Evolutionary Ecology Across Climatic Gradients

Catalog description

Ecuador is one of the most biodiverse and climatically varied countries in the world. This course explores evolutionary ecology across a spectacular altitudinal gradient from the high latitudes paramo of the Andes into the highly biodiverse lowland tropical rainforest. The course begins with a cohort building retreat with workshops on field safety and cultural humility. Then, through field-based lectures and workshops, data collection, self-driven reflections, we explore the vast differences in the ecology and evolution across these biomes. The course concludes with an intendent research project at the Tiputini Biological Station one of the most biodiverse places on earth comprising a canopy of enormous tropical trees covered by fascinating epiphytes and lianas, multiple species of monkeys and tropical birds, and a stunning diversity of arthropods.