Natural Resources Conservation 390P - Pollinators: Ecology & Conserv

We will explore the connections between insects and the plants that they pollinate, and discuss why these processes are fundamental to ecosystem and agricultural sustainability. Topics include evolutionary and ecological concepts that underlie the coevolution between flowers and their pollinators. The course will emphasize the biology of honey bees, wild bees, the monarch butterfly, and syrphid flies. We will cover applied pollination in agricultural settings and delve into the issues and solutions regarding pollinator conservation. Through our scientific paper assignments, we will focus on how to effectively extract information as well as practice how to formulate good questions that can stimulate class discussion. Students will conduct a team-based project with optional outputs, such as a website contribution, a podcast, written educational materials, or a PPT presentation.

Prerequisite: Two semesters of general college Biology