Tropical Terrestrial and Watershed Biology

Catalog description

This is a two part course, combining traditional lecture with practical field experience. The lecture portion will examine the basic principles of terrestrial and aquatic ecology as they apply to tropical watersheds. Special emphasis will be given to the biogeography, water cycle and watersheds, nutrient cycling, biodiversity and evolution, animal natural history, land-sea margins, and conservation of tropical ecosystems. The practical field experience takes the form of a mandatory two week field trip to Belize where students will experience first-hand biographically distinct watersheds, terrestrial biomes, fish and wildlife, as well as interact with native people and cultures.