Through the California Ecology and Conservation class with the UC Natural Reserve System (NRS), UC students spend seven weeks living and studying at different NRS reserves. While conducting firsthand study of California ecosystems, students gain skills in field research methods, experimental design, data analysis, scientific writing, and public speaking. California Ecology and Conservation emphasizes the skills needed to conduct independent scientific research.

During her time at the James San Jacinto Mountains Reserve, CNAS student Marina Kelada and her peers conducted research on “Ventral coloration and body condition do not affect territorial behavior in two Sceloporus lizards”.

CNAS student, Mina Sadek, also did research at the James Reserve. Her class did research on “Host tree circumference, litter depth, and slope affect snow plant (Sarcodes sanguinea) size at James San Jacinto Mountain Reserve”.

While at the Sweeney Granite Mountains Desert Research Center, CNAS student Avrodet Moruku did research on the patterns of nectar robbing on two manzanita species.

CNAS student Roxanne Ramirez also conducted research at the Sweeney Granite Mountains Desert Research Center. Her class focused on the “Evidence of niche partitioning among small mammals in the Eastern Mojave Desert from scat distribution”.

To learn more about the California Ecology and Conservation class with the UC Natural Reserves System visit ucnrs.org/teaching/cec.