Tropical Ecology & Natural His

This course explores various tropical environments and introduce the natural history of organisms common to those environments. Ecosystems, biodiversity, and environmental issues are introduced through lectures, field experiences, and discovery-oriented investigative experiences. Interrelationships of physical, chemical, and biological components of the environment and impact of human activities on these ecosystems are explored. Topics include geology and ecology/zonation of the following systems: rainforests, river systems, coral reefs, patch reefs, sea grass beds, mangrove and estuaries, intertidal beach and cave systems as well as taxonomy of selected organisms. Prerequisite(s): BIOL 2080K with a minimum grade of C.