The document summarizes a biology course taken by 15 students and 1 faculty assistant in Costa Rica over 12 days. The course visited 3 different forest ecosystems - the dry tropical forest of Palo Verde National Park, the cloud forest of Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, and the wet tropical forest of La Selva Biological Station. At each location, the students learned about the unique ecology, plants, and animals as well as the environmental threats facing Costa Rican forests, such as deforestation and cattle grazing. The course objectives were to understand the differences between the 3 forest types and gain knowledge about environmental issues and solutions in Costa Rica.

1. Stories of Three Forests of Costa Rica By Tom Davis Loras College Biology

2. Course: Environmental Issues in Costa Rica 15 students, 1 faculty assistant

3. 12 days in the country 1 2 50 miles 1 2 3 San Jose Palo Verde National Park (dry tropical forest) Monteverde Cloud Forest La Selva Biological Station (wet tropical forest)

4. 1 twenty passenger bus and driver, Jairo

5. 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

6. Dry vs Cloud vs Wet Tropical Forest? trade winds 1 2 3

8. 1. Palo Verde National Park Tropical dry forest

9. Palo Verde Marsh

11. black- bellied whistling ducks jacana Snail kite Tiger heron

12. Turquoise browed mot-mot !

13. Invasive water hyancinth

14. Acacia trees and acacia ants

16. Monkeys Capuchian white-faced monkeys vs Howler Monkeys

18. Ant Lions Ant lion video

19. 2. Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

24. Resplendent Quetzal! Quetzals !

26. Quetzal food = avacados

27. Hummingbirds! Purple throated Mountain Gem female (above) and male (right) Violet Sabrewing Green Crowned Brilliant Green Violet Ear

28. Tropical Forest Soil!

29. Tarantulas !

30. Original home of golden toad

31. Wet tropical forest - classic tropical rainforest trade winds 1 2 3 La Selva Biological Station

34. Strangler Fig

36. No Annual Rings !

37. Black guan Black headed trogon Chesnutmandibled toucan

38. Leaf cutter ants

39. Montezuma’s Oorpendula!

40. Environmental Issues:Deforestation / Cattle grazing

42. Deforestation /Coffee Plantations Sun vs Shade coffee?

44. As good as it gets!

45. 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

46. Lots more to learn! And lots more to see next time! Lots more to learn! And lots more to see next time! Thank You!