Natural Resource Ecology and Management

Richard Hall, Interim Chair of Department
University Professors (Emeritus): Atchison, Hinz, McNabb
Professors: Colletti, Hall, Harrington, Jungst, Payne, Schultz
Professors (Emeritus): M. Bachmann, R. Bachmann, Best, Countryman, J. Dinsmore, Hart, Klaas, Manwiller, Menzel, Moorman, Prestemon, Summerfelt, Wray
Professors (Collaborators): Brandle, Burger, Engle, Isebrands, Otis
Associate Professors: Asbjornsen, S. Dinsmore, Fairbanks, Isenhart, Kuo, Morris, Rule, Thompson
Associate Professors (Emeritus): Pease
Associate Professors (Collaborators): Deutsch, Guntenspergen, Manson, Palik, Rickenbach, Tomer
Assistant Professors: Blanchong, Kim, Quist, Randall, Schulte, Stewart, Tyndall
Assistant Professors (Adjunct): Harris, McMullen, Merrick, Pritchard, Roe
Assistant Professors (Collaborators): Koford, Kolka, Miller, Negreros-Castillo, Pierce, Thogmartin, Westphal
Senior Lecturer: Stokke, Wiersema
Lecturer: O'Brien

The department addresses a broad spectrum of natural resource and environmental issues in a holistic approach to learning, discovery and engagement. Our vision of natural resources is that informed protection and management of natural resources involves an integration of biological, economic, and social considerations. Such an integrated and comprehensive approach to the education of future generations of natural resource managers and scientists is needed in order to sustain viable landscapes, facilitate strong communities, and produce desired goods, services, and functions from our natural resources.

Our educational mission for the undergraduate and graduate programs is to provide those learning experiences and opportunities that will ensure students can learn to function effectively in their chosen fields.

Central to that effective functioning are the abilities to:

Identify, explain and critically evaluate their own beliefs, values and actions in relation to professional and societal standards of ethics.

Anticipate, analyze and evaluate natural resource issues and opportunities, explaining the ecological, economic, and social consequences of natural resource actions at various scales and over time.

Actively seek the input and perspectives of diverse stakeholders regarding natural resource problems and issues.

Assess, analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information fairly and objectively.

Work effectively, both individually and with others, on complex, value-laden natural resource problems that require holistic problem solving approaches.

Formulate and evaluate alternative solutions to complex problems and recommend and defend best alternatives.

Communicate clearly and effectively with all audiences using appropriate oral, visual, electronic, and written techniques.

Recognize and interpret resource problems and opportunities across spatial scales from local to global.

Appreciate cultural diversity and understand the impact of the global distribution of people and wealth on natural resource use and valuation.

Exercise leadership skills as professionals and engaged citizens.

Demonstrate creativity and innovation in identifying and pursuing opportunities that produce environmental, social, or economic value.

Exercise life-long learning skills developed before graduation.

The Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management offers work for the bachelor of science degree with majors in animal ecology or forestry (see College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Curricula). The department participates in interdisciplinary programs in biology, environmental studies, international studies, and pest management. By proper selection of free and restricted elective courses, students can obtain a minor or a second major in these programs or other disciplines.

Courses primarily for undergraduate students

NREM 104. Practical Work Experience. Cr. R.Three months of relevant work experience in natural resources, animal ecology, or forestry. Study at a summer biological station may be applicable. See adviser for specific requirements and approval process.

NREM 110. Orientation in Natural Resource Ecology and Management. Cr. R. F.Orientation to the University and to the Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management. Discussion of departmental learning outcomes, strategies for academic success and academic planning. Satisfactory-fail only.

NREM 111. NREM Transitions Learning Community Seminar. (1-0) Cr. 1. F.S.Enrollment limited to members of the NREM Transitions Learning Community. Designed to assist new transfer students and continuing sophomore students with their transition to the academic expectations and professional development aspects of the natural resource program. Satisfactory-fail only.

NREM 112. Orientation to Learning and Productive Team Membership. (Cross-listed with Aer E, FS HN, Hort, TSM). (2-0) Cr. 2. F.Introduction to developing intentional learners and worthy team members. Learning as the foundation of human enterprise; intellectual curiosity; ethics as a personal responsibility; everyday leadership; effective team and community interactions including team learning and the effects on individuals; and growth through understanding self, demonstrating ownership of own learning, and internalizing commitment to helping others. Intentional mental processing as a means of enhancing learning. Interconnectedness of the individual, the community, and the world.

NREM 114. Developing Responsible Learners and Effective Leaders. (Cross-listed with FS HN, Hort, TSM). (2-0) Cr. 2. S.Focus on team and community. Application of fundamentals of human learning; evidence of development as a responsible learner; intentional mental processing as a habit of mind; planning and facilitating learning opportunities for others; responsibility of the individual to the community and the world; leading from within; holding self and others accountable for growth and development as learners and leaders.

NREM 120. Introduction to Renewable Resources. (Cross-listed with Agron, Env S). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.Overview of soil, water, plants, and animals as renewable natural resources in an ecosystem context. History and organization of resource management. Concepts of integrated resource management.

NREM 130. Natural Resources and Agriculture. (Cross-listed with Env S). (3-0) Cr. 3. S.Survey of the ecology and management of fish, forest, and wildlife resources in areas of intensive agriculture, with emphasis on Iowa. Conservation and management practices for private agricultural lands. Designed for nonmajors.

NREM 211. Careers in Natural Resources. Cr. 1. F.S.Prereq: Sophomore classification. Career planning exploration in natural resources. Discussion of the job application process, including techniques for successful interviewing and development of an effective résumé. Satisfactory-fail only.

NREM 256. Midwestern Prairie Plants. (1-2) Cr. 1. F.Offered 1st half semester only. Survey of the major plant families, genera, and representative species of Midwestern prairies with emphasis on plant identification and use of keys. Prairie restoration, conservation, and management issues will also be considered.

NREM 285. The National Parks: Culture and Nature. (Cross-listed with L A). (2-0) Cr. 2. Alt. F., offered 2010.Reviews cultural setting for park establishment and management, ideas about wilderness, and philosophy of parks as types of land use. History of landscape architecture in the National Park Service, the development of American parks, the history of park wildlife management and nature interpretation. Recent initiatives in ecosystem management, community conservation, and international points of comparison. Readings, discussion, exercises.

NREM 301. Natural Resource Ecology and Soils. (Cross-listed with EnSci). (3-3) Cr. 4. F.Prereq: Biol 211, 211L; For 201 or a second course in biology. Effects of environmental factors on ecosystem structure and function using forest, prairie and agricultural ecosystems as models. Special emphasis is given to soil-forming factors and the role of soil in nutrient and water cycling and ecosystem dynamics. Additional emphasis is given to human influences on natural ecosystems and the role of perennial plant communities in agricultural landscapes. Nonmajor graduate credit.

NREM 303. Internship. Cr. 1-3. Repeatable. F.S.SS.Prereq: Permission of instructor and sophomore standing. Placement with county conservation boards, camps, zoos, parks, etc., for experience as interpreters, rangers, and technicians.

NREM 303I. Undergraduate Internship. (Cross-listed with Ia LL). Cr. 1-5. Repeatable. SS.Prereq: Permission of instructor and sophomore standing. Placement with county conservation boards, camps, parks, etc. for experience as interpreters, rangers, and technicians.

NREM 305. Seminar. (2-0) Cr. 1. Repeatable. F.S.Prereq: Permission of instructor. Current topics in natural resources or related issues.

NREM 330. Interpretation of Natural Resources. (2-3) Cr. 3. S.Prereq: 6 credits in biological sciences. History, objectives, forms, and techniques of natural resources interpretation in the settings of county, state, national parks, and zoos.

NREM 345. Natural Resource Photogrammetry and Geographic Information Systems. (Cross-listed with EnSci). (2-3) Cr. 3. F.Prereq: Junior classification. Measurement and interpretation of aerial photos in resource management. Introduction to Geographic Information Systems (GIS) using ArcGIS including digitizing, development and query of attribute tables, georeferencing, and use of multiple GIS layers in simple spatial analyses. Nonmajor graduate credit.

NREM 385. Natural Resource Policy. (Dual-listed with 585). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2011.Prereq: Junior standing. History, theory, and practice of natural resource policy. Integrative approach with topical studies in wildlife, forest, water, and other natural resources, mainly in North America. Examine roles and relationships in policy formulation between major policy actors, including legislative bodies, government agencies, and non-profits. The role of science and scientists in policy.

NREM 390. Fire Ecology and Management. (3-0) Cr. 3. F.Characteristics and role of fire in forest ecosystems. Major topics covered include fuels, fire weather, fire behavior, fire danger rating systems, fire control, prescribed burning, and fire dynamics in major ecosystem types. Nonmajor graduate credit.

NREM 402. Watershed Hydrology. (Cross-listed with Agron, EnSci, Geol, Mteor). (3-3) Cr. 4. F.Prereq: Four courses in physical or biological sciences or engineering; junior standing. Examination of watersheds as systems, emphasizing the surface components of the hydrologic cycle. Combines qualitative understanding of hydrological processes and uncertainty with quantitative representation. Laboratory emphasizes field investigation and measurement of watershed processes. Nonmajor graduate credit.

NREM 407. Watershed Management. (Dual-listed with 507). (Cross-listed with EnSci, Env S). (3-3) Cr. 4. S.Prereq: A course in general biology. Managing human impacts on the hydrologic cycle. Field and watershed level best management practices for modifying the impacts on water quality, quantity and timing are discussed. Field project includes developing a management plan using landscape buffers.

NREM 430. Media Techniques in Natural Resources Interpretation. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2009.Prereq: 330. Media techniques used by interpreters for teaching the public about natural resources. Nonmajor graduate credit.

NREM 446. Integrating GPS and GIS for Natural Resource Management. (Dual-listed with 546). (Cross-listed with EnSci). (2-3) Cr. 3. S.Prereq: 12 credits in student's major at 300 level or above, NREM 345 or equivalent experience with ArcGIS. Emphasis on the use of GPS as a data collection tool for GIS. Basic theory of GPS. Use of Global Positioning System technology for spatial data collection and navigation. Post-processing and real-time correction of GPS data. GPS data transfer to GIS for mapping applications. Use of GIS to construct waypoints for use in GPS navigation.

NREM 452. Ecosystem Management. (Cross-listed with For). (2-3) Cr. 3. F.Prereq: Junior classification, and NREM 301 or A Ecl 312. Principles of planning, regulating, and decision-making associated with public and private lands, with consideration of forest, grassland, wetland, and freshwater aquatic ecosystems. Integrated natural resources management within ecological, social, economic and policy constraints. Nonmajor graduate credit.

NREM 460. Controversies in Natural Resource Management. (Cross-listed with Env S). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.S.Prereq: 120, and A Ecl 312 or NREM 301, and Junior classification. Analysis of controversial natural resource issues using a case approach that considers uncertainty and adequacy of information and scientific understanding. Ecological, social, political, economic, and ethical implications of issues will be analyzed. Nonmajor graduate credit.

NREM 465. Landscape Change and Conservation. (Dual-listed with 565). (Cross-listed with L A). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.Prereq: L A 202. Exploration of issues in landscape ecology and conservation biology relevant to landscape change, design, and planning. Examination of foundational principles and their applications across a continuum of land uses, from wilderness to urban areas.

NREM 471. Agroforestry Systems; Local and Global Perspectives. (Dual-listed with 571). (2-3) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2009.Prereq: 6 credits in biological science at 300 level or above. Concepts of sustainable land use, agroecological dynamics, and component interactions of agroforestry systems. Agroforestry systems in temperate and tropical regions. Design and evaluation techniques for agroforestry systems. Ecological, socioeconomic and political aspects of agroforestry.

NREM 472. Landscape Ecology and Natural Resource Management. (Dual-listed with 572). (2-2) Cr. 3. F.Prereq: NREM 301 or A Ecl 312 or equivalent and NREM 345 or C R P 451 or equivalent. Analysis and management of spatial patterns and processes in populations, communities, and ecosystems with emphasis on broad spatial scales. Human influences on natural systems are strongly considered.

NREM 490. Independent Study. Cr. 1-4. Repeatable.Prereq: Junior or senior classification, permission of instructor.
A. Animal Ecology
B. Forestry
E. Entrepreneurship
H. Honors Program

NREM 490I. Undergraduate Independent Study. (Cross-listed with Ia LL). Cr. 1-4. Repeatable.Prereq: Junior or senior classification and permission of the instructor.

NREM 493. Workshop. Cr. 1-3. Repeatable.Prereq: Permission of instructor. Ecological concepts and management practices for landowners, teachers and others. Not for students majoring in animal ecology or forestry. NREM 493 may be taken more than once for graduation credit.

NREM 496. Travel Course. (Dual-listed with 596). Cr. 1-5. Repeatable.Prereq: Permission of instructor. Limited enrollment. Extended field trips to study ecological and management topics in varied environments. Location and duration of trips will vary. Pre-trip sessions arranged. Trip expenses paid by students.
A. International
B. Domestic

NREM 498. Cooperative Education. Cr. 1-3.Prereq: Permission of departmental chair. Required of all cooperative education students. Students must register prior to commencing each work period.

Courses primarily for graduate students, open to qualified undergraduate students

NREM 501. Genecology. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2009.Prereq: Gen 320 or Biol 313. Genecology principles as they apply to natural and improved populations of plants and animals. Genetic systems as they interact with long-term natural selection to produce clinal or ecotypic variation. The impact of current environments and genetic modifications of domesticated organisms on short-term selection pressures. Special coverage of species of interest to students enrolled in the course.

NREM 504. Forest Landscapes, Wildlife, and Silviculture. (3-3) Cr. 4. Alt. F., offered 2010.Prereq: 301. Detailed analysis of factors and processes underlying forest and stand growth and development. Applications of this knowledge to forest culture to support a diversity of use and protection objectives. Discussions of regional silviculture, tropical forests, and experimentation in forest biology.

NREM 505. Seminar. (2-0) Cr. 1. Repeatable. F.S.Prereq: Permission of instructor or graduate classification. Current topics in natural resources research and management.

NREM 507. Watershed Management. (Dual-listed with 407). (Cross-listed with EnSci). (3-3) Cr. 4. S.Prereq: A course in general biology. Managing human impacts on the hydrologic cycle. Field and watershed level best management practices for modifying the impacts on water quality, quantity and timing are discussed. Field project includes developing a management plan using landscape buffers.

NREM 508I. Aquatic Ecology. (Cross-listed with Ia LL, EnSci). Cr. 4. SS.Prereq: Courses in ecology, chemistry, and physics. Analysis of aquatic ecosystems; emphasis on basic ecological principles; ecological theories tested in the field; identification of common plants and animals.

NREM 529. Publishing in Biological Sciences Journals. (Cross-listed with Agron, Hort). (2-0) Cr. 2. S.Prereq: Permission of instructor; evidence of a publishable unit of the student's research data. Process of preparing a manuscript for submission to a refereed journal in the biological sciences. Emphasis on publishing self-generated data from thesis or dissertation research.

NREM 532. Human Dimensions of Natural Resource Management. (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2010.Prereq: A Ecl 312 or equivalent plus 6 credits of biological sciences; permission of instructor. Exploration of institutions that help shape natural resource management and policies. Current research on interaction of humans with natural resources. Roles of social forces, politics and economics in natural resource management.

NREM 535. Restoration Ecology. (Cross-listed with EnSci, EEOB). (2-3) Cr. 3. F.Prereq: Biol 366 or 474 or graduate standing. Theory and practice of restoring animal and plant diversity, structure and function of disturbed ecosystems. Restored freshwater wetlands, forests, prairies and reintroduced species populations will be used as case studies.

NREM 542. Introduction to Molecular Biology Techniques. (Cross-listed with B M S, BBMB, BCB, EEOB, FS HN, GDCB, Hort, NutrS, V MPM, VDPAM). Cr. 1. Repeatable. F.S.SS.Prereq: Graduate classification. Workshops in basic molecular biology techniques and related procedures. Satisfactory-fail only.
A. DNA Techniques. Includes genetic engineering procedures, sequencing, PCR, and genotyping. (F.S.SS.)
B. Protein Techniques. Includes fermentation, protein isolation, protein purification, SDS-PAGE, Western blotting, NMR, confocal microscopy and laser microdissection, immunophenotyping, and monoclonol antibody production. (S.SS.)
C. Cell Techniques. Includes immunophenotyping, ELISA, flow cytometry, microscopic techniques, and image analysis. (F.S.)
D. Plant Transformation. Includes Agrobacterium and particle gun-mediated transformation of tobacco, Arabidopsis, and maize, and analysis of transformants. (S.)
E. Proteomics. Includes two-dimensional electrophoresis, laser scanning, mass spectrometry, and database searching. (F.)

NREM 546. Integrating GPS and GIS for Natural Resource Management. (Dual-listed with 446). (Cross-listed with EnSci). (2-3) Cr. 3. S.Prereq: 12 credits in student's major at 300 level or above, NREM 345 or equivalent experience with ArcGIS. Emphasis on the use of GPS as a data collection tool for GIS. Basic theory of GPS. Use of Global Positioning System technology for spatial data collection and navigation. Post-processing and real-time correction of GPS data. GPS data transfer to GIS for mapping applications. Use of GIS to construct waypoints for use in GPS navigation.

NREM 565. Landscape Change and Conservation. (Dual-listed with 465). (Cross-listed with L A). (3-0) Cr. 3. F.Prereq: L A 202. Exploration of issues in landscape ecology and conservation biology relevant to landscape change, design, and planning. Examination of foundational principles and their applications across a continuum of land uses, from wilderness to urban areas.

NREM 570. Advanced Decision-making in Natural Resource Allocation. (2-2) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2010.Prereq: For 451 or two courses in economics. Analytical approach to economic aspects of forest resource management problems. Theory and application of economic decision-making criteria to traditional and modern forest resource management issues. Current problems in the allocation of forest resources.

NREM 571. Agroforestry Systems. (Dual-listed with 471). (Cross-listed with SusAg). (2-3) Cr. 3. Alt. F., offered 2009.Prereq: 6 credits in biological science at 300 level or above. Concepts of sustainable land use, agroecological dynamics, and component interactions of agroforestry systems. Agroforestry systems in temperate and tropical regions. Design and evaluation techniques for agroforestry systems. Ecological, socioeconomic and political aspects of agroforestry.

NREM 572. Landscape Ecology and Natural Resource Management. (Dual-listed with 472). (2-2) Cr. 3. F.Prereq: NREM 301 or A Ecl 312 or equivalent and NREM 345 or C R P 451 or equivalent. Analysis and management of spatial patterns and processes in populations, communities, and ecosystems with emphasis on broad spatial scales. Human influences on natural systems are strongly considered.

NREM 580. Research Orientation. (2-0) Cr. 2. F.Prereq: 20 credits in biological sciences and a course in statistics. Research design, proposal preparation, and technical writing.

NREM 581. Methods for Presenting Scientific Results. (2-0) Cr. 2. S.Prereq: Permission of instructor. Techniques of proper platform presentation. Discussion of effective audio/visual techniques for presentation of research findings. Practice in development of overheads and slides. Use of computer generated and projected visuals. Practice in oral presentation with critical review. Development of effective posters for scientific presentation.

NREM 585. Natural Resource Policy. (Dual-listed with 385). (3-0) Cr. 3. Alt. S., offered 2011.Prereq: Graduate standing or permission of instructor. History, theory, and practice of natural resource policy. Integrative approach with topical studies in wildlife, forest, water, and other natural resources, mainly in North America. Examine roles and relationships in policy formulation between major policy actors, including legislative bodies, government agencies, and non-profits. The role of science and scientists in policy.

NREM 590. Special Topics. Cr. 1-4. Repeatable.Prereq: Permission of instructor.
A. Animal Ecology
B. Forestry

NREM 593. Workshop. Cr. 1-3. Repeatable.Prereq: Graduate classification.

NREM 596. Travel Course. (Dual-listed with 496). Cr. 1-5. Repeatable.Prereq: Permission of instructor. Limited enrollment. Extended field trips to study ecological topics in varied environments. Location and duration of trips will vary. Pre-trip sessions arranged. Trip expenses paid by students.
A. International
B. Domestic

NREM 599. Creative Component. Cr. arr.

Courses for graduate students

NREM 600. Seminar. Cr. 1. Repeatable. F.S.Current topics in natural resources research and management.

NREM 699. Research. Cr. 1-12. Repeatable.

The Department provides numerous scholarships; application information is available in the departmental Student Services Center.