WETLANDS ECOLOGY

Prerequisites & course information

Requisites: ( ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY 101 and 102 ), ZOOLOGY/BIOLOGY/BOTANY 152 , ZOOLOGY 153 , ( BIOCORE 381 and 382 ), BIOLOGY/BOTANY 130 , or graduate/professional standing Course Designation: Core GenEd - Natural Science & Wellness + Lab Breadth - Biological Science Level - Intermediate L&S Credit - L&S Liberal Arts and Science Grad 50% - Counts toward 50% graduate coursework requirement Repeatable for Credit: No Last Taught: Spring 2026 Learning Outcomes: 1. Explain what a wetland is and describe the attributes (physical and biological) currently used to classify wetlands. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Explain why which attributes are included in a definition matters with regard to wetland conservation Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Describe the global distribution of wetlands and explain how the geomorphological features of the earth, its orbit, as well as the properties of its atmosphere contribute to this distribution. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Identify and describe the physical characteristics and dynamics of water, how these influence biogeochemical cycles and how they all influence the morphology, physiology, and behavior of wetland organisms. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Describe the hydrology and soils, and the characteristic plants and animals of the major Wisconsin wetland types and their geographical locations. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Apply the contemporary theories, concepts, and understanding of wetland ecology to their own research projects, and/or to evaluating and suggesting solutions to a contemporary issue regarding the preservation, restoration, or management of wetlands. Audience: Graduate Learning Outcomes: 1. Explain what a wetland is and describe the attributes (physical and biological) currently used to classify wetlands. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 2. Explain why which attributes are included in a definition matters with regard to wetland conservation Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 3. Describe the global distribution of wetlands and explain how the geomorphological features of the earth, its orbit, as well as the properties of its atmosphere contribute to this distribution. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 4. Identify and describe the physical characteristics and dynamics of water, how these influence biogeochemical cycles and how they all influence the morphology, physiology, and behavior of wetland organisms. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 5. Describe the hydrology and soils, and the characteristic plants and animals of the major Wisconsin wetland types and their geographical locations. Audience: Both Grad & Undergrad 6. Apply the contemporary theories, concepts, and understanding of wetland ecology to their own research projects, and/or to evaluating and suggesting solutions to a contemporary issue regarding the preservation, restoration, or management of wetlands. Audience: Graduate