Back to Standard 2

Module 2.4

Explain and apply the concept and measures of diversity

Overall objectives of Module 2.4 are to enhance students’ knowledge and comprehension of measures of diversity and their application to forest ecosystems at multiple spatial scales. Key topics include distinctions among measures of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-biodiversity and their applications, land mosaics and associated patch dynamics, island biogeography theory, genetic diversity as a function of patch size and distribution, and patch size effects on ecosystems.

Module Objectives

  • Describe the relationship between diversity and ecosystem structure and function;
  • Describe the interaction between forests, fish, and wildlife; and
  • Describe various measures of diversity at different spatial scales.

Module Schedule

This course involves a combination of recorded lectures, readings, assignments and participation in semi-synchronous online discussion forums and synchronous tutorials with instructors and other participants over an 8-week period.

See course content below to get started!

Course Content

Getting Started

  • Getting Started

    Welcome to Module 2.4

Week 1

  • Introductory Lecture

    Introductory core lecture using knowledge elements 2.4.1, 2.4.2, and 2.3.4 as the organizational framework to introduce key concepts and related content

  • Core Lecture 1: Ontario’s Far North

    Historic forest cover, forest cover today, boreal forest, fragmentation, human footprint, forest loss to fire, peatlands, watersheds, human impacts, conservation challenges, wildlife, historical human impacts and legacies, land claims, First Nations treaties; Boreal forest conservation, economic context, development (mineral resource potential, exploration e.g. Ring of Fire, water power potential), Climate change, recent legislation, Land use Decisions Policy Framework, community-based land-use planning

  • Supplementary Lecture (not mandatory)

    The human condition, urbanization, history of urban greening, the wildland-to-urban continuum, natural cover conversion, urban forestry, the human dimension, challenges (environmental, species diversity, genetic diversity), peri-urban forests, deforestation, solutions and perspectives

  • Readings

    Eight key lessons of biodiversity, Indicators for monitoring biodiversity: a hierarchical approach, Assessing and monitoring forest biodiversity: A suggested framework and indicators.

Week 2

  • Readings

  • Discussion Forum 2.4a

    Understanding diversity

Week 3

  • Online tutorial

    The online tutorial will give students the opportunity to connect with their instructors and peers to discuss content to-date, answer questions and foster conversations surrounding course materials, and discuss upcoming assignments.

  • Assignment #1

    Calculate and discuss different measures of diversity.

Week 4

  • Discussion Forum 2.4b

    Understanding diversity

Week 5

  • Submission: Assignment #1

    Please submit Assignment #1

  • Assignment #2

    Describe the interaction between forests fish and wildlife in one of Ontario’s three forest regions.

Week 6

  • Proposal Submission: Assignment #2

    Please submit your proposal for Assignment #2

Week 7

  • Online tutorial

    The online tutorial will give students the opportunity to connect with their instructors and peers to discuss content to-date, answer questions and foster conversations surrounding course materials, and discuss upcoming assignments.

Week 8

  • Submission: Assignment #2

    Please submit Assignment #2