Ecuadorian Ecosystems: Geography, Diversity, and Conservation

Catalog description

Ecuador is aptly known as "The Country of Four Worlds" due to its four distinct biogeographical landscapes: the Andean highlands, Amazonia, Coastal Region, and the Galapagos Islands. This immersive field-based course will take students to three of these four regions. Class begins during spring semester where students will learn the foundations of the natural history of Ecuadorian Ecosystems. The course then follows with a 3-week field component. Travel will begin in the Andean capital of Quito, from there we will venture to the heart of the Amazon within Yasuni Biosphere Reserve, next we move to the Andean Cloud forests, and finally, the course finishes in the world-famous Galapagos Islands. This course is designed to provide tangible, real-world exposure to the biology and ecosystems of Ecuador.