READINGS FOR FORESTS CLASS, Fall 2016


I. FOR DISCUSSION  SEPTEMBER 29:

This will be a first foray into the scientific primary (original research) literature for most of you, here are some NOTES about approaching primary research papers.

Read the following paper for discussion in class on Thusday, 29 Sept. ANTICIPATE that you'll need to read it two or three times. Also ANTICIPATE that I might call on you individually to: a) identify and explain the research question or hypothesis, b) summarize the research design (here it will be important to work to grasp the basic logic and structure without worrying about technical bits): c) summarize the authors' interpretation of their data with respect to their hypotheses: and d) consider possibilities for further research. You should ALL come to class with notes on these questions and on any 'questions of fact' or background that arise in your reading.

        Maerz, J.C., et al. 2009.  Declines in Woodland Salamander Abundance Associated with Non-Native Earthworm and Plant Invasions. Conservation Biology 23:975-981.

II. FOR DISCUSSION  31 OCTOBER:

Grant and Grant. 2002. Unpredictable Evolution in a 30-Year Study of Darwin's Finches. Science 296:707-711.

     This will be a little challenging.  A couple of hints to start with:  1) think of 'principal components analysis' as a way of finding strong general patterns across a bunch of different measurements -- so first principal component ("PC1") is an index synthesized from many different measurements that reflects the most significant overall differences among (in this study) finches; in this case it is most influenced by overall body size.  2) 'skewness' in a distribution refers to the amount of asymmetry in that distribution.  
     There will be other technical terms and methods; try to get a sense of what general meanings and purposes; look words up if they seem important. But do not expect to 'master' everything.
     MAKE NOTES as you read of any other terms/ideas/approaches that you have questions about, and bring them up in class.