The Tropics are known for their high biodiversity. However, surveying abundances of tropical wildlife and plant species accurately for distribution and population questions can be very demanding. This course will be centered around selected wildlife and plant species as examples how components of tropical biodiversity could be surveyed and assessed efficiently. Tropical ecology subjects will be presented and investigated addressing also spatial aspects and ecological niche questions. This course is designed for undergraduate and graduate students as an introduction into detailed wildlife distribution and habitat studies. A background in basic statistics, e.g. regression, biogeography, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing is of advantage but not required. The course will allow for a solid overview about wildlife distribution, existing survey and monitoring methods and wildlife-habitat links. Hands-on identifications, surveys and mapping applications are a crucial component of this field course.

Howell, S. and S. Webb. 1995. A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America. Oxford University Press. New York, NY 851. pp.

Kirchner, J. 1999. A Neotropical Companion: An Introduction to the Animals, Plants, and Ecosystems of the New World Tropics. Second Edition. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0-691-00974

Kraak, M.J and F.J. Ormeling 1997. Cartography: Visualization of spatial data. Longman, Essex England. 222 pp. ISBN 0-582-25953-3

Krebs, C. 1998. Ecological Methodology. Addison Wesley Longman. Second Edition. 620 pp.

Stiles, G., A. Skutch and D. Gardner. 1989. A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica. Cornell University Press. Ithaca, NY. 509 pp. ISBN 0-8014-2287-6.

Other references:

Brown, J. and A. Gibson 1983. Biogeography. CV Mosby USA. 643 pp. ISBN 0878930736Feinsinger, P. 2001. Designing Field Studies for Biodiversity Conservation. Island Press, New York. 212 pp.Giles, E. and C. Ziegler. 2002. A Magic Web: the Tropical Forest of Barro Colorado Island. OUP, New York. 304 pp.McDade, L.A., K.S. Bawa, H.A. Hespenheide and G.S. Harthorn. 1993. La Selva: Ecology and Natural History of a Neotropical Rain Forest. University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-03950-1.Quinn, G.P. and M. J. Keough. 2002. Experimental Design and Data Analysis for Biologists. Cambridge University Press. 537 pp. ISBN 0-521-00976-6Ridgely, R. and J. Gwynne. 1989. A Guide to the Birds of Panama with Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras. Princeton University Press. Princeton, NJ. 534 pp. ISBN 0-691-02512-6.Reid, F.A. 1998. A Field Guide to the Mammals of Central America & Southeast Mexico. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-195-06401-1.Ross, D. L. and B. M. Whitney. 1995. Voices of Costa Rican birds: Caribbean Slope. Cornell Lab LNS. 2 cassettes or CDs.

Objectives:

• Field Survey Methods:
  A general overview and specific research methods are presented to survey wildlife distributions and populations efficiently and to present such data.
• Characterization of Habitat:
  We will describe and inventorize habitat, as it relates to tropical wildlife. An emphasis is given on quantitative and mapping approaches taking habitat preferences into account.
• Wildlife Habitat Studies for Management and Conservation:
  We will show methods to investigate wildlife distribution, and present how they can be implemented in the context of management and conservation.

Lecture Topics:

• Introduction to Tropical Forest Ecology
• Selected Biogeography Topics
• General Introduction to Tropical Wildlife Zoology
• Survey Methods and Mapping of Wildlife Distributions
• Survey Methods and Analysis
• Quantifying Wildlife Distributions, Habitats and Landscapes
• Statistical issues for Wildlife Distribution
• General Wildlife Habitat Links
• Specific Wildlife issues for the Tropics
• Case Study: Neotropical Migrants

Independent Projects:

The focus of this course component is to design and to carry out an innovative and original research project. A project proposal will be due after the first week. The project outline and final results will be presented to the class; a final report will be written as well. The project presents a major component of the class.

Potential project topics could be, but are not limited to:

• Local and general Wildlife Distribution Assessment
• Habitat Use and Selection
• Abundance and Population Estimations
• Sampling Design, Effort, and Sensitivity
• Distribution of Ecological Niches
• Scale Effects on any of the above
• Community Analysis
• 'Soundscape' Distribuitions

General Daily Schedule:

Sunrise - 9:00 Field work 11:00 AM - 12:00 / 13:00 - 14:00 lecture 15:00 - 17:00 Field work 19:30 - 20:30 Field book updates, potential lecture
There will also be the option to participate in night excursions to investigate nocturnal birds.Note: This schedule can be affected by weather and others factors, and could change.

Course Schedule:

Day 1: Arrival and Orientation

Day 2: Introduction to Field School and Study Site

Day 3: ‘Wildlife Walk’ and Project Planning

Day 4: Project Design and Project Research (Pilot)

Day 5: Project Research (Pilot)

Day 6: Project Research (Pilot)

Day 7: Off (work on journals, research proposal, presentations etc.)

Day 8: Exam, Project Proposal and Project Research

Day 9: Project Research

Day 10: Project Research & Computer Applications (team)

Day 11: Project Research & Computer Applications (team)

Day 12: Project Research & Computer Applications (team)

Day 13-24: Project Research & Computer Applications (team)

Day 25: Final Exam, Final Project Presentations, End-of-Course Party

Day 26: Departure Note: This schedule can be affected by weather and others factors, and could change.

Side trip TBA

Grades:

25% Attendance, attention, attitude, enthusiasm and cooperation 1
20% Lecture exams 2
15% Journal 3
25% Research Project (Final presentation and report) 4
5% Presentation contrasting two research articles 5
10% Field quizzes and assignments 61. For successful expeditions and field work such traits are crucial.2. Two lecture exams will cover the formal lecture material.3. A journal is a very important feature to document findings and research results. It consists of a narrative, as well as specific research results and descriptions and drawings of the environment. Ideas and questions can also be noted. Daily records should consist of date, time, weather and research activities. Identified and counted wildlife and animal species should be listed as well, including all other noteworthy findings.4. This course will allow to implement an original research project of own design. A research proposal (required but not marked) will be presented to the class, which will be critiqued by the course members on the subjects of research design, analysis and feasibility. Based on a final project report, a final presentation will be made to the class.5. Every student is asked to compare and contrast two selected research articles on his/her own choice. A research library dealing with subjects of the course is available.6. During the course, some small field quizzes and assignments will be carried out.

Course Goals:

After the completion of the course, participants should be able to design their own wildlife survey and research study, and describe distributions, habitat, wildlife-habitat links and overall populations in qualitative and quantitative terms. They should be able to identify common wildlife and plant species.

Optional Field Trip:

Participants will have the opportunity to participate in a field excursion; details depend on weather and locations. The excursion is optional and will cost an extra fee.

Conduct:

It is expected that participants follow the Policies and Procedures outlined by La Suerte and Ometepe Biological Field Stations.

Other:

The course will provide a great opportunity for dynamic and hard working but fun people, who are interested in modern tropical research and conservation with a focus on transparent and quantitative methods. Please inquire with the instructor for specific details.