Individual and group projects are conducted on field trips. Graduate credit may be awarded for conducting additional research. Ecology of the coastal zone of Ecuador, including a survey of shallow marine and terrestrial ecosystems. This course examines the ecology of tropical dry forests, mangrove swamps, reefs, rocky and sandy shorelines, and agroecosystems. The course includes lectures presented during a two week period in Quito, followed by two weeks of intensive field studies along the coast of Ecuador, and a one week trip to the Galapagos Islands.
Field study includes sampling and observations, and individual and group projects.
Graduate credit may be awarded to full-time graduate students by conducting additional research. Ecology of the Ecuadorian rainforest, including principles applied to the function of the tropical rainforest, using the Amazon basin as an example. This course examines rainforest habitats, biodiversity, conservation, specialization, and co-evolution of rainforest species. The course includes lectures presented during a two week period in Quito, followed by four weeks of intensive study in the Ecuadorian rainforest. Time in the field is dedicated primarily to individual and group research projects.