BIOL 355 TROPICAL FIELD BIOLOGY
Course instructor: Brian Wisenden (wisenden@gmail.com)
Course objectives:
1. Introduction to the ecology of tropical ecosystems
2. Introduction to conservation biology
- the difficulty of balancing conservation with socioeconomic and
political forces
3. Costa Rica as a case study
- the biology of Costa Rica
- the history of Costa Rican culture
- birth of present day park system
4. Field trip to Costa Rica over March break (10-21 March 2016) to gain
first-hand experience
Syllabus
Book report guide for The Green
Phoenix
Definitions of lead, facility,
circle question
Systems literacy
Class schedule from 2016
| Day | Date | Topic | Readings (Chapters are from Conservation Biology for All) | Opener | Facilitator | Question |
| Fri | 15-Jan | Introduction, paperwork, organize | Dr. Brian | Dr. Dan | ||
| Course synopsis | ||||||
| Fri | 22-Jan | Introduction to conservation biology | Ch1: Conservation biology: past and present | Dr. Brian | Dr. Brian | Dr. Brian |
| Understanding biodiversity | Ch2: Biodiversity | Katie | John | Lahren | ||
| Fri | 29-Jan | Value of biodiversity | Ch3: Ecosystem functions and services | Stacy | Erin | Austin |
| Threats to biodiversity 1 | Ch5: Habitat fragmentation and landscape change | Ben | Jacob | Alex | ||
| Fri | 5-Feb | Threats to biodiversity 4 | Ch8: Climate change + Brodie et al. 2012 | Clarice | Jake | Jack |
| Threats to biodiversity 5 | Vandermeer & Perfecto 1995 | Brianna | Evan | Kristen | ||
| Fri | 12-Feb | Conserving Biodiversity | Naughton-Treves et al. 2005 | John | Lahren | Katie |
| Who will pay? | Balmford & Whitten 2003 | Erin | Austin | Stacy | ||
| Fri | 19-Feb | Costa Rica as a case study. Why here? | CR history and culture (Lieberman & Lieberman, unpubl.) | Jacob | Alex | Ben |
| Cabo Blanco 50 years on | Timm et al. 2009 | Jake | Jack | Clarice | ||
| Fri | 26 Feb | Monteverde & Ecotourism | Weinberg et al. 2002, Box 12.2 | Evan | Kristen | Brianna |
| Advocacy for bioconservation | Kareiva 2008, Brussard & Tull 2007, Roberston & Hull 2001 | Lahren | Katie | John | ||
| Fri | 4-Mar | Exam on the readings (10%) | ||||
| Book report due, Final check before trip | ||||||
| Thu | 10-Mar | Fly out of Fargo 6:45 am | ||||
| Mon | 21-Mar | Return to Fargo 11:03 pm | ||||
| Fri | 25-Mar | no class | ||||
| Fri | 1-Apr | notebooks due, SAC prep | ||||
| Fri | 8-Mar | SAC prep | ||||
| Tue | 12-Apr | SAC |
Itinerary for 10-21 March, 2016
Cost:
Flat rate of $2400 (financial aid available, some refund may be available if course fully enrolls), which includes:
- airfare
- transportation by microbus within Costa Rica
- ferry fare
- accommodations at all hotels and ecolodges
- all food at ecolodges
- entrance fees to parks
Does not include spending money: about $250, which you can withdraw in local currency from an ATM in Bagaces. You will need this money to buy
- food while in Bagaces at beginning and end of trip
- spending money in Bagaces, Santa Elena, Puntarenas, Guayacan
- souvenirs
Maximum number of students allowed is 18 (limited space on the microbus).
This is an interdisciplinary course for students from any major, and open to the
tri-college system (MSUM, NDSU, Concordia: students must be able to attend
weekly class meetings at MSUM for 2h on Thursday or Friday
afternoons.
For more information and to express interest in taking this course please contact the course instructors.