ERS 234Forest Ecosystems
- Units
- 0.50
- Faculty
- Environment
When it runs
- F24
- W25
- S25
- F25
- W26
- S26
- F26
- W27
- S27
Ran in 2 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled, 2 lecture sections. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.
This course examines the fundamental concepts of forest ecology and the role of forests in terrestrial ecosystems. The course will be divided into four sections, and will integrate case studies to introduce the student to current research problems in the study of forest ecology. Topics include: impacts/dependence of humans on forests; transfer and cycling of energy and nutrients; biophysical interactions; and forest management practices.
Prerequisites
- Students must be in level 2A or higher
Antirequisites
None listed.
Leads to
No course lists it as a requisite.
Winter 2027 sections
| Section | Class | Enrolled | Meets |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEC 001 | 5458 | 0 / 50 | F 08:30–11:20 |
| LEC 701 | 2151 | 34 / 9999 | Online or by arrangement |
Reviewed on UW Flow
71% liked it46% easy86% useful
From 7 ratings and 4 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.
The course is “easy,” in the plain sense that one need only attend the lectures, complete a single group assignment which might be finished within four-and-twenty hours, though four weeks are allowed for it, and then submit a final, not as an examination in a hall, but as a paper written at home.
The instruction is somewhat rudimentary, yet it ranges over a wide compass of topics bearing upon forest management. If you are interested in forestry, or if you wish to acquaint yourself with the kinds of knowledge by which questions of biosecurity are afterward understood, this course will serve you well as an introduction, and will furnish many subjects which you may pursue to greater depth by…Mar 2026 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
The textbook isn't worth the money or the time.
Jun 2020 · didn’t like itOn UW FlowRemove this
Course is made of a midterm, a short paper & exam. It is given a 3h lecture block - HOWEVER - most lectures only take half of the time. We use the 3h for movies - we watch 3 or 4. Do NOT bother buying the text book. $265 - the powerpoints are straight from the textbook - literally subtitles and information reworded! Not worth that much money.
Nov 2016 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Great course. The biggest issue was we weren't given enough time for what we were expected to write on the midterm, so people didn't do as well as they could have with more time.
Nov 2012 · liked itOn UW FlowRemove this
Discussed on r/uwaterloo
4 posts and comments in 4 threads mention ERS 234, January 2017 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.
Winter 2022
Looking for course recs in ers/envs 13 points, 7 comments
u/narutoismygod: “… my favourites were all the courses taught by Maren Oelberman, her midterms/exams are pure memorization but her content is so good IMO - ERS 234 (forest ecosystems), ERS 270 (Sust. …”
Fall 2017
Any way to disable UWCourseLinker from posting? 16 points, 26 comments
“posting a reply to my comment I find the bot annoying.”
u/Jackhofmann: “PSYCH 483 PSYCH 484 PSYCH 485 PSYCH 486 PSYCH 490R PSYCH 499A PSYCH 499B PSYCH 499C PSYCH 621 PSYCH 630 PSYCH 677A PSYCH 704A PSYCH 704B PSYCH 707 PSYCH 710 PSYCH 714 PSYCH 717 PSYCH 720A PSYCH 721A …”
u/Jackhofmann: “… 195 ENVS 200 ENVS 201 ENVS 278 ENVS 395 ENVS 401 ENVS 444 ERS 100 ERS 201 ERS 202 ERS 210 ERS 234 ERS 265 ERS 275 ERS 300 ERS 301 ERS 315 ERS 316 ERS 321 ERS 328 ERS 335 ERS 346 ERS 375 ERS 403A ERS 403B ERS 454 ERS 475 ERS 484 ERS 615 ERS 619 ERS 654 ERS 675 ERS 680 ERS 684 ERS …”
Winter 2017
What's the worst mark you've ever gotten? 15 points, 76 comments
“On an assignment, midterm, test, whatever. Doesn't count if you didn't try/didn't write it. Something you actually tried to do well on. Mine is 18% on a test in stat 230”
u/TheBalrogofMelkor: “Fourty-something on ERS 234 (Forest Ecology) essay. Ironically, one of my favourite classes. Prior to that, I got like 51% in grade 7 art.”
Anybody who's taken ERS/BIOL 383 - Tropical Ecosystems? 1 point, 6 comments
“I'm also gonna ask the professor, but Im just looking for some insights from students on how to approach this class. …”
u/TheBalrogofMelkor: “Is it with Dr. Oelbermann? Because she is a good teacher, but an insanely hard marker. I had her for ERS 234 (forest ecosystems), there were no Multiple Choice on midterm or final, nearly all long answer. Worst mark I ever had.”
Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026
- Undergraduate Calendar, 2026–27The official entry
- Requirements for Fall 2026Waterloo’s requisite checker
- Schedule of Classes, Fall 2026Instructors, rooms, live seats
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- Course outlinesSyllabi from past terms (UW login)
- UW FlowStudent ratings and reviews
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