loras college jterm course: bio 325 environmental issues in costa rica
TRANSCRIPT
By Tom Davis Loras College Biology
Stories of Three Forests of Costa Rica
Course: Environmental Issues in Costa Rica
15 students, 1 faculty assistant
12 days in the country
San Jose
12 3
1 Palo Verde National Park (dry tropical forest)2 Monteverde Cloud
Forest3 La Selva Biological
Station (wet tropical forest)
1 2 50 miles
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?
12 3
trade winds
Palo
Verde
Nat
iona
l par
k
Mon
teve
rde Clo
ud F
ores
t
La S
elva
Bio
logi
cal S
tation
Dub
uque
, IA
0
40
80
120
160
Average Annual Rainfall: 3 Forest Sites in Costa Rica vs DBQ, IA
Average Annual Rainfall (inches)
1. Palo Verde National Park
Tropical dry forest
Palo Verde Marsh
jacana
black-bellied whistling ducks
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
Quetzals !
Resplendent Quetzal!
Quetzal food = avacados
Hummingbirds!
Violet SabrewingPurple throated Mountain Gem female (above) and male (right)
Green Violet Ear
Green Crowned Brilliant
Tropical Forest Soil!
Tarantulas !
Original home of golden toad
12 3
trade winds
La Selva Biological Station
Wet tropical forest - classic tropical rainforest
Strangler Fig
No Annual Rings !
Black guan
Chesnut mandibled toucan
Black headed trogon
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!
And lots more to see next time!
Lots more to learn!
Thank You!