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 (BIOL 399 - 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 http://earlham.edu/academics/off-campusstudy/may-term-application-procedures/ .
For additional information, please contact
Wendy P Tori
Biology Department
Earlham College
e-mail: toriwe@earlham.edu
Chris Smith
Biology Department
Earlham College
email: smithch@earlham.edu
Program Plans Subject to Change
May Term Policies: http://earlham.edu/academics/off-campus-study/program-policies/for-may-terms/