Record data and field observations in an organized field journal. Conceive, design, and conduct biological research relating to tropical dry forest ecology. Interact with Mexican and other Latin American researchers investigating tropical dry forests. In Morelia, students will gain a background on dry forest ecology and develop proposals of research to be conducted during our three-week stay at a biological field station in Chamela, Jalisco. In Chamela, students will also conduct general field observations on the natural history of the region and keep a detailed field journal.
Course meets once each week for lecture, discussion, and research proposal development.
The class will lead a discussion of selected readings relating to the lecture topic for that day. Everyone is required to read the selected papers, come with a written summary and questions, and participate actively in discussion. Daily field work plus occasional discussions. You will keep a field journal, and participate in various field activities. Introduction to the principles and practice of conservation biology, with emphasis on case studies.