Dear ECOLOG Community,
*Antioch Education Abroad now offers two Brazil program options for undergraduates, a one-month summer term and a three-month fall semester. * Both are open to undergraduate students from colleges and universities across the U.S. Our affiliates in Brazil included faculty and doctoral students at the Federal University of Paraná, the Federal University of Mato Grosso, and the National Institute of Amazonian Research (Manaus), as well as several NGOs working in different areas of biological conservation. *The application deadline for both the summer term and fall semester is March 15*, but study abroad offices at many schools have earlier internal deadlines. *Summer Term (4 credits mid July – mid Aug)* participants compare the flora, fauna, and ecological characteristics of two different Brazilian rainforests: the Amazon Rainforest and the Atlantic Coastal Forest. Students also have the opportunity to visit coastal marine systems and learn about current research efforts to understand them. *Fall Semester (16 credits late Aug – late Nov)* participants study the value of biodiversity, the causes and patterns of biodiversity loss, the ecological significance of human disturbances, and methods of hypothesis testing in the field of conservation biology, issues of sustainable management and protection of Brazil’s biodiversity, including environmental policy and the role of non-governmental organizations in protective management. During the final four weeks of the semester, each student works with a Brazilian researcher on an ongoing study pertaining to ecology and/or conservation biology, or works with an environmental organization dedicated to environmental protection. Students also study Portuguese language at the introductory, intermediate or advanced level, all of which emphasize conversational proficiency and include a short homestay with a Brazilian family. Participating in either program gives students an opportunity to work and study in more than one tropical ecosystem, each located in a different biogeographical region of Brazil. *A few highlights from the 2014 program*: During our stay in the Amazon we used frog species as a taxonomic group representing species richness. Conducting field surveys with Pedro Ivô, who is a specialist in this area, one survey found ten species in only 1.5 hours. For the research proposal challenges held, one team of students proposed a study to determine whether the standing biomass of trees in the Amazon would decrease if liana abundance increased. The students did a great job of explaining why this might occur and how it would weaken the role of Amazon Rainforest in serving as a carbon sink. During our stay on the coast of southern Brazil, we focused on three small islands visible from the shore that are the target for establishing a new marine conservation unit. They belong to a string of island stepping stones that form a migration corridor for endangered marine species. We met and spoke with a number of different stakeholders involved or impacted by this new conservation measure. Our study of Brazil’s Atlantic Forest included a research project to test whether moss abundance increases along a gradient from early to late successional forests. Independent research projects included looking at the effects of oil spills on oxidative stress levels in coastal intertidal zones. On top of their workloads the students somehow managed to find the time to learn how to samba and play some soccer with local community kids. They always greatly enjoy their immersion in Brazilian culture. The Portuguese language course, which includes a short homestay with a Brazilian family, remains as popular as ever. *ECOLOG Students*: If you are passionate about the ecology and conservation of tropical habitats you should take advantage of either of these opportunities and apply as soon as possible! *ECOLOG Faculty*: If you have students who might benefit from attending the program, please spread the word. Please visit our website at www.antioch.edu/brazil and our Facebook Group Page https://www.facebook.com/groups/188136317882537/ and contact Dr. Suzanne Kolb, Director of the Brazilian Ecosystems program with questions: [email protected] I wish you all the best – Suzanne Kolb Suzanne Kolb, Ph.D. Ecology Associate Professor of Environmental Science Director, Brazilian Ecosystems Program AEA/Antioch University 900 Dayton Street, Yellow Springs, OH 45387 Office: 937-769-1018
