Course Information and Application Procedures January 2013 Biology Trip to Ecuador Biology 245: Ecology of Ecuador

Instructors: Drs. Kirk Larsen and Molly McNicoll

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This trip is an introduction to the ecology, evolution, and natural history of the Amazon rainforest, Andean cloud forest, and Galapagos Islands, and at the same time exposes students to some of the customs and cultures of the Ecuadorian people. We will have review basic principles of evolution, ecology and natural history as they pertain to both the rainforest (e.g. productivity, nutrient cycling, succession, and coevolution) and Galapagos islands (e.g. natural selection, speciation, colonization, and island biogeography). On January 2 or 3, 2013 we will fly to Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, which will be our base for rest, laundry, and recovery. During our 3 weeks in Ecuador, we will spend four days at Santa Lucia near Mindo, hiking and viewing the unique montaine cloud forest habitat dominated by epiphytes, bromeliads and orchids, along with abundant birds, insects, spiders, etc high in the Andes. This location has one of the highest rates of endemism of any location on the planet. We will also take a five day trip down to the lowland Amazon rainforest and stay at either the Napo Wildlife Center or Tiputini Biodiversity Station on the edge of Yasuni National Park. Yasuni National Park can be argued as the most biodiverse location on the planet. Early-morning, afternoon, and night-time excursions are experienced (e.g. hiking, canoeing, canopy towers) and students are exposed to a wide variety of jungle flora and fauna, including monkeys, strangler figs, kapok trees, pirañha, cockroaches, spiders, and leaf-cutter ants. At some point we will have a short trips of the Andes with stops at the equator, a shopping trip to the indigenous market in Otavalo, and will visit the paramo, alpine grasslands near Volcan Antisana or Volcan Cotapaxi, sites where endangered Andean condors have been observed. We will also spend 7 or 8 days in the Galapagos, visiting different islands of this famous archipelago while living 3 or 4 nights aboard the Galaven I and 3 or 4 nights at a hotel on the island of Isabella. A typical day on the Galapagos involves both morning and afternoon excursions (both hiking and snorkeling), and includes encounters with numerous endemic and native species of plants and animals, such as land and marine iguanas, giant tortoises, Darwin’s finches, Sally lightfoot crabs, sea lions, and blue-footed boobies. Accommodations, most food, transportation, and English-speaking naturalist guides are provided. Course activities include keeping detailed field notebooks and journals, discussions of readings, and several exams including both theoretical and practical portions.

COURSE GOALS AND TOPICS COVERED:  to compare and contrast the natural histories and ecology of the lowland Amazon rainforest, montaine cloud forest, and Galapagos Islands  to gain a deeper understanding of evolutionary processes (e.g. natural selection, speciation, coevolution)  to increase awareness of the importance of conserving habitats and maintaining species diversity  to increase your understanding of and appreciation for other peoples and their cultures 2 EXPECTED EXPENSES: Approximately $5,600**(depends on fuel prices) Includes round-trip airfare to Ecuador, the rainforest, the Galapagos, cloud forest; all ground and air transportation while in Ecuador; food & lodging in Quito; food & lodging on boats in the Galapagos, rainforest and cloud forest excursions; all taxes and tips; passport photos; cancellation and health/evacuation insurance. Not Included: ground transportation to/from the US airport of departure (ORD or MSP), textbooks, passport fees; vaccination fees; food during travel and meals “out” in Quito; snorkeling equipment; spending money for souvenirs.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Prerequisite: Biology 151 (Ecology Evolution, & Biodiversity). Enrollment will be limited to 18 Luther students. Students participating in the class will be selected by the instructors based on an application and interview process. Selection of course participants will involve an initial screening of application materials, followed by interviews by Drs. Larsen and McNicoll with selected students in April. Applicants will be notified by the Center for Global Learning of their acceptance on May 7, 2012. Academic performance, previous participation in other study abroad programs, personal character, a personal statement, and letter of recommendation are all seriously considered. Your complete application must be received by the Center for Global Learning (items 1-2 by the study abroad application deadline of Wednesday, April 23, 2012) and Dr. Larsen (items 3-4 by Friday April 25). Interviews of applicants will be conducted as soon as possible after your application is complete. 1) A completed on-line 2013 study abroad application form (available online on “StudioAbroad” on April 2, 2012) that must be completed by the April 23rd deadline. 2) A confidential on-line recommendation from your advisor or another faculty member who knows you well. This will be requested on-line by “StudioAbroad” from your “recommendor” after you’ve submitted the on-line application form. 3) a personal statement of why this trip is important to your educational experience at Luther College and how this opportunity relates to your future career goals. What do you hope to get out of this trip? What will you do with this experience? Be sure to include your name, e-mail address, and phone number on this statement. Turn this in directly to Dr. Larsen. 4) an unofficial copy of your current transcript (a printout from my.luther.edu is fine). Turn this in directly to Dr. Larsen.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Dr. Kirk Larsen Department of Biology, Luther College Office: SHL 190D, 563-387-1558 E-mail: [email protected]

2013 Course Info and Application Procedures.DOC

Meeting Outline

• Course objectives and requirements • Where and what we visit • 2013 Tentative Itinerary • Expected Expenses of Trip • Application Process • Questions? Course Objectives

 to compare and contrast the natural history and ecology of the lowland Amazon rainforest, Andean montaine cloud forest, and Galapagos Islands  to gain a deeper understanding of evolutionary processes (e.g. natural selection, speciation, coevolution)  to increase awareness of the importance of conserving habitats and maintaining biodiversity  to increase understanding of and appreciation for other peoples and their cultures Course Requirements

• Oral Presentations “in the field” • Field Notebooks and Journals • Exams including organism IDs • photographs/images collection • course participation Our Journey to the “Middle of the Earth”

MSP . ORD

MIA

UIO EQUATOR Ecuador Andes Mountain Range

Galapagos (600 miles) Yasuni National Oriente Park Coastal (Amazon Rainforest) Quito, Ecuador (~9,000 ft elev.)

Casa Foch Andean Montaine Cloud Forest (~6,500 ft elev.) Tiputini

“Oriente” (Amazon Rainforest)

Lowland Amazon Rainforest (~750 ft elev.) Galapagos Galápagos Islands Galápagos 2012

Yate Galaven I Ecuadorian Culture Jan 2012 Itinerary

• Travel to/Meet in Minneapolis (Jan 3) • Travel to Quito, Ecuador (Jan 4) • 4 days in Andean Cloud Forest • 1 night in Quito • 5 days at Tiputini Biodiversity Station in Amazon • 3 days Quito, Otavalo*, Papallacta, Volcan Antisana • 8 days in the Galapagos (3 nights on boat, 4 nights on land) • Travel back to United States from Quito (Jan 25) Expected Trip Cost: approximately $5,600

• includes round-trip airfares to Ecuador, rainforest, and Galapagos, all ground transportation, food & lodging in Quito, food & lodging on boat and islands, rainforest and cloud forest, entrance fees, exit taxes, tips, passport photos, cancellation and health/evacuation insurance. Costs not included: • transportation to/from U.S. airport of departure (ORD), textbooks, passport fees, vaccinations (yellow fever vaccination is REQUIRED), food during travel and meals “out”, snorkeling equipment, film?, spending money for souvenirs

the “paramo” at Papallacta Pass, 13,400 ft elev Application Procedures

Applicants interviewed once application received: 1 – on-line study abroad application form completed between April 2 and April 23rd 2 – confidential on-line recommendation from advisor or another faculty member who knows you well. 3 - personal statement to Dr. Larsen 4 – copy of current transcript to Dr. Larsen • Notification of course participants by Center for Global Learning on May 7