Comparative Tropical Ecology ENVI-3005 (3 Credits / 45 class hours)

Transcription

1 Comparative Tropical Ecology ENVI-3005 (3 Credits / 45 class hours) SIT Study Abroad Program: Ecuador: Comparative Ecology and Conservation Academic Director: Xavier Silva, Ph.D. PLEASE NOTE: This syllabus represents a recent semester. Because courses develop and change over time to take advantage of unique learning opportunities, actual course content varies from semester to semester. Course Description The Comparative Tropical Ecology seminar focuses on the ecological and biological dynamics of Ecuador s ecosystems, emphasizing the most relevant biotic and abiotic elements in each environment. The course covers ecological interactions, biodiversity, bio-indicator organisms, evolutionary processes, and use of biodiversity indexes. The roles and adaptations of the major biological organisms such as plants, insects, birds, and mammals of Ecuador are also examined. Comparative analyses are made among a diversity of ecosystems and locations, including cloud forest, sub-alpine Páramo, Amazon tropical rainforest, and the Galápagos Islands. Learning outcomes By the end of the course students will be able to: Describe the prominent features of the ecosystems studied, including soil structure, vegetation dynamics, geomorphology, and microclimate. Classify the most significant group species in Ecuador, particularly in terms of plants, insects, birds, and mammals. Articulate the relevance of Ecuadorian ecosystems and their biological importance to Northwest South America and the Neotropics. Discuss the relevance of key bio-indicator organisms, biodiversity indexes, population structure studies, and other biological analyses. Identify the most relevant evolutionary features shown by co-evolutionary biological groups, such as plants and insects. Language of Instruction The academic content of this course is taught predominantly in Spanish; all orientation and logistical issues are provided in English. Copyright SIT, a program of World Learning 1

2 Course Schedule *Please be aware that topics and excursions may vary to take advantage of any emerging events, to accommodate changes in our lecturers availability, and to respect any changes that would affect student safety. Students will be notified if this occurs. Module 1: Ecuador s General Ecology and Introduction to Cloud Forest Ecology This module includes an overview of the most important ecosystems of Ecuador with special emphasis on cloud forests. Analyses of these ecosystems include their principle ecological dynamics as well as discussion of historical events influencing Ecuador s ecological realm. This module also includes an introduction to cloud forest ecology. Fieldwork and activities are carried out in the cloud forest. Session 1: Ecosystems of Ecuador: Introduction to the most important ecosystems in Ecuador and their main biotic and abiotic characteristics. Required Reading: Silva, X. (2013). Ecosistemas del Ecuador. Descripción de los ecosistemas más importantes del Session 2: Ecology and History of Ecuador: Ecuador s ecological timeline and an ecological analysis of the most important historical events determining the current ecological reality of Ecuador. Session 3: Introduction to Cloud Forest Ecology: Cloud Forests of Ecuador: major mammal species and amphibians. Required Readings: Silva, X. (2013). Ecosistemas del Ecuador. Descripción de los ecosistemas más importantes del Tirira, S. D. (2007). Mami feros del Ecuador: Guiá de campo. Quito: Ediciones Murcieĺago Blanco. Paéz-Moscoso, D. J., Guayasamin, J. M., & Yańez-Munõz, M. (2011). A new species of Andean toad (Bufonidae, Osornophryne) discovered using molecular and morphological data, with a taxonomic key for the genus. Zoo Keys, (108), Yanez-Munoz, M. H., Toral-Contreras, E., Bejarano-Munoz, E. P., Paucar, D., Meza-Ramos, P. A., Mueses-Cisneros, J. J., & Reyes-Puig, J. P. (2012). New country records for five species of Pristimantis Jimeńez de la Espada, 1870 from Ecuador. Check List, 8(2), Session 4: Introduction to Hummingbirds and their Natural History Yanacocha Reserve Ridgely, R. S., Greenfield, P. J., & Coopmans, P. (2001). The Birds of Ecuador: Vol. II: A field guide. Ithaca: Comstock Pub./Cornell University Press. Session 5: Botany Field Studies in Cloud Forest: Field botany, main systematics, field analysis, and applications (provided in several sub-sessions during the cloud forest excursion). Copyright SIT, a program of World Learning 2

3 Robayo, J. (2013). Botánica del Ecuador. Descripción de las familias botánicas más importantes del Gentry, A. H., & Conservation International. (1996). A field guide to the families and genera of woody plants of northwest South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru), with supplementary notes on herbaceous taxa. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Session 6: Ornithology Field Studies in Cloud Forest: Field analysis, main systematics, and applications (provided in several sub-sessions during the cloud forest excursion). Ridgely, R. S., Greenfield, P. J., & Coopmans, P. (2001). The Birds of Ecuador: Vol. II: A field guide. Ithaca: Comstock Pub./Cornell University Press. Session 7: Entomology Field Studies in Cloud Forest: Field analysis, main systematics, applications (provided in several sub-sessions during the Cloud Forest excursion). Alban, F., & and Silva, X. (2007). Insects of Ecuador. Description of the main Insect Orders in Silva, X. (2011). Ecología de mariposas del Ecuador. Ecuador's butterfly ecology. Quito: Imprenta Mariscal. Assignment during Module 1: Conduct Cloud Forest Section of Field Notebook Module 2: Páramo Highlands This module includes the study of the main ecological, biological, and evolutionary features of the Andean Páramo, including the most interesting adaptations and strategies for survival in extreme environments. Session 1: Páramo Workshop: Ecosystem dynamics of the Páramo: geological origin; biological adaptations to high altitude; ecological structure; botanical composition; and ecological threats (the workshop includes a lecture, group analysis in four working groups of students, and a plenary session). Required Reading: Silva, X. (2013). Ecosistemas del Ecuador. Descripción de los ecosistemas más importantes del Session 2: Botany Field Studies in the Páramo: Main adaptations of plants to high altitude; plant structures; systematics (provided in several sub-sessions along the Páramo excursion). Copyright SIT, a program of World Learning 3

4 Robayo, J. (2013). Botánica del Ecuador. Descripción de las familias botánicas más importantes del Gentry, A. H., & Conservation International. (1996). A field guide to the families and genera of woody plants of northwest South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru), with supplementary notes on herbaceous taxa. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Session 3: Ornithology Field Studies in the Páramo: Andean bird species, including key species, such as the Andean Condor and Black-faced Ibis (provided in several sub-sessions along the Páramo excursion). Ridgely, R. S., Greenfield, P. J., & Coopmans, P. (2001). The birds of Ecuador: Vol. II: A field guide. Ithaca: Comstock Pub./Cornell University Press. Session 4: Mammals of the Ecuadorian Páramo: Introduction to the principle mammal species in the Páramo and their biological adaptations: Andean Bear, Andean Fox, Andean Deer, Camelids, and others. Tirira, S. D. (2007). Mami feros del Ecuador: Guiá de campo. Quito: Ediciones Murcieĺago Blanco. Loor Bermúdez, D. K., & Reyes Puig, J. P. (2011). Dieta del tapir de montaña (Tapirus pinchaque) en tres localidades del corredor ecológico Llangantes Sangay. Centro de Biodiversidad IASA Boletín Técnico 10, Serie Zoológica, 7, Assignments during Module 2: Conduct Páramo section of Field Notebook Conduct Paramo Section of Comparative Investigation Project for Research Methods and Ethics course Module 3: Ecosystems of the Galápagos Islands The Galápagos module provides an introduction to the study of the geology, oceanography, biology, and land ecosystems of the Galápagos archipelago. The most important evolutionary features of the archipelago are analyzed. Session 1: Galápagos Workshop: Introduction to Galápagos ecology; geology; Galápagos oceanography; principle ecosystems and life zones; evolution; endemism; and ecological issues (the workshop includes a lecture, then group analysis in four working groups of students, and a plenary session). Required Readings: Weiner, J. (1995). The beak of the finch: A story of evolution in our time. New York: Vintage Books. Grehan, J. (2001). Biogeography and evolution of the Galapagos: integration of the biological and geological evidence. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 74(3), Copyright SIT, a program of World Learning 4

5 Silva, X. (2013). Ecosistemas del Ecuador. Descripción de los ecosistemas más importantes del Session 2: Botany Field Studies in Galápagos: Native, endemic, and introduced species; tropical dry forest plants and adaptations (provided in several sub-sessions during the Galápagos excursion). McMullen, C. K. (1999). Flowering plants of the Galaṕagos. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. Robayo, J. (2013). Botánica del Ecuador. Descripción de las familias botánicas más importantes del Session 3: Ornithology Field Studies in Galápagos: Native, endemic, introduced species, and evolutionary adaptations of birds of the Galápagos (provided in several sub-sessions during the Galápagos excursion). Heinzel, H., & Hall, B. (2000). Galaṕagos diary: A complete guide to the archipelago's birdlife. Berkeley: University of California Press. Silva, X. (2012). Galapagos pocket guide (3 rd ed.). Quito: Pentagraphic Press. Session 4: Reef Fish and Other Marine Life in Galápagos: Study of the principle marine ecosystems of the Galápagos, including organism identification and adaptation (provided in several sub-sessions during the Galápagos excursion). Humann, P., & DeLoach, N. (2003). Reef fish identification: Galaṕagos. Jacksonville: New World Publications. Fitter, Julian, Daniel Fitter, and David Hosking (2001). Wildlife of the Galápagos. Harper Collins: London Hickman, C. P. (1998). A field guide to sea stars and other echinoderms of Galaṕagos. Lexington: Sugar Spring Press. Hickman, C. P., & Zimmerman, T. L. (2000). A field guide to crustaceans of Galaṕagos: An illustrated guidebook to the common barnacles, shrimps, lobsters, and crabs of the Galaṕagos Islands. Lexington: Sugar Spring Press. Hickman, C.P., & Finet, Y. (2000). A field guide to marine molluscs of Galaṕagos. Lexington: Sugar Spring Press. Assignments during Module 3: Conduct Galápagos Section of Field Notebook Conduct Galapagos Section of Comparative Investigation Project for Research Methods and Ethics course Copyright SIT, a program of World Learning 5

6 Module 4: Amazon Rainforest Ecology This module focuses on the main ecological and biological aspects of the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest, including the study of the most important biotic and abiotic elements encountered in Amazonia in general. Session 1: Amazon Workshop: Introduction to Amazon ecology; geological origin; Amazon soils; hydrology; forest structure; main ecosystems and ecological issues (the workshop includes a lecture, then group analysis in 4 working groups of students, and a plenary session). Required Reading: Silva, X. (2013). Ecosistemas del Ecuador. Descripción de los ecosistemas más importantes del Session 2: Botany Field Studies in the Amazon: Forest strata, lianas, medicinal and useful plants, systematics (provided in several sub-sessions during the Amazon excursion). Robayo, J. (2013). Botánica del Ecuador. Descripción de las familias botánicas más importantes del Gentry, A. H., & Conservation International. (1996). A field guide to the families and genera of woody plants of northwest South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru), with supplementary notes on herbaceous taxa. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Session 3: Pollination and Seed Dispersal in the Amazon: Pollination and seed dispersal strategies in the Amazon field instruction and practice. Robayo, J. (2013). Botánica del Ecuador. Descripción de las familias botánicas más importantes del Gentry, A. H., & Conservation International. (1996). A field guide to the families and genera of woody plants of northwest South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Peru), with supplementary notes on herbaceous taxa. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Session 4: Ornithology Field Studies in the Amazon: Field analysis, systematics, and applications of Amazonian birds (provided in several sub-sessions during the Amazon excursion). Ridgely, R. S., Greenfield, P. J., & Coopmans, P. (2001). The birds of Ecuador: Vol. II: A field guide. Ithaca: Comstock Pub./Cornell University Press. Session 5: Entomology Field Studies in the Amazon: Field analysis, systematics, applications of insects of the Amazon (provided in several sub-sessions during the Amazon excursion). Copyright SIT, a program of World Learning 6

7 Alban, F., & and Silva, X. (2007). Insects of Ecuador. Description of the main Insect Orders in Silva, X. (2011). Ecología de mariposas del Ecuador. Ecuador's butterfly ecology. Quito: Imprenta Mariscal. Session 6: The Great American Interchange: Paleontology, mammal species interchange between North and South America lecture. Tirira, S. D. (2007). Mamíferos del Ecuador: Guía de campo. Quito: Ediciones Murciélago Blanco. Session 7: Mammal Field Studies in the Amazon: Primates and Chiroptera: field investigation and main characteristics (provided in several sub-sessions during the Amazon excursion). Tirira, S. D. (2007). Mamíferos del Ecuador: Guía de campo. Quito: Ediciones Murciélago Blanco. Session 8: Fish Field Studies in the Amazon: Analysis of the predominant fish species in the Ecuadorian Amazon Basin and their ecology. Assignments during Module 4: Conduct Amazon Section of Field Notebook Conduct Amazon Section of Comparative Investigation Project for Research Methods and Ethics course Session 9: Ecology Article Analysis Student Presentation Session 10: Final Exam of Comparative Tropical Ecology course Evaluation and Grading Criteria Assignments: Readings Readings will be distributed to students during orientation week. Readings are organized by ecosystems: Ecuador General; Galápagos/Coast; Cloud Forest/ Páramo; and Amazon. The readings are designed to complement and expand upon the information covered by lectures, offering different points of view as well as more in-depth discussion of the topics. There are separate reading packets available on flash and hardcopy. Readings should be properly cited in all assignments. Ecology/Biology Article Analysis This assignment consists of a short report (2 to 3 pages single space) including the analysis of a science article in the fields of ecology and/or biology. Students should provide their own arguments and include support materials, such as citations of other science articles. Students choose one of the following required articles for the analysis: Copyright SIT, a program of World Learning 7

8 o Chao, A., & Jost, L. (2012). Coverage-based rarefaction and extrapolation: standardizing samples by completeness rather than size. Ecology, 93 (12), o Loor Bermúdez, D. K., & Reyes Puig, J. P. (2011). Dieta del tapir de montaña (Tapirus pinchaque) en tres localidades del corredor ecológico Llangantes Sangay. Centro de Biodiversidad IASA Boletín Técnico 10, Serie Zoológica, 7, o Paéz-Moscoso, D. J., Guayasamin, J. M., & Yańez-Munõz, M. (2011). A new species of Andean toad (Bufonidae, Osornophryne) discovered using molecular and morphological data, with a taxonomic key for the genus. Zoo Keys, (108), o Yanez-Munoz, M. H., Toral-Contreras, E., Bejarano-Munoz, E. P., Paucar, D., Meza- Ramos, P. A., Mueses-Cisneros, J. J., & Reyes-Puig, J. P. (2012). New country records for five species of Pristimantis Jimeńez de la Espada, 1870 from Ecuador. Check List, 8(2), Field Notebook This assignment is composed by the ecological and biological field reports on the ecosystems visited during the semester. The Field Notebook contains ecological, biological, conservation, and sustainability observation gained on your own in the field, and includes information from a wide variety of field sources, such as guided sessions during excursions, field activities and direct observations at hikes. Final Exam The final examination contains questions from all lectures & field activities, as well as selected required articles that will be indicated by the director. Participation Participation is assessed based on: o Preparation, attendance, and attitude in all lectures, discussions, activities, and excursions. o Active contribution to periodic group meetings. o Completion of written assignments. o Completion of assigned readings. o Culturally respectful behavior, flexibility, punctuality, and enthusiasm. Assessment: Ecology Article Analysis Report 25% Field Notebook 40% Final Exam 30% Participation 5% Grading Scale: % A Excellent 90-93% A % B % B Above Average 80-83% B % C % C Average 70-73% C % D % D Below Average Copyright SIT, a program of World Learning 8

9 Below 64 F Fail Expectations and Policies Readings Students are responsible for all readings, and should be prepared to bring them to bear during program activities. The readings aim to help students place the classes in their context, to engage lecturers, to generate questions for class discussions, and to deepen student knowledge of particular topics. Assignments Timely completion of all assignments is expected. Late hand-ins will be penalized. All assignments are evaluated according to organization, analytical quality, depth of understanding, argumentation, and presentation of evidence. Please refer to the SIT Study Abroad handbook for policies on academic integrity, ethics, warning and probation, diversity and disability, sexual harassment, and the academic appeals process. Class Meetings: Experimento de Convivencia Internacional Calle Hernando de la Cruz N31-37 y Mariana de Jesús Tel SIT Office: First Floor; AD: Dr. Xavier Silva Copyright SIT, a program of World Learning 9