5 March 2008
23 Apr 2008
by Jeffrey S. Pippen, Instructor, Nicholas School of the Environtment, Duke University, Durham, NC | Back to Jeff's Nature Pages
What kind of tree is that? Why does it grow here? What other organisms depends on it? Preserving biodiversity, whether in a remote tropical jungle or right in your back yard, is a major world issue. Through class discussion and local field trips, this course will introduce students to the history and ecology of the Duke Forest, and the importance of forests to our quality of life. Topics will include community ecology and natural history, organism and habitat identification, and history and management of Duke Forest. Field trips during class period will visit forested areas around campus as well as research and management sites in the Duke Forest. Co-taught with Prof. Dan Richter.
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Duke Forest Director Judd Edeburn tells us about the Korstian Division of the Forest. 5 March 2008 |
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Celebrating LDOC in the Duke Gardens. 23 Apr 2008 |
This brand new course was developed and launched in the fall of 2010. Forest Measurements starts with plant identification aimed to teach students local Piedmont species but ALSO how to use dichotomous keys and systematics to identify plants anywhere in the world. We then turn the course toward measurements of forests, including estimates of characteristics of individual plants, forest stands,and forest landscapes. Species composition, biomass, wood volume, carbon content, water balances of whole ecosytems will be estimated. Linear dimensions and areas of the land itself will be estimated using GPS units and more traditional methods. Field activities and quantitative skills will be emphasized throughout. ENV 346 bridges to all of the forestry curriculum and much of the environmental science and conservation curriculum as well. Co-taught with Prof. Dan Richter.
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Learning trees in the Duke Forest 8 Sep 2008 |
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Exploring the bottomland swamps around New Hope Creek. 13 Sep 2010 |
This week-long field course exposes Nicholas School graduate students to natural resource management in the Pacific Northwest including industries such as forestry, paper, fisheries, mining, game and non-game species, water rights, etc.
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Western Field Trippers at Glines Canyon Dam on the Elwha River. This dam is scheduled to be removed in 2011 to restore over 70 miles of river for salmon habitat. Olympic National Park 5/4/2009 |
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Glines Canyon Dam on the Elwha River. Olympic National Park 5/4/2009 |
In this course, designed for juniors, seniors, and graduate students, we learn to identify over 100 woody-plant species of the North Carolina piedmont by recognizing bark, tree form, twigs, leaves, and other characteristics. We also learn measurement techniques useful in the study and management of forests including estimating basal area, tree height, and basic orienteering. Co-taught with Prof. Dan Richter.
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Exploring the bottomland swamps around New Hope Creek. 8 Sep 2008 |
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Demonstrating field skills during the final exam. 20 Oct 2008 |
Created on ... Feb 7, 2007 | jspippen@duke.edu