July 17: Meet in San Jose, then travel to Volcan Irazu.

We will study the geology and ecology of high altitude ecosystems.

Students will have a chance to see several calderas of an inactive volcano and the unique vegetation that has colonized the area.

July 18 - Visit Parque National Braulio Carrillo.

There we will study cloud forest ecology, stay at a "jungle lodge" and students will have the option to ride the canopy gondola.

July 19 - 23 - Visit and study the maritime zone at Playa Cocles and Manzanillo.

Students will snorkle the nearshore coral reef and tide pools.

Habitats will include: seagrass beds, algal flats, coral reef, coastal forest, mangroves

An option to SCUBA dive the offshore reefs is available to those certified.

July 24 - August 6 - Study at the El Zota Research Station near Cariari in the lowland Atlantic Tropical Rainforest ecosystem.

Lecture topics will include

geology: watersheds, soils, climatic patterns

flora: bryophytes to angiosperms

fauna: insects, birds, fish, mammals, snakes & amphibians

algal habitats: freshwater lagoons, quebradas, marshes, temporary pools

conservation: land, plants, animals, ecosystems

human impacts: land conversion, agriculture, urbanization

Students will design and complete a project on site involving some aspect of tropical ecosystems ecology.

In the past projects included: soil and vegetation analysis, caste structure of leaf-gardening ants, bryophyte epiphytes of cycads.

August 7 - Return to San Jose, course ends.

Questions? email Dr. Jewett-Smith: jjsmith@po-box.esu.edu