Credit Information: Department: Natural Science Course #: LNSCI 3001 College credit hours: 3 Prerequisites: None

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1 Credit Information: Department: Natural Science Course #: LNSCI 3001 College credit hours: 3 Prerequisites: None Sea Turtle Ecology Costa Rica & Nicaragua Costa Rica & Nicaragua Sea Turtle Ecology Syllabus Course Description: This course is a survey of the fundamentals of sea turtle ecology including evolution, anatomy, species identification, life history, reproduction, and nesting behavior. Coursework will consist of both academic discussions and field work designed to introduce students to the methods and equipment that sea turtle researchers commonly use. In addition, this class will focus on the threats and conservation challenges that sea turtles face and evaluate them from a multi-disciplinary approach that incorporates historical, cultural, economic and legal factors. Students will participate in the research, monitoring and conservation of multiple sea turtle species at nesting beaches in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Contact Hours: 55 Academic Lectures and Discussions 18 hours Discussions & Presentations 4 hours Field work 33 hours Course Objectives/Outcomes: This course is designed so students will achieve a working knowledge of sea turtle biology and the conservation issues facing their population today. Students will be able to identify various types of sea turtles, be able to interpret and understand their behaviors and will be familiar with standard monitoring techniques. Students will work hands-on alongside field biologists and conservation experts at Widecast, Paso Pacifico and Pretoma organizations. Each student should attain the following by completion of the course: An in depth knowledge of local sea turtle populations including lifecycles, feeding, mating and nesting behaviors and migratory patterns Familiarity with identification of sea turtles and interpretation of sea turtle behaviors A strong knowledge of current conservation issues facing these populations, including the role of culture and social issues in developing conservation strategies An understanding of conservation techniques and theories being used to recover depleted sea turtle populations A strong knowledge of current sea turtle monitoring techniques A working knowledge of sea turtle hatcheries and their role in conservation

2 Grading: Students will be evaluated by the following assessments: Sea Turtle Ecology Costa Rica & Nicaragua Exams o Midterm 25% o Final Exam 25% Research Papers & Presentations o Conservation Management Plan 20% o Presentation on the viewpoint of an assigned person 5% Journals (8 entries) 10% Field and Class Participation 15% Assessments: Exams: There will be two exams given during this course, a midterm and a final. Exams may consist of multiple choice, matching, short answer, essay, and skills-based questions. They will require identification or explanation of concepts that have been discussed in class, journal assignments and /or illustrated during practical field work. Conservation Management Plan: Each student will create a comprehensive management strategy for a small town which is located near a historic sea turtle nesting beach and is confronted with conflicting pressures of declining turtle numbers, economic development and growth, tourism, and cultural traditions. Proposals must incorporate information related to sea turtle biology, life histories, nesting behaviors, threats, social and cultural issues, and conservation strategies discussed throughout the course. Presentation: Each student will be responsible for contributing to the sea turtle diversity discussion by giving a 10 minute presentation about a particular species of sea turtle. Presentation should include a general description, distribution, habitat, diet, role in their ecosystem, approximate population size and status, average lifespan, local and/or international threats they face (natural and man-made), and distinguishing / interesting / unique characteristics or behaviors that differentiate them from other sea turtle species. Assessment will be both content and delivery based. Journals: Students will complete 8 journal entries throughout the course. The journal topics are designed to encourage students to incorporate the broader themes of the course into short reflective essays. Journals are graded on organization, quality of reflection, length, and how well the answer is supported by additional information. Journals are typically due 24 hours after being assigned.

3 Field Work and Participation: Field work will take place at Playa Blanca on the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica and the turtle nesting beaches of San Miguel, Costa Rica and El Ostional, Nicaragua, working alongside researchers and conservationists at Widecast, Paso Pacifico and Pretoma. Students will partake in in-water studies of turtles with Widecast using live capturing turtles with nets or while snorkeling. Students participate in turtle shifts to collect data on nesting sea turtles El Ostional. Each student participates in at least 3 four-hour shifts. Each student is required to participate in at least one of the nest surveys, and if an excavation is possible, they are encouraged to attend. Students will also partake in field work at two hatcheries. Required Text for Students: Spotila, J.R Sea turtle: A complete guide to their biology, behavior and conservation. Johns Hopkins Univ. Press: Baltimore and London. Additional Texts: Batchelder, Donald The Green Banana. Beyond Experience: The Experiential Approach to Cross-Cultural Education. Second Edition. Carr, A.F., The Windward Road. Alfred A. Knopf, Inc. New York, 258 pp. Carr, A.F., The Sea Turtle, So Excellent a Fishe. University of Texas Press. Austin, 280 pp. Lutz PL, Musick JA (editors) The Biology of Sea Turtles. CRC Press. Boca Raton. Lutz PL, Musick JA, Wyneken J (editors) The Biology of Sea Turtles Volume II. CRC Press. Boca Raton. Place, Nature Tourism and Rural Development in Tortuguero. Annals of Tourism Research 18(2): Spotila, J.R Sea turtle: A complete guide to their biology, behavior and conservation. Johns Hopkins Univ. Press: Baltimore and London. Stem, C.J., et al How eco is ecotourism? Journal of Sustainable Tourism 11(4): Troeng, Sebastian. Long-term conservation efforts contribute to positive green turtle Chelonia mydas nesting trend at Tortuguero, Costa Rica. Biological Conservation 121(2005): Troeng, Sebastian. Possible decline in leatherback turtle Dermochelys coriacea nesting along the coast of Caribbean Central America. Oryx, Vol 38 No 4 (2004):

4 Academic Overview Please note that this is only a tentative itinerary and will likely change during the course. Day 2: Sarapiqui, Costa Rica Regional Geology, Climate & Oceanography Tropical ecology Journal #1 Readings No reading assignment today Canopy Tour Day 3 Ocean Properties & Marine Biology Costa Rica ecology Journal #2 Spotila, Ch. 1 Sarapiqui River tour Day 4 Marine Life Origins / Sea Turtle Evolution Ecosystem exploration No journal assignment today Spotila, Ch. 4 Explore region by horseback Day 5: Playa Blanca, Costa Rica Research Methods Journal #3; Work on presentation Widecast orientation Day 6 Sea Turtle Biology I: Adaptations & Physiology Journal #4; Work on presentations Spotila, Ch. 3 Day 7 Sea Turtle Biology II: Reproduction & Life History Strategies Journal #5; Finalize presentations Spotila, Ch. 2 Day 8 Sea Turtle Diversity Presentations; Finish journals; Study for midterm exam Start Spotila, Chs Community service

5 Day 9 Journals due; Study for midterms Continue Spotila Midterm review Day 10 No new material today Midterm exam Continue Spotila, Chs Day 11: San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua Travel day / Day off Day 12: El Ostional, Nicaragua Paso Pacifico Orientation / Community-based Conservation Programs Turtle Monitoring with Ministry of Environment (La Flor) No assignment today Continue Spotila, Chs Visit La Flor Wildlife Refuge Day 13 Conservation at Ostional / Local Culture & Customs Turtle Monitoring with Ministry of Environment (La Flor) Journal #6 Continue Spotila, Chs Boat tour with local fisherman to see turtles at sea & beaches Day 14 Sea Turtle Ecology Turtle monitoring & nursery work Journal #7 Continue Spotila, Chs Visit sea turtle nursery Day 15 Sea Turtle Threats Turtle monitoring & nursery work Journal #8 Spotila, Ch. 5 Kayak tour

6 Day 16 Sea Turtle Conservation Turtle monitoring Journal #9 Forest hike, tour of reforestation area Day 17 Community Incentive Program Turtle work at hatchery Start Management Plan Travel to San Juan Del Sur Day 18: San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua Day off Day 19: San Miguel, Costa Rica Pretoma s Sea Turtle Project Pretoma Orientation Work on Management Plan; Study for final exam Turtle Monitoring Day 20 Day 21 Day 22 Day 23 Pretoma s Sea Turtle Project Hatchery work Journal #10; Work on Management Plan; Study for final exam Turtle Monitoring Turtle Hatcheries Hatchery work Journals Due; Work on Management Plan; Study for final exam Review all course materials Hike No discussion today Hatchery work Conservation Management Plan Due Review all course materials Mangrove tour Final Exam Playa Caletas Wildlife Refuge