An introductory course to Ecology, the study of the natural environment and of the relations of organisms to each other and to their surroundings, with emphasis on the tropical setting and Costa Rican models of conservation. Population demography; the physical world, adaptation and geographic variation of same; interactions, competition, predation, community development, biodiversity, biogeography.

1. Description of ecology and related fields

• To define Ecology, Biodiversity and their interactions
• To describe protected systems
• To analyze human interactions wit the ecology

2. Description of interaction in ecosystems

• To explain differentials between ecosystems
• To recognize all the tropical ecosystems
• To analyze the human role in the ecological systems

Session 1
Introduction
• Definitions of ecology, species, population
• Relation with other sciences

Session 2
Concepts of Ecology
• Dispersion, distribution
• Biomes
• Ecosystems
• Habitat, life zones

Session 3
Social and Ecological Information about Costa Rica
• Political division, demography, Culture, history.
• Climate, life zones, geography

Session 4
SINAC
• Description of conservation areas of Costa Rica
• Structure and differences
• La Marta Wild Life Refuge

Session 5
The Natural areas of Costa Rica
• Primary flora and fauna species
• Ecological and social problems related to the conservation areas of Costa Rica
• Possible solution: genuine ecotourism, organic agriculture, agroforestry, community organization

Session 6
The Forests and some interactions
• Forests of the world: primary and secondary forest.
• Forests of Costa Rica: Tropical Rain Forest, Tropical Cloud Forest, Tropical Dry Forest, Tropical Humid Forest
• Interactions between species (flora y fauna).
• Research Management Policies

Session 7
Contamination an Ecology
• Some specific cases

Session 8
Zooecology of Costa Rica
• Mammals
• Interaction and problems

Session 9
Zooecology of Costa Rica
• Reptiles and amphibians
• Interaction and problems

Session 10
Coastal Ecosystems
• Coral Reefs of the Caribbean coast
• Turtles
• Another species
• Conservation and social problems

Session 11
Pressure over Ecosystems
• Population
• Landscape uses
• Water uses
• Different waste-matters

Session 12
Species, Evolution and Biogeography
• Geological history of the neotropical ecosystems
• Co- evolution and Keystone species (flora y fauna)

Session 13
Introductions to Costa Rica botanical species
• Taxonomy
• Natural history

Session 14
PRESENTATION OF “POR UN HOGAR COMÚN”
• General Discussion

Session 15
• Final exam

• Henry, G. y Heinke G. (1999) Ingeniería ambiental. 2 ed. México. Prentice Hall.

• Janzen D. (1991) Historia Natural de Costa Rica. Editorial de la Universidad de Costa Rica. San José, Costa Rica.

• UNED. (1997). Manejo adecuado de los desechos sólidos en industrias. UNED.

• Boza M. (1996) Costa Rica National Parks. INCAFO Costa Rica. San José, Costa Rica.

• Atlas (1995) Costa Rica and the Environment Rotterdam, Holland

• Reid W, and others (1993). Biodiversity Prospecting: Using Genetic Resourses for Sutainable Development. World Resourses Institute.

• Observatorio del Desarrollo (2002). GEO Costa Rica: una perpesctiva sobre el medio ambiente 2002. Observatorio del Desarrollo. San José, Costa Rica.

• Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo. (2002) Central American Policy on the Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands. Comisión Centroamericana de Ambiente y Desarrollo. San José, Costa Rica.

• Observatorio del Desarrollo (2002). Indicadores del Desarrollo sostenible de Costa Rica. Observatorio del Desarrollo. San José, Costa Rica.

Evaluation
With a combination of lectures, group field exercises, and individual research projects, students will be immersed in the ecology and evolution of a neotropical forest.
Participación	20%
Readings and discussions	20%
Term paper	20%
Homework	20%
Final exam	20%
Total	100%