Leaders: Wendy Tori and Chris Smith

Tropical Ecology – May Term 2016

May 11- June 1, 2016

Leaders: Wendy Tori and Chris Smith

Application deadline: October 15, 2015

May term description -The Tropical Ecology 2016 May term (BIOL399) will be an in-depth, hands-on field course exposing students to the rich and varied ecosystems of the tropics. The course will take place in Peru where we will spend three weeks traveling along the eastern slope of the Peruvian Andes. Our travels will take us through many tropical ecosystems and expose us to some of the wildest areas left on the planet. During this class, we will have a combination of lectures about natural history, ecology, the processes generating / maintaining tropical biodiversity, conservation and we will have the opportunity to conduct short field projects on a variety of plants and animals. This May term will be the complementary field component to the 1-credit spring semester course: Tropical Ecology Seminar (BIOL 473).

Faculty

Wendy Tori is a professor in the department of Biology at Earlham, where she teaches courses in Ecology, Animal Behavior, Conservation and Ornithology. Wendy has participated and led many Ecology and Ornithology field trips to the tropics. She conducts her research in the tropical rainforest of Ecuador and Peru. Her research involves a combination of field work and molecular techniques to study the reproductive behavior of Birds.

Chris Smith is professor in the Biology at Earlham, where he teaches courses in Ecology, Evolution, Genomics and Entomology. Chris has done research in the tropics of Argentina along with temperate forests and deserts, and just loves ants (and there are just so many in the tropics!). His research focuses on ant ecology and evolution, currently focusing on the genomics of division of labor and sociality.

Location - The May Term will visit many sites along the eastern slope of the Peruvian Andes. After arriving to Lima, we will fly over the Andes to the imperial city of the Inca Empire, Cusco. There we will travel to Machu Picchu, giving us a chance to get introduced to the Peruvian history and culture, and to see the unique mammal and bird fauna of the high Andes, from the relatives of camels such as llamas, alpacas, and the pika-like vizcacha to torrent ducks and Andean condors (not to mention myriad insects, both small and rather large). From Cusco we will travel by bus up and over the east range of the Andes and begin our descent into the Amazon basin. We will spend approximately a week making our way down the mountain through the different ecosystems and having the opportunity to see the astounding turnover of species along the altitudinal transect. On our way down the mountain we will camp one night in Tres Cruces (elevation 11,500 feet), we will do a hike down the mountain, staying in Wayqecha Cloud Forest Research Center, Posada San Pedro and Atalaya. In Atalaya, our trip will change from bus to boat, and we will continue our trip to Cocha Cashu Biological Station inside the Manu National Park. There we will spend 9 days exploring one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. We will have the opportunity to see different species of monkeys, peccaries, as well as an outstanding number of insects (oh…the ants!!!), birds and plants. Lastly, we will take a boat to Atalaya and a bus to go back to Cusco, where we will take our flight back to the US.

Course description - Students participating in the Tropical Ecology May Term (BIOL399 - 3 credits) are required to take the Tropical Ecology seminar (1 credit) during the spring semester.

This May term will be an intensive field course conducted in the eastern slopes of the Andes and the rainforest of Perú. The course has two major goals: (1) expose students to a new set of ecosystems and to experience how diversity changes in an altitudinal gradient. Along the altitudinal gradient, we will spend time identifying plants, insects, birds and mammals with a variety of techniques. We will have the opportunity to see many species, such as dozens of orchid species, emergent trees like Ceiba trees and animals like the spectacular Andean Condor, Andean Cock of the Rock, Royal Flycatcher, Blue-crowned Mankin, Macaws, Tamarin monkeys and an astonishing number of insects (…bullet ants, leaf-cutter ants, army ants, and so many more). (2) train students on how to conduct field-based investigation in tropical settings. Students will be immersed in the scientific method by generating their own questions, collecting and analyzing their own data and presenting their results in oral and written format.

Prerequisites are: Ecological Biology (or consent of instructors) and preference will be given to biology and environmental science majors.

Living Arrangements - During this May term we will use a variety of accommodations, from camping in tents to small cabins, so you need to be prepared to live in rustic conditions. Students will share rooms/tents, showers and toilets. Field stations will provide three meals a day but we will need to share cooking, dishwashing and housekeeping responsibilities while camping.

Orientation - There will be a required 1-credit Seminar during the spring semester 2016.

Charges - The program fee for this May Term is $3500.00 and it includes round-trip flights to and from Peru, room and board, international student ID cards, and all required on-site expenses. You will also be charged a non-refundable enrollment fee of $385.00. Earlham tuition fees will be charged if applicable. Participants are responsible for books, personal gear and expenses, as well as the required passport. Yellow fever, flu, and tetanus vaccines, along with malaria prophylaxis, are required. Some scholarships from the Test Fund will be available to students based on financial need after acceptance to the May Term.

Application – The May term is limited to ~10 students. Good physical condition is required (we will be hiking quite a bit). Applications are due by October 15. The application process will also include an interview. Applications are available in the International Programs Office. Because faculty from the Biology department are offering two May terms, we are doing a joint application (i.e., you do not have to apply to just one, but can apply for both and designate a preference).

Additional information – Course plans are subject to change. Applications are available in the International Programs Office in LBC 131 and online at

For additional information, please contact

Wendy P ToriChris Smith

Biology DepartmentBiology Department

Earlham CollegeEarlham College

e-mail: mail:

Program Plans Subject to Change

May Term Policies: