Loras College JTerm Course: Bio 325 Environmental Issues in Costa Rica

Stories of Three Forests of Costa Rica
By Tom Davis Loras College Biology

Course: Environmental Issues in Costa Rica
15 students, 1 faculty assistant

12 days in the country
1 2 50 miles
1
2
3
San Jose
Palo Verde National Park
(dry tropical forest)
Monteverde Cloud Forest
La Selva Biological Station
(wet tropical forest)

1 twenty passenger bus and driver, Jairo

Course Objectives
To gain an understanding of the ecology of 3 major forest ecosystems in Costa Rica and how they are different ecologically from each other and from the typical mixed hardwood forest and prairie ecosystems that we have in the Midwest. This objective will also include identification of plants and animals in each system.
To gain knowledge about the environmental threats and issues that are facing Costa Rican ecosystems now and the solutions that are being sought to reduce these problems.
The objective is to teach the student to see the land, to understand what he sees, and enjoy what he understands.
-Aldo Leopold

Dry vs Cloud vs Wet Tropical Forest?
trade winds
1
2
3

1. Palo Verde National Park
Tropical dry forest

Palo Verde Marsh

black-
bellied whistling ducks
jacana
Snail kite
Tiger heron

Turquoise browed mot-mot !

Invasive water hyancinth

Acacia trees and acacia ants

Monkeys
Capuchian white-faced monkeys vs Howler Monkeys

Ant Lions
Ant lion video

2. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

Resplendent Quetzal!
Quetzals !

Quetzal food = avacados

Hummingbirds!
Purple throated Mountain Gem female (above) and male (right)
Violet Sabrewing
Green Crowned Brilliant
Green Violet Ear

Tropical Forest Soil!

Tarantulas !

Original home of golden toad

Wet tropical forest - classic tropical rainforest
trade winds
1
2
3
La Selva Biological Station

Strangler Fig

No Annual Rings !

Black guan
Black headed trogon
Chesnutmandibled toucan

Leaf cutter ants

Montezuma’s Oorpendula!

Environmental Issues:Deforestation / Cattle grazing

Deforestation /Coffee Plantations
Sun vs Shade coffee?

As good as it gets!

Rechecking Course Objectives:
To gain an understanding of the ecology of 3 major forest ecosystems in Costa Rica and how they are different ecologically from each other and from the typical mixed hardwood forest and prairie ecosystems that we have in the Midwest. This objective will also include identification of plants and animals in each system.
To gain knowledge about the environmental threats and issues that are facing Costa Rican ecosystems now and what solutions are being sought to reduce these problems.
The objective is to teach the student to see the land, to understand what he sees, and enjoy what he understands.
-Aldo Leopold

Lots more to learn!
And lots more to see next time!
Lots more to learn!
And lots more to see next time!
Thank You!

Loras College JTerm Course: Bio 325 Environmental Issues in Costa Rica

by lorascollege on Jan 12, 2011

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