Student evaluation is based on a required journal, a paper, and class participation. Knowledge of Spanish is helpful. Preference is given to students in a health-science program. Mr. P. Tigchelaar. Diversity and Conservation in Central America.
Tropical ecosystems contain the largest concentrations of earth's biological diversity.
Under the pressures of human population growth and resource use, the tropics are also regions experiencing the highest rates of biodiversity loss. Participants in this course explore the plant, animal, and ecosystem diversity of tropical ecosystems in Belize and Costa Rica and study strategies that these countries employ to conserve biodiversity in the face of social and economic development. Ecosystems studied include coral reefs, rainforests, limestone caves, alpine cloud forests, and paramo. Daily fieldwork combines plant and animal identification, investigation of ecosystem processes, and evaluation of human impact. Course evaluation is based on a daily field journal, active participation in course activities, and one test.