300359 SE+UE Stable Isotopes in Ecology (2023W)

The goal of this practical class is to introduce students into application of stable isotope techniques in ecology, microbial, plant and animal sciences. We will demonstrate the use of stable isotopes as tracers in metabolic studies and ecosystem flux measurements. Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to analyze, evaluate and interpret stable isotope ratios of ecological materials. They understand the concept of source partitioning and isotope discrimination and thereby the basic mechanisms of how the stable isotopic composition of organisms and ecosystem compartments are controlled. Successful students will know how natural abundance stable isotopes and enriched isotopes can be used as tracers and integrators of metabolic and ecological processes such as carbon and nitrogen cycling of ecosystems, soil-vegetation-atmosphere exchange, and trophic relationships in food webs and how stable isotopes can be used in microbial, plant and animal ecophysiology.