Wooster Summer in Ecuador
Wooster Summer in Ecuador
Ecuadorian textiles. Photo Taken by Dr. Lyn Loveless, Wooster Summer in Ecuador Director.
Spring 2010 & July 10 – August 1, 2010
Biological conservation is a global issue. The basic principles of conservation biology, which include protection of genetic diversity, species diversity, and ecosystem diversity, can be taught virtually anywhere; however, the pressure for effective conservation is especially intense in areas of the world whose native biological diversity is vast and still largely intact. Countries such as Ecuador are among the most diverse areas on earth, but also a location in which the competition for resources by a variety of stakeholders is most easily observed. In addition, in Ecuador, the inherent economic inequality of the population, and the high level of dependence that local, more traditional peoples place on raw natural resources, makes the issues of development, livelihood, economic growth, protection, and sustainability even more dramatic.
An appreciation of this cultural diversity, in concert with issues of sustaining biological diversity, will be essential in allowing students to tease apart the assumptions and power relationships that stakeholders bring to resource conflicts. To this end, both the cultural and the biological elements of Ecuador will be under scrutiny during the entire course.
Academics
BIOLOGY 199: Conservation Biology in the Tropics
This course examines conservation issues in the tropics from multiple perspectives, with a focus on biodiversity, resource conservation, habitat protection, and development issues in Ecuador. The course includes an intensive and physically rigorous three-week field experience in Ecuador during the summer. We will examine the links between human livelihoods, resource protection, and development. We will also explore the impacts of human activities on tropical species, natural habitats and social institutions (including indigenous cultures) and will look at examples of successful conservation projects involving both Ecuadorians and international non-governmental organizations. All students going on the summer trip are required to enroll in and complete the 0.5-unit seminar course on campus in the spring prior to the off-campus course. To enroll in the course, students must meet the criteria for off-campus study; however enrollment in the course is limited. Pre-requisites: none. Does not apply for credit in the Biology major. Offered in summer of 2010. One and one-half credits. [+]
Itinerary
Part I: On-Campus Seminar
Students must enroll in the Spring 2010 seminar course in order to participate in the off-campus experience. This seminar-format class will meet once a week (Fridays at 1pm). The class will include required readings, class discussion, lectures, films and videos, and other appropriate resources.
Part II: Off-Campus Experience
Day 1 - Sunday 7/10
Fly to Quito from Ohio. General orientation.
Day 2 - Monday 7/11
Mindo (ecotourism and biodiversity) and Reserva Rio Guayacuyacu (nature reserve and organic farm). Orientation to Guacuyacu: Farming and the tropics. Geography and landscape, a look at how people live in the highlands, population density, urbanization in the highlands.
Day 3 - Tuesday 7/12
Reserva Rio Guayacuyacu and neighboring village of Santa Rosa (homestay). Mining issues, rural livelihoods in the lowlands, economic options for rural peoples, local education, development pressures from mining firms, second growth versus primary forest, dependence on natural resources.
Day 4 - Wednesday 7/13
Santa Rosa (volunteer project). Local livelihoods, community action.
Day 5 - Thursday 7/14
Intag Cloud Forest Reserve. Biodiversity in the Ecuadorian cloud forest, altitudinal gradients in biodiversity, Ecuadorian efforts to protect habitat, pressures on highland environments.
Day 6 - Friday 7/15
Intag Cloud Forest Reserve. Paramo vegetation, mining and development in the cloud forest, biodiversity, endemism, impacts of mining and its associated development.
Day 7 - Saturday 7/16
Otovalo (indigenous market). Quito. Quito Zoo. Conservation issues faced by zoos in Ecuador, indigenous populations of the highlands, ecotourism, conservation efforts within Ecuador, environmental education, endangered species protection.
Day 8 - Sunday 7/17
Papallacta (a high altitude site, Termas de Papallacta, optional hike to Paramo). Biodiversity, pressures associated with heavy levels of tourism at a natural site, effects of climate change on high altitude landscapes, class differences among Ecuadorians, ecotourism, therapeutic value of hot springs.
Day 9 - Monday 7/18
Termas de Papallacta (options for hiking, soaking in natural hot springs, horseback riding). Free day.
Day 10 - Tuesday 7/19
Tiputini Biodiversity Station (rainforest, access by bus and canoe). Altitudinal gradients, development, rural cities, deforestation, oil exploration, politics.
Days 11 – 16 - Wednesday 7/20 - Monday 7/25
Tiputini Biodiversity Station. Rainforest biodiversity, oil extraction issues, indigenous Ecuadorians, stakeholders in forested landscapes, research and its role in conservation, oil exploration and damage to habitats.
Day 17 - Tuesday 7/26
Yachana Lodge (Amazon ecolodge, access by canoe). Realities of living in the Oriente.
Day 18 - Wednesday 7/27
Yachana Lodge and Colegio Tecnico. Meet Yachana Foundation founder Douglas McMeekin. Conservation, sustainability, education, identifying local needs, thinking outside the box, ecotourism, fragmentation, forest and species loss, empowering indigenous peoples.
Day 19 - Thursday 7/28
Yachana Lodge. Service project for Yachana Foundation.
Day 20 - Friday 7/29
Quito (access by canoe and flight). The size of the problem, the scope of the answers.
Day 21 - Saturday 7/30
Cultural exploration day in Quito, including trip to the old town, teleferico. The Urban Ecuador, history, and future.
Day 22 - Sunday 7/31
Return flight to Ohio.
Accommodations
Lodging throughout the trip includes hotels in Quito, cabins in Guacuyacu, rural homestay in Santa Rosa, lodges in the stations/reserves.
Application Procedures
Participation in this program is by application only. Students must submit an application and a release of liability signed by the student and parents/guardians. Participants will be chosen based on their applications and an interview with the program Director.
Contact Information
Please contact Dr. Lyn Loveless in the biology department or the OCS Director for more information.