BI 07 EXPLORING THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS: WILDLIFE, ECOLOGY AND
CONSERVATION
SYLLABUS AND COURSE SCHEDULE (JAN 2014)
Instructors: Dr. Megan Gibbons, 236 SSC, x4874, home phone (205) 321-6464 (Emergencies only)
Dr. Barbara Domcekova, 203 HC, x4975, cell phone (205) 317-7722 (Emergencies only)
Project Meeting Times Overview:
Campus Component
Mon- Thurs, Jan. 6-16 in SSC 138 typically from 1 PM – 4:00 PM
Travel Component
Jan 18, 2014
American Airlines flight 3691 dpts. Birmingham at 12:25P PM and arvs. Miami at 3:20 PM
American Airlines flight 933 dpts. Miami at 7:10 PM and arvs. Guayaquil at 11:30 PM
Jan 27, 2014
American Airlines flight 902 dpts. Guayaquil at 12:50 AM and arvs. Miami at 5:05 AM
American Airlines flight 3513 dpts. Miami at 10:40 AM and arvs. Birmingham at 11:40 AM
Required Text:
Jackson, M. 1993. Galapagos: A Natural History. Calgary Press, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Available in Bookstore
Course Description: This project will focus on the study of the ecology, wildlife, and conservation of
the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. We will spend the first 7 days on campus studying the history and
ecology of the islands, including discussing numerous species of the Galapagos that exist nowhere else
in the world. On-campus activities will include lectures, movies, and discussion sessions. We will then
fly to Ecuador, where we will spend the next 10 days on the mainland and on a private yacht touring the
Galapagos Islands. Learn why Darwin and others have been so intrigued by this unique area. Because
there are no natural predators on these islands, wild animals are found in open areas, and are unafraid of
humans. Expect to see amazing birds, sea lions, iguanas, tortoises, and more! Spanish proficiency is
helpful, but not required. Classes will generally meet from 1-4 each day; time outside of class will be
needed to prepare for the each class meeting.
Objectives: By the end of this course, the student will be able to:
Describe how the geology of the Galapagos Islands has influenced their unique biology.
Identify many Galapagos organisms.
Understand the importance of biodiversity and the role that islands play in global diversity.
Describe the important ecological interactions that occur the Galapagos Islands.
Explain the factors that are detrimental to the Galapagos and relate them to human activities.
Identify the reasons that organisms in the Galapagos are in danger of becoming extinct
Describe the links between cultural and natural history of the Galapagos Islands
Grading: This course will be graded with a LETTER GRADE.
All students will be required to turn in worksheets for each chapter that we cover in the book
(they must be completed BEFORE the class meeting for that chapter). These worksheets will be
graded for completeness and accuracy.
There will be one exam given on Jan. 16. It will be made up of questions about the topics that
we’ve discussed in class, from movies, and from your book (esp. from the worksheets).
All students will be required to keep a detailed daily journal of their activities and organisms that
they encounter in the Galapagos Islands. This journal will be turned in at the end of the travel
portion of the interim, and it will be graded. It will then be returned to the student, as a
permanent record of the experience
All students must maintain a Natural History Journal (Creature Feature) that they maintain while
in the Galapagos, and it must be turned to Dr. Gibbons BEFORE WE LEAVE the islands. The
Natural History Journal will consist of detailed observations of Galapagos organisms. Each
student will chose 10 organisms to observe at length. The journal will consist of an anatomically
accurate color drawing of each organism and a detailed description of each of the following
ecological characteristics: 1) common name. 2) scientific name. 3) microhabitat. 4) food
source, including method of prey capture. 5) potential predators and anti-predator defenses. 6)
competitors. 7) modes of reproduction. 8) other observed behaviors such as social interactions,
grooming behavior or mating. There will be several field guides available to help.
Course Requirements:
1. A positive attitude. This project will include a lot of work, some of it mental and some of it
physical activity. It will also include opportunities for recreational activities. It is important to realize
that the work comes first, and that hard work must be a prelude to hard play.
2. Flexibility. It is important to remember that our schedule is not completely in our control. It is at
the mercy of airlines, boat captains, tides, wind, rain and people who may not address problems in the
same way we would. We must be flexible and keep our objectives rather than our schedule in mind.
3. Punctuality is essential, particularly during our travel.
LECTURE SCHEDULE ON BSC CAMPUS
Fri. Jan. 3
1-2 PM
WE WILL NOT MEET THIS DAY
Mon. Jan. 6
1-4 PM
Read Chapters 1 and 2 before class, complete worksheets
Ecuador and the Galapagos - General introduction (Dr. Domcekova)
Discussion: History, plate tectonics and geology of the Galapagos (Dr. Gibbons)
Video: “Ecology of the Galapagos”
Tues. Jan. 7
1-4 PM
Read Chapter 3 before class, complete worksheet
Discussion: Introduction to Ecology and Evolution on Islands
Video: “Charles Darwin: Evolution’s Voice”
Wed. Jan. 8
1-4 PM
Read Chapters 5 and 9, complete worksheets
Discussion: Reptiles and Mammals (Dr. Gibbons)
Video: “Galapagos Islands: Land of Dragons”
Thurs. Jan. 9 Read Chapters 6-8, complete worksheets
1-4 PM
Discussion: Birds (Dr. Gibbons)
Video: “Galapagos: The Islands that Changed the World” PT 1
Mon. Jan 13
1-4 PM
Read Chapters 4 and 10, complete worksheets
Discussion: Plants and Insects (Dr. Gibbons)
Video: “Galapagos: The Islands that Changed the World” PT 2
Tues. Jan 14 Read Chapters 11 and 12, complete worksheets
1-4 PM
Discussion: Marine life and Conservation of the Galapagos
Video: “Galapagos: The Islands that Changed the World” PT 3
Wed. Jan. 15
1-4 PM
“Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World”
Thurs. Jan. 16
1-4 PM
EXAM?
Sat. Jan 18
MEET AT BIRMINGHAM AIRPORT AT 10:00 AM
BRIEF ITINERARY IN GALAPAGOS
Day 01
Sat. January 18
USA/Guayaquil, ECUADOR
Evening arrival in Guayaquil.
Overnight at Hotel Oro Verde.
Day 02
Sun. January 19
GUAYAQUIL/ SAN CRISTOBAL
Breakfast, Early morning transfer to the airport and board the Aerogal
flight to the Galapagos Islands. Visit Galapaguera of Cerro Colorado , where we
see tortoises in natural habitat; transfer to yacht, Kicker Rock
B,L,D
Day 03
Mon. January 20
TOWER ISLAND
In the morning, we wake up anchored in Darwin Bay. Hikes, panga rides and
snorkeling!
B,L,D
Day 04
Tues. January 21
BACHAS BEACH/NORTH SEYMORE
Hikes on the beach, snorkeling, land iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and frigate
birds!
B,L,D
Day 05
Wed. January 22
FERNANDINA/ISABELLA
In the morning we visit Punta Espinosa on Fernandina, (a.k.a “Iguana City”, Dr.
Domcekova’s favorite!). In the afternoon, we visit a mangrove cove, where we
can see rays, sea turtles, and other sea life.
B,L,D
Day 06
Thurs. January 23
ISABELLA
In the morning we visit Urbina Bay, where we will see four miles of coastal sea
bed by the beach. In the afternoon, in Tagus Cove we will hike to some fantastic
overlooks. Afterwards, we can kayak or snorkel and then we all go for a panga
ride to see penguins and other wildlife.
B,L,D
Day 07
Fri. January 24
PUERTO EGAS, SANTIAGO/ RABIDA ISLAND
After breakfast we search the tide pools along the shore of Puerto Egas, Santiago
(James) Island looking for octopus, starfish and other sea life. In the afternoon, we
see amazing geological formations and hike to a saltwater lagoon on Rabida
where we have the chance to see flamingos.
B,L,D
Day 8
Sat. January 25
PUERTO AYORA, SANTA CRUZ
In the morning, we board a bus and ride to the uplands, where we will see one of
the few “wild” populations of Galapagos Giant Tortoise and walk through a lava
tube. In the afternoon we visit the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa
Cruz. There may also be time to buy souvenirs in Puerto Ayora.
B,L,D
Day 9
Sun. January 26
SAN CRISTOBAL / GUAYAQUIL
We begin at at Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal and visit the Interpretation
Center. Then, we board our Aerogal flight to Guayaquil. We have a tour of the city
of Guayaquil and transfer to the Hotel Oro Verde, where we have our farewell
dinner, and then transfer back to the airport.
B,(L),D
Day 10
Mon. January 27
GUAYAQUIL
Arrive in Birmingham after clearing immigration and customs in Miami
TBA
GET TOGETHER AND REFLECTION OF OUR TRIP (i.e., pizza party).