Mulches: Synthetic and Organic
26 - Dryland Agriculture, Irrigation, Salinity
27 - Conservation Tillage
28 - Organic Amendments
Agricultural Ecology Class Presentations
The class presentation can cover any specific topic relating to agricultural ecology, and will consist of a formal presentation and abstract, as if it were to be presented at a scientific meeting. The actual presentation will likely be in the last week of November or first week of December.
Topic:
The presentation should be a short review or summary of current research or findings in any area of agricultural ecology. The presentation should focus on specific applications or examples, and not on general principles. Many students give presentations about their own work or experiences. Some examples:
Too general -- Water use in agriculture
Good -- Optimizing irrigation applications in Florida citrus
Too general -- Insect pest management
Good -- Methods for managing whiteflies in vegetable crops in Mexico
Too general -- Nutrient availability in soils
Good -- Micronutrient availability in clay soils in Georgia
It will be necessary to consult current literature in the preparation of your presentation, and a list of five correctly cited publications (in style of Agriculture Ecosystems and Environment) is required, including at least one internet citation. Please confirm your choice of topic on or before September 21.
Abstract:
An abstract is required, following format specifications described below. You may turn in a draft of your abstract for review anytime before October 26. This review will not be graded, but will be returned to you for revision, with detailed editorial comments. A final revised version of your abstract and a separate list of literature references are due on November 13. These will be handed out to the class, and will be edited and graded for content and conformity with editorial style.
Abstract format:
Abstracts are limited to 250 words, not counting title and author information. Font style is New Times Roman, 12 pt. Arrange first few lines of abstract as follows:
TITLE OF PRESENTATION IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. Authorfirstname Initials (if any) Authorlastname, Department of Whatever, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.
Start text of presentation here. Note that the text of the presentation is on a separate line from the address. For Department in the address line, it could also be Plant Medicine Program, etc., if your unit is not called “Department”. Abstract should be a brief but informative summary of your work. Note that no references are cited in the abstract, but a list of references is included as a separate page.
Presentation:
This will be a formal presentation to the ALS 3153 class using Powerpoint, just as you would in a scientific meeting. The time limit for the actual presentation will be announced in class. Presentations will be scheduled late November/early December.
UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA COURSE POLICIES:
Additional General Information: The following information applies to all courses at the University of Florida.
We, the members of the University of Florida community, pledge to hold ourselves and our peers to the highest standard of honesty and integrity.
Academic Honesty: As a result of completing the registration form at the University of Florida, every student has signed the following statement: "I understand that the University of Florida expects its students to be honest in all their academic work. I agree to adhere to this commitment to academic honesty and understand that my failure to comply with this commitment may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion from the University."
Copyrighted Materials and Software Use: All students are required and expected to obey the laws and legal agreements governing copyrighted material and software use. Failure to do so can lead to monetary damages and/or criminal penalties for the individual violator. Because such violations are also against University policies and rules, disciplinary action will be taken as appropriate.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities: Students requesting classroom accommodation must first register with the Dean of Students Office. The Dean of Students will provide documentation to the student who must then provide this documentation to the Instructor when requesting accommodation.
University Counseling Services: Resources are available on-campus for students having personal problems or lacking clear career and academic goals which interfere with their academic performance. These resources include:
1. University Counseling Center, 301 Peabody Hall, 392-1575, personal and career counseling;
2. Student Mental Health, Student Health Care Center, 392-1171, personal counseling;
3. Sexual Assault Recovery Services (SARS), Student Health Care Center, 392-1161, sexual counseling;
and
4. Career Resource Center, Reitz Union, 392-1601, career development assistance and counseling.
Email: Course webmaster | Dept. Home Page
