Mountain Environments

Transcription

1 Freshman Seminar Mountain Environments Geography 050, Section 001 Spring 2008 Stephen J. Walsh, Professor Department of Geography Mondays: 3:00-5:30 pm; Murphy Hall Room 202 (919) (voice), (919) (fax) ( ) 318 Saunders Hall Mondays 9-11 am & Tuesdays 3:00 5:00 pm & Appointments (office hours) Class Web Site -- Introduction & Overview Mountains are common features of the Earth that affect people in direct and indirect ways. Recreation, minerals, timber, wildlife, water, biodiversity and conservation, settlement, defense, isolation, and culture are some of the many ways in which people and mountain environments intersect. Over the past two centuries many theories of mountain formation have been proposed, mostly based on mechanisms that involve how folds in rocks occur and hence how mountains might be folded and shaped as well through sets of processes that range from the local to the global.

2 2 The focus of this course is six-fold. First, we will study the physical geography of mountain environments and the processes that have created them, shaped them, and sustained them. There are several reasons for studying the environments of mountains: (a) they reveal integrative earth systems processes that can be readily observed and understood; and (b) the processes are not oversimplified, but have spatial complexity at scales that can be readily comprehended. Second, we will emphasize the alpine treeline ecotone, a zone of vegetation and environmental transition in mountains that are characterized changes and patterns of closed-canopy forest, open-canopy forest, alpine meadows, tree island vegetation, tundra, and non-vegetated rock, snow, and ice surfaces. Third, we will focus our attention on four mountain areas of the American West Glacier National Park located in Montana and the Northern Rocky Mountains; Rocky Mountain National Park located in Colorado and the Central Rocky Mountains; Sequoia/Kings Canyon National Parks located in California and the Sierra Nevada Mountains; and Olympic and Mt. Rainier National Parks located in Washington and the North Cascades Mountains. Fourth, we will consider the human dimensions of mountains. Mountain regions represent nearly one-quarter of the Earth s terrestrial surface, provide goods and surfaces to more than one-half of humanity, and are in the nearby environment of approximately one-fourth of the global population. Mountains reveal human interactions with and impacts on their environment by providing goods and services such as water resources, forest products, refugia for threatened species, and unspoiled recreation areas for a rapidly growing and urbanized world population. Mountains are also the source of economic livelihoods for households and communities. Fifth, we will study mountain environments from the perspective of change and transition emphasizing environmental change. The rate and magnitude of ecosystem responses to changes in the global environment are variable and uncertain, ranging from gradual to abrupt, from moderate to profound. The least understood and least predictable responses are those of greatest importance to policy makers and land managers. Sixth, we will consider mountains using spatial digital technologies such as satellite remote sensing, geographic information systems, and web-based analyses. The specific purposes of this course are to (a) examine the biophysical impacts on mountains; (b) understand the biophysical processes acting across space and time scales that affect the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and biosphere of mountain environments, (c) integrate the processes influencing mountain landscapes through a systems approach that considers the human dimension as well as biophysical controls, (d) assess the spatial pattern of mountain landscapes using digital technologies including images generated from satellites and whose

3 3 information is integrated with other environmental data, (e) evaluate the nature of biophysical and social forces affecting 4-mountain case studies, and how biotic and abiotic factors influence the pattern of the alpine treeline ecotone within and across these four sites, and (f) assess mountain environments in North Carolina (i.e., Mt. Mitchell, Linville Gorge, GrandFather Mountain: a planned weekend field trip April 12 & 13, 2008) and in the US American West (i.e., Glacier National Park, Montana; Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado; Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, California; and Olympic and Mt. Rainer National Parks, Washington: readings, images, and web information). Theoretical Perspectives Geographers and others have successfully applied Hierarchy Theory to the study of mountains in which the interrelations of the scale of observation is linked to the spatial (or temporal) pattern recognized or mapped, and the biophysical or social processes that are responsible. For instance, this approach holds that the scale at which the alpine treeline is observed affects discernible patterns that are related to processes at work on the landscape (e.g., disturbances such as snow avalanches or floods or droughts). The implication is that the form of the landscape is indicative of its function, and that landscape patterns are the result of a complex and interacting set of processes that function over a range of spatial and temporal scales. Key to defining the spatial pattern of the alpine treeline ecotone involves principles of landscape ecology that hold that all landscapes contain structure, function, and change. Structure refers to the spatial relationships among the distinctive elements or ecosystems comprising a landscape, with the sizes, shapes, and configurations of these elements being of key importance. Function refers to spatial and temporal flows of energy, material, and species among landscape components, and Change refers to the alteration in structure and function of the ecological mosaic over time. Methodological Approaches Remote sensing is a mapping and surveillance science that is defined by having a sensor not in contact with the entity of interest, but still able to remotely assess key characteristics of a target such as its composition and its spatial pattern. Taking a photo of the landscape using a digital camera or placing a camera in a space-craft or an airplane are examples. We will rely upon satellite and aircraft remote sensing, field photos, global positioning systems, and topographic maps to study our 4-case study sites and the composition and spatial organization of their alpine treeline ecotones. We will use both analog images and digital images

4 4 to assess the nature of alpine treeline. To do the digital work, we will use a simplified version of ERDAS image processing software stored on computers located in Saunders Hall Room 319. In remote sensing, spatial scale is set through the IFOV (Instantaneous Field of View) of the sensor system being used and is reported as the size of a picture element such as a cell of 30 x 30 meters or 4 x 4 meters. The temporal scale is defined by the periodicity of the satellite system set by the prescribed orbital characteristics, such as a repeat coverage every 16-days, time since launch, and the depth of the assembled time-series of images, regarded as snap-shots in time. In some instances, remotely-sensed images are value-added by superimposing information such as roads, rivers, or field sites on the imagery by co-registering such data on the satellite images or air-photos, often within a Geographic Information System (GIS). So too, remotely sensed images can be processes to yield more insight about our environment. You ll get the opportunity to interact with satellite data and to create data visualizations that aid in describing the pattern and composition of the alpine treeline ecotone. We will also conduct direct observations and measurements of mountains in Western North Carolina and use tools of a geographer for assessing landscape patterns and processes that shape and are shaped by mountain environments. Tools will include the use of GPS units, increment bores for dating trees, transects and quadrats for sampling forest composition, a compass to assess the slope and orientation of the landscape, a level to determine the heights of trees, topographic maps and digital elevation models for assessing a 3-dimensional landscape, historical air-photos to denote change, and much more. Course Emphasis This course is organized as a Seminar, meaning that the emphasis will be placed on learning and discovery achieved through reading, writing, discussion, lab activities, and lecture where necessary to build a knowledge-base suitable to address the goals of this course. Active participation in the course is essential and expected. We will explore Mountain Environments by concentrating on processes that shape the landscape, patterns that are apparent because of those active processes, and how the concept of scale (both through space and time) is used to define the patterns that we see at the alpine treeline ecotone. While we will talk about Mountain Environments in general, we will also focus on the specifics of mountain environments in 4-case study sites of the US American West where we will study the alpine treeline ecotone within the context of environment change and

5 5 pattern-process relations as part of a US Geological Survey project with the Department of Geography, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Walsh, PI) called the Western Mountain Initiative. We will also have a second case study sites in Western North Carolina; we will conduct a required field trip for on-site study of Mt. Mitchell, Linville Gorge, and GrandFather Mountain (April 12 & 13, 2008). Papers and presentations will be required, a mid-term and a final exam are also required, as are a set of activities. Case Study Analysis #1: Western Mountain Initiative Response of Western Mountain Ecosystems to Climate Variability & Change Task #1: Determine responses (via the 4-case study sites) of alpine treeline to climatic, biogeographic, and geomorphic processes and changes. A review and synthesis will address how climatic variability, fire, drought, and other factors limit upper treeline regeneration across our 4-case study sites. Additionally, recent modeling tells us that changes at treeline have controls other than climate, with geomorphology and soils potentially limiting change through endogenous feedbacks with the pattern of tree species themselves, which also alters the response mechanisms so that treeline dynamics depend on microsites and local histories. The outcome of pattern and geomorphological analyses at all sites will identify ecotone components sensitive to temporal and spatial variability in climate and other limiting factors. Task #2: Ascertain controls at treeline at each of the study areas and across space and time scales. The biogeographic and geomorphic features and process affecting the alpine treeline ecotone will be assessed. The patterns of vegetation, derived from remote sensing imagery, will be analyzed with respect to local site conditions and drivers of change. Task #3: Create a regional (empirical) model of biogeomorphic controls on treeline dynamics. The focus will be on determining the role of biotic and abiotic factors on the alpine treeline ecotone that extends from closed canopy forest, open-canopy forest, meadows, tree patches and krummholz (a German word for wind shaped and stunted trees), open tundra, and rock, and nonvegetated snow, and rice surfaces. The explicit links between patterns and processes will be considered. Task #4: Create scenarios of change and assess how pattern-process relations at the alpine treeline dynamics ecotone may respond. Analyze dynamics in a

6 6 model so that the spatial controls exerted by biogeography and geomorphology, and the feedbacks engendered by the vegetation, are integrated with the climate drivers of change. Case Study Analysis #2: Western North Carolina Human & Environment Implications for North Carolina s Mountains: Mt. Mitchell, Linville Gorge, Grand Father Mountain Task #1: Examine biophysical processes operating at in mountain environments associated with lecture topics -- geomorphology and landforms, soils, vegetation, disturbance regimes. Task #2: Study the interrelationships of scale, pattern, and process operating in mountain environments. Task #3: Perform environmental measurements and/or observations of terrain and vegetation through use of field techniques and devices, and register the location of such activities through the use of global positioning system (GPS) technology. Task #4: Document trip activities and findings through a required trip log and class presentation. Task #5: Prepare for the trip through assigned readings collected by designated site leaders. Dates, Grades, Requirements Labs, Papers, & Presentations: 30% of final grade Mid-Term Examination: 30% of the final grade Final Examination: 30% of final grade Attendance & Class participation: 10% of final grade. A one-half grade reduction will be levied for each day that the lab, and/or student paper or presentation is past due. Pre-authorization of time extensions will alter the grade reduction policy. All class activities are bound by the guidelines of the UNC Student Honor Code all course assignments are to be completed entirely on your own, independent of any type of assistance other than from your course instructor. Papers and/or Presentations: individual presentations, approximately 10-minutes in length, will be made to the class; longer periods for groups and/or panels can be

7 7 arranged. Student papers should be approximately 8-10 page in lengths, doublespace typed. The papers should be organized as follows: a statement of the problem, literature review, methods, discussion, summary/conclusions, and bibliography. Course Readings Readings will be assigned from journal articles, book chapters, and websites as appropriate: they will be made available on our class web site, Course Schedule Class #1 - January 14 th : Course Overview, Requirements, and Schedule of Activities; discussion of the following topics: Definitions of Mountains, Importance of Mountains, Attitudes towards Mountains, the alpine treeline ecotone, the 4-case study sites for the study of pattern-process relations at the alpine treeline ecotone; theoretical frameworks for the study of mountains; field project Western North Carolina: Mt. Mitchell, Linville Gorge, Grand Father Mountain (April 12 & 13, 2008) Holiday January 21 st : No Class Class #2 - January 28 th : Physical Geography of Mountains: Origin of Mountains; Mountain Climates; see and download and read Mountains: A Global Resource Curriculum (pages ); also go to and look at the readings under About Mountains and see how mountains are further described; Physical Environments of Mountains ; see the reading, All Downhill From Here? Class #3 - February 4 th : Mountain Soils, Hydrology, and Vegetation; see the reading, The Changing Face of the Alpine World. Class #4 - February 11 th : the Alpine Treeline Ecotone: patterns and processes and the influence of space and time scales; local and external factors of environmental change. Class #5 February 18 th : Activity #1 - Application of Remote Sensing for Analyzing Mountain Environments with an emphasis on the 4-case study sites of the Western Mountain Initiative; meet in Saunders Hall Room 319 at 3:00 5:30 pm; also see Some Useful Web Sites as a place to start for the 4-case study sites; determine the kinds of data on each of the other 4-case

8 8 study sites that might impact alpine treeline through scale-pattern-process relationships. Class #6 February 25 th : Film and discussion of mountain landscapes and processes; Activity #2 write 2-3 pages on how the mountain environment was represented and which biophysical processes were emphasized, how they operate, and how they shape mountain landscapes (due on March 3 rd ). Class #7 March 3 rd : Mid-Term Examination. Spring Break March 10 th : No Class Class #8 March 17 th : Alpine Treeline Ecotone: Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado; Team Assignment: Outline & Describe the Scales-Patterns- Processes in RMNP. Activity #3 - select a film of your choice that emphasizes or substantially features mountains; describe the film relative to mountain patterns and processes through a 2-3 page reaction paper (due March 31 st - last name ending in A-M & April 7 th last name ending N-Z). Class #9 March 24 th : Alpine Treeline Ecotone: Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, California; Team Assignment: Outline & Describe the Scales- Patterns-Processes in S-KCNP. Class #10 March 31 st : Alpine Treeline Ecotone: Olympic & Mt. Rainer National Parks, Washington; Team Assignment: Outline & Describe the Scales-Patterns-Processes in O&MRNP. Class #11 April 7 th : Alpine Treeline Ecotone: Glacier National Park, Montana; Team Assignment: Outline & Describe the Scales-Patterns- Processes in GNP. Class #12 April 14 th : Field Trip to Western North Carolina (April 12 & 13; no class on April 14 th ); Team Assignment: Outline & Describe the Scales- Patterns-Processes for Mt. Mitchell, Linville Gorge, GrandFather Mountain. Class #13 April 21 st : Team presentations (papers due on April 25 th ). Class #14 - May 5 th : Final Exam at 4:00 6:00 pm; 202 Murphy Hall. Glacier National Park, Montana Some Useful Web Sites

9 Olympic and Mt. Rainer National Parks, Washington Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park, California Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado (USGS Biological Resources) (USGS Geologic Information) Mt. Mitchell, North Carolina Linville Gorge, North Carolina Grand Father Mountain, North Carolina