Tropical Ecology Instructor: Dr. Elliott W.R. Parsons Email: eparsons@hawaii.edu Phone: (415) 312-8437 Course description: One of the most intriguing challenges in ecology has been to understand and explain the dazzling abundance of species in tropical ecosystems. Why, for example, do tropical forests contain upwards of 50% of all species when the land area occupied by tropical forests is only about 7%? When broken down to different taxonomic groups, the differences between tropical and temperate ecosystems are striking. For example, there are only 195 different species of bird in New York State, but an equal sized-area of land in the neo-tropics (i.e. Central America) may contain over 1,100 bird species! This gradient in diversity also holds for many other taxonomic groups including trees, butterflies, ants, amphibians, and even soil microbes. Interestingly, however, the pattern doesn’t hold for some groups such as ground-dwelling mammals. What causes and maintains these patterns? Why are some taxonomic groups or ecosystems more diverse in the tropics while others are not? What determines the distribution of species in general? In this 2-week seminar-style and field-based course we will explore the answers to these questions in depth. During the first week we will cover the basics of different terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems within the tropics including tropical rain and cloud forests, tropical dry forests and savannas, as well as mangroves and coral reefs. We will discuss land area, climate, and topography as well as the natural history of some of the most interesting and well known species within each ecosystem with a special focus on lowland tropical rain forests. In addition to class discussions we will have daily field excursions to learn field techniques and how to identify common species (especially lizards and frogs, birds, insects and mammals). At the end of the first week students will understand what makes tropical ecosystems unique and will be able to identify and discuss the ecology of some of the species that inhabit La Suerte. During the second week, topics of discussion will include the biological and ecological processes that influence ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity. We will briefly cover diversity gradients as well as the role of species within ecosystems and species interactions. We’ll also discuss the importance of biogeography in influencing ecology. For example, what were the consequences of the formation of the Panamian land-bridge that united Central and South America for the first time in millions of years? This unification led to a mixing of species from both continents and we’ll discuss the ecological winners and losers of this dramatic event. Finally, we will discuss the “anthropocene” – or the current geologic epoch where human modification of the environment is leading to the ‘sixth’ great extinction event in the history of life on earth. During this second week we’ll also spend a half day exploring the La Suerte River and there will be a “night frog walk” to find as many species of frog as we possibly can. By the end of the second week students will be able to understand and explain the role of species identity, interactions, and geography in influencing species abundances and distribution in the neotropics. Course level and philosophy: This course is open to all undergraduates (freshman to senior) and graduate students, as well as anyone interested in gaining a background in tropical ecology and field methods. There are no course prerequisites. Expect the course to be packed full of field activities, readings, class discussions, lectures, and adventures. Therefore, plan to work hard, immerse yourself fully and dive into everything 110%! This course will prepare you for future work in biology, ecology, conservation, sustainability, and more. And finally, be prepared to have an awesome time in Costa Rica! Course dates: December 28th 2011 – January 13th 2012. Course location: La Suerte Biological Field Station, Costa Rica. Space limitations: Space on this course is limited! If you are interested in taking this course, please express your interest A.S.A.P. by contacting Elliott Parsons by email: eparsons@hawaii.edu. Cost: Tuition is $1895. Assessment and credit: Your final grade/mark will be based on the following, and determined out of a total of 100 points: Participation and contribution to class discussions, 25 points (25%) Participation in field methods and field excursions 25 points (25%) Field notebook 25 points (25%) Class activities 25 points (25%) Coursework marking can be adjusted to accommodate non-US grading/marking systems. If you wish to get college/university credit for this course, please contact me as we will need to make arrangements with your home institution. Course Books: The following books have been chosen to help develop supplementary understanding of tropical forest environments and ecology and evolution in general. The books are available on the internet at www.amazon.com. Wilson, E.O. 2010 Edition. The Diversity of Life. Paperback (~$15.00). Kricher, J. and M. Plotkin. 1999. A Neotropical Companion. Paperback (~$20.00). Although not required, I recommend that each student bring field guides for any flora and fauna in which they may be interested. Please contact me for recommendations. Some books of interest (not required): Costa Rican Natural History by Daniel Janzen (~$33) Green Phoenix: Restoring Tropical Forests of Costa Rica by William Allen (~$19) Field Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica by Gary Stiles & Alexander Skutch (~$26) Neotropical Rainforest Mammals: A Field Guide Louise Emmons & Francois Feer (~$26). Recommended equipment: A list of required equipment will be sent to students as the course draws nearer. Important equipment will include: lightweight field clothes (long-sleeves and pants), a sun hat, binoculars, a field notebook, a head lamp or flashlight, tall rubber boots (or hiking boots with knee-high snake gators), and a mosquito net. About the instructor: Elliott Parsons has been leading groups and teaching environmental ecology for over 10 years. He has a Ph.D. in Fish and Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana, and he has taught environmental studies, wilderness survival, natural history, and animal tracking at U.C. Santa Cruz and Santa Clara University as well as tropical ecology for Mesa Community College.

Tropical Ecology

Instructor: Dr. Elliott W.R. Parsons

Phone: (415) 312-8437

Course description:

One of the most intriguing challenges in ecology has been to understand and explain the dazzling abundance of species in tropical ecosystems. Why, for example, do tropical forests contain upwards of 50% of all species when the land area occupied by tropical forests is only about 7%? When broken down to different taxonomic groups, the differences between tropical and temperate ecosystems are striking. For example, there are only 195 different species of bird in New York State, but an equal sized-area of land in the neo-tropics (i.e. Central America) may contain over 1,100 bird species! This gradient in diversity also holds for many other taxonomic groups including trees, butterflies, ants, amphibians, and even soil microbes. Interestingly, however, the pattern doesn’t hold for some groups such as ground-dwelling mammals. What causes and maintains these patterns? Why are some taxonomic groups or ecosystems more diverse in the tropics while others are not? What determines the distribution of species in general?

In this 2-week seminar-style and field-based course we will explore the answers to these questions in depth. During the first week we will cover the basics of different terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems within the tropics including tropical rain and cloud forests, tropical dry forests and savannas, as well as mangroves and coral reefs. We will discuss land area, climate, and topography as well as the natural history of some of the most interesting and well known species within each ecosystem with a special focus on lowland tropical rain forests. In addition to class discussions we will have daily field excursions to learn field techniques and how to identify common species (especially lizards and frogs, birds, insects and mammals). At the end of the first week students will understand what makes tropical ecosystems unique and will be able to identify and discuss the ecology of some of the species that inhabit La Suerte.

During the second week, topics of discussion will include the biological and ecological processes that influence ecosystem dynamics and biodiversity. We will briefly cover diversity gradients as well as the role of species within ecosystems and species interactions. We’ll also discuss the importance of biogeography in influencing ecology. For example, what were the consequences of the formation of the Panamian land-bridge that united Central and South America for the first time in millions of years? This unification led to a mixing of species from both continents and we’ll discuss the ecological winners and losers of this dramatic event. Finally, we will discuss the “anthropocene” – or the current geologic epoch where human modification of the environment is leading to the ‘sixth’ great extinction event in the history of life on earth. During this second week we’ll also spend a half day exploring the La Suerte River and there will be a “night frog walk” to find as many species of frog as we possibly can. By the end of the second week students will be able to understand and explain the role of species identity, interactions, and geography in influencing species abundances and distribution in the neotropics.

Course level and philosophy:

This course is open to all undergraduates (freshman to senior) and graduate students, as well as anyone interested in gaining a background in tropical ecology and field methods. There are no course prerequisites. Expect the course to be packed full of field activities, readings, class discussions, lectures, and adventures. Therefore, plan to work hard, immerse yourself fully and dive into everything 110%! This course will prepare you for future work in biology, ecology, conservation, sustainability, and more. And finally, be prepared to have an awesome time in Costa Rica!

Course dates:

December 28th 2011 – January 13th 2012.

Course location:

La Suerte Biological Field Station, Costa Rica.

Space limitations:

Space on this course is limited! If you are interested in taking this course, please express your interest A.S.A.P. by contacting Elliott Parsons by email: eparsons@hawaii.edu.

Cost:

Tuition is $1895.

Assessment and credit:

Your final grade/mark will be based on the following, and determined out of a total of 100 points:

Participation and contribution to class discussions, 25 points (25%)

Participation in field methods and field excursions 25 points (25%)

Field notebook 25 points (25%)

Class activities 25 points (25%)

Coursework marking can be adjusted to accommodate non-US grading/marking systems. If you wish to get college/university credit for this course, please contact me as we will need to make arrangements with your home institution.

Course Books:

The following books have been chosen to help develop supplementary understanding of tropical forest environments and ecology and evolution in general. The books are available on the internet at www.amazon.com.

1)Wilson, E.O. 2010 Edition. The Diversity of Life. Paperback (~$15.00).
2)Kricher, J. and M. Plotkin. 1999. A Neotropical Companion. Paperback (~$20.00).

Although not required, I recommend that each student bring field guides for any flora and fauna in which they may be interested. Please contact me for recommendations.

Some books of interest (not required):

1)Costa Rican Natural History by Daniel Janzen (~$33)
2)Green Phoenix: Restoring Tropical Forests of Costa Rica by William Allen (~$19)
3)Field Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica by Gary Stiles & Alexander Skutch (~$26)
4)Neotropical Rainforest Mammals: A Field Guide Louise Emmons & Francois Feer (~$26).

Recommended equipment:

A list of required equipment will be sent to students as the course draws nearer. Important equipment will include: lightweight field clothes (long-sleeves and pants), a sun hat, binoculars, a field notebook, a head lamp or flashlight, tall rubber boots (or hiking boots with knee-high snake gators), and a mosquito net.

About the instructor:

Elliott Parsons has been leading groups and teaching environmental ecology for over 10 years. He has a Ph.D. in Fish and Wildlife Biology from the University of Montana, and he has taught environmental studies, wilderness survival, natural history, and animal tracking at U.C. Santa Cruz and Santa Clara University as well as tropical ecology for Mesa Community College.