Biology/Environmental Studies 286: Tropical Ecology and Sustainable Land
Use in Costa Rica - Interim 2012
Professor: Kathleen Shea, Ph.D, Professor of Biology and
Environmental Studies, Curator of Natural Lands, St. Olaf College, Northfield,
MN, sheak@stolaf.edu
Major
Credit: Biology and Environmental Studies; prerequisite one
natural science class
Course Description
Tropical
Ecology offers students the opportunity to study first-hand the most diverse
ecosystems on earth. Through this course students will explore/study lowland
rain forest, montane/cloud forest, dry forest, coastal, and agricultural
ecosystems through projects and field trips. Costa Rica is an example of a tropical
country where conservation and sustainable land use are high priorities and
students see possible alternatives for ecosystem management. Students read and discuss texts and primary
literature specific to ecology and conservation of each area, and have time for
journaling and reflection.
CATIE,
an international research institution and graduate school focusing on
agriculture and natural resource management will host the course. We will
initially stay at CATIE and learn about their work on sustainable agriculture,
management of tropical forests and conservation of tropical cultivars of
economic value to the region. While the indigenous population is not large in
Costa Rica, we will have the opportunity to visit Bribri tribe in the community
of Yorkin in southeastern Costa Rica. At Cahuita National Park we will to see
coral reefs and examine the impacts of agriculture on coastal marine
ecosystems.
For
the lowland tropical rainforest segment we will stay at La Selva Biological
Station, one of the foremost research stations in tropical forest ecology,
operated by the Organization for Tropical Studies. Monteverde Cloud Forest
Reserve will be the site of our upper elevation/montane forest studies. Much
research has been done in this area on forest ecology and sustainable
agriculture. We will study the tropical dry forest at Santa Rosa National Park
with a stop to look for sea turtles along the way.
Course Objectives
The
following are expectations of students in the course:
·
To learn the key
features of tropical ecosystems from lowland tropical rain forests to montane/cloud
forests, dry forests, coastal marine habitats and nearby agricultural areas,
including organisms, climate and soil characteristics.
·
To learn the
adaptations and life histories of some of the plants and animals in tropical environments.
·
To appreciate the
beauty and wonder of these tropical environments and their global importance.
·
To learn about
the process of research by making observations, developing scientific
hypotheses, collecting data and explaining the results.
·
To examine the
impact of humans on the natural environment and the complexities of balancing
conservation, agriculture, and sustainable development in Costa Rica.
Much of the fieldwork will
focus on observations and measurements in the field, rather than collecting
specimens. We want to reduce our impact on natural habitats and follow
restrictions on use of areas that we visit.
Assignments:
Each
student is expected to keep a journal of reflections on their experiences. You
will be encouraged to respond to what you are learning as a biologist,
environmentalist, anthropologist or sociologist, a lover of nature and a
tourist. Students will take turns leading discussions on topics from the
assigned readings. Student evaluation will be based on journals, field projects,
papers, participation in class activities, and a final exam. Each student is
expected to attend and participate in all planned events, from talks to field
trips and group discussions, some of which will be held in the evening.
Students
will participate in group research projects at La Selva and Monteverde. Results
of the projects will be presented in written form and orally to the rest of the
class. Students will also be asked to write one paper related to agriculture or
conservation in Costa Rica.
Required Texts (tentative):
Kricher, J. 1999. A Neotropical Companion: An
Introduction to the Animals, Plants, and Ecosystems of the New World Tropics (2nd
ed.). Princeton University Press.
Articles as assigned.
Itinerary
Week 1,2 Fly
to San Jose, visit CATIE and local farms, Bribri indigenous community, Cahuita
National Park, coastal ecosystems
Week 2 La
Selva Biological Station, lowland tropical rainforest
Week 3 Monteverde
Cloud Forest Reserve, biodiversity management and sustainable agriculture
Week 4 Santa
Rosa National Park, dry forest and coastal ecology
Final
exam, return to U.S.A.
