2013 Winter Course Announcement (December 20, 2013-January 9, 2014) FIELD COURSE IN TROPICAL CONSERVATION ECOLOGY (TCE W-13)
COURSE LOCATION: Bocas del Toro Biological Station, Boca del Drago, Isla Colon, Republic of Panama. The biological station is located on a hill facing the Caribbean Sea. Coral reef, seagrass and mangrove ecosystems are in front of the station and lowland tropical forests lie directly behind. This juxtaposition of the two most biologically diverse ecosystems provides tremendous opportunities for education and research. See http://www.itec-edu.org/index.html for details. INSTRUCTOR: Dr. Julie E. Helson, University of Toronto, Canada., email: [email protected], Specialty: conservation ecology, ecological theory applied to current environmental problems, community ecology, plant-insect interactions. COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to provide the student with a sound foundation in ecological concepts and field techniques as applied to conservation ecology in a tropical setting. The material covered is equivalent to a university upper level course in conservation ecology. The course will include a discussion of general conservation biology topics and principals, as well as taking a more focused look at conservation issues affecting developing countries in the tropics and especially the Neotropics (e.g., uncontrolled development, burgeoning tourism, population growth, deforestation, pollution, and the over-utilization of marine resources). Students in this course will also work closely with the local communities (e.g., local schools to develop conservation education programs; and the local indigenous Ngöbe community to analyze the effects of tourism) . The course is divided into five distinct categories: formal classroom lectures (written exam); informal field lectures; readings, discussions and critiques presented by students; group field projects; and individual research projects. Lectures. Formal lectures will take place in the classroom and will include the use of PowerPoint presentations and chalk boards. Main topics that will be covered are provided in the "Formal Lecture Topics". Lectures will also provide information to orientate students for both group and individual projects. Informal lectures will be provided periodically during orientation walks (when you first arrive), during group field projects, and in discussion groups. Formal Lecture Topics · What is Conservation Biology? · Defining Biodiversity · The Conservation Biologist's Toolbox · Valuing Biodiversity · Threats to Biodiversity (Habitat destruction, Habitat fragmentation, Overexploitation, Invasive species, Climate change, Fire) · Documenting and Predicting Extinctions · Conserving Species and Populations / Consequences of Small Populations · Conservation Planning, Priorities, and Management (Protected Areas) · Conservation Outside Protected Areas · Sustainable Development · From Conservation Theory to Practice Readings. Readings corresponding to lecture-topics will be assigned from the course text and from relevant articles in the primary literature. In addition, each student will read, critique, and provide oral reports on a published paper from the primary literature. Required Text Sodhi N.S., and Ehrlich P.R. (eds.) (2010). Conservation Biology for All. Oxford University Press Inc., New York, U.S.A. (Available online) Required journal articles will be provided to students before the field semester. Other Important Books on Conservation Biology Primack R.B. (2012). A Primer of Conservation Biology (5th ed.). Sinauer Associates Inc., Sunderland, MA, U.S.A. Primack R.B. (2010). Essentials of Conservation Biology (5th ed.). Sinauer Associates Inc., Sunderland, MA, U.S.A. Van Dyke F. (2008). Conservation Biology - Foundations, Concepts, Applications (2nd ed.). Springer, Dordrecht, Netherlands. Group Field Projects and Exercises. These are research or instructional projects designed by the faculty and will be worked on by students in small groups (3-4 individuals). When appropriate, all data will be pooled at the end of an assignment creating a class dataset. The purpose of these projects is for students to gain experience with sampling techniques and equipment commonly used in conservation ecology fieldwork. For each project, students will be expected to collect data, analyze data (when appropriate), and write a report. Each small group of students will be expected to present the results of one project orally to the class. There will be 3-6 group projects. Individual Research Projects. Each student will be responsible for designing and completing an original research project, which may deal with any topic in conservation. In consultation with the instructor, students will chose their research topic, drawing from experiences during groups projects, lectures, and readings. By the beginning of the second week, students will be expected to submit a written proposal to the instructor for evaluation in terms of conceptual validity, experimental design, and feasibility (available time). Students will analyze their data and write up their findings in scientific journal format (using the journal Conservation Biology as a template), as well as orally present their findings to the class. All reports must be completed before leaving Bocas del Toro. Grading. Up to 6 units of credit will be given, 3 for the lecture portion and 3 for the field portion. A letter grade will be assigned based on attendance at lectures, exams, reports, proposals, as well as by more subjective criteria such as personal attitude, motivation, and contribution to the course. The instructor will provide a break-down of points earned and final letter grade to your academic institution. The student is to provide direct evidence of participation such as syllabus, schedules, handouts, lecture notes, proposals, reports, etc. Please arrange for credit through your department or academic advisor. Contact ITEC for details. TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE Day 1 Arrive via flight from Panama City. Day 2 Orientation with the station and trail system, lecture. Day 3-8 Group research projects, proposals, lectures. Day 9-16 Individual research, lectures. Day 11-12 Optional field trip to Vocan Barú cloud forests. Day 17-19 Analysis and write-up of individual research, lectures. Day 20 Oral presentation of individual research, party. Day 21 Return home. BOQUETE CLOUD FOREST FIELD TRIP: This field trip will allow students the opportunity to visit other areas of Panama, to experience Panamanian culture, and to visit tropical cloud and seasonal forests first hand. We travel in ITEC boats to the mainland and then by chartered bus to Boquete which lies at the base of 11,000 ft. Volcan Baru. The bus trip will take us up and over the central mountain range and through Palo Seco National Park. Several stops will be made in route. COURSE LENGTH: ITEC Winter field courses are about three weeks in length. The TCE W-13 will run from December 20, 2013 through January 9, 2014. TUITION: $1850 USD. Tuition fee includes all lodging, meals and airport transfers in Bocas del Toro. The tuition also covers transportation and lodging during the 3-day cloud forest field trip on the mainland. REGISTRATION DEADLINE: November 20, 2013. The course is limited to 10 students and applications will be evaluated as they arrive. Applications can be found at http://www.itec-edu.org/application.pdf. If you believe that your application may arrive late, notify ITEC. CONTACT: Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation, 2911 NW 40th PL, Gainesville, FL 32605, phone: 352-367-9128, email: [email protected], web: http://www.itec-edu.org. ITEC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1996. ********************************* Peter N. Lahanas, Ph.D. Executive Director Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation (ITEC) 2911 NW 40th Place Gainesville, FL 32605, USA phn: 352-367-9128 web: http://www.itec-edu.org In Panama: 011-507-6853-2134 [email protected] Bocas del Toro Biological Station Boca del Drago, Isla Colon, Panama Field Station Manager, Enrique Dixon 011-507-6624-9246
