The course provides a general introduction to the rich environmental diversity of Ecuador and the principal problems associated with that diversity. It explores Ecuador’s ecological regions through an introduction to the major groups of plants and animals of the region, biodiversity and conservation issues, and natural resources management and environmental policies. Special attention is given to human impact on the different ecological regions and how this is affecting the sociopolitical environment. The course visits some of the ecosystems in the mountain, coastal, and Amazon regions.
Prerequisites:
Basic course in ecology or permission of the instructor.
Method of presentation:
Lectures, seminar work, student projects, field trips.
Required work and form of assessment:
Weekly assigned readings, two class presentations, one term paper, final exam; attendance at all course-related field trips is mandatory. Final grade is based on class contributions (10%), mid-term exam (20%), term paper (10%), 12-15 page research paper (30%), and the final exam (30%).
content:
Introduction: Terminology, geography, climate, geology, and social characteristics of Ecuador.
Biological, cultural, and ecosystem diversity in Ecuador.
Overall descriptive ecology of the mountain areas of the tropics covering the mayor ecosystems (Andean Cloud Forest and Páramo), along with introduction to the major groups of plants and animals of the region. General uses and problems of these ecosystems.
Mindo (a biodiversity “hot-spot” in the Andean Cloud Forest).
Otavalo market and surroundings.
Valle del Chota (Chota Valley) and Páramo del Ángel in the Carchi Province.
Descriptive ecology of coastal zone (mangroves, “humedales,” Galápagos, and coastal ecosystems), characteristic flora and fauna, and environmental problems associated with these areas.
Machalilla National Park and Manglares-Chrute Reserve.
The Amazon Region (the Tropical Rain Forest ecosystem). Introduction to the ecological principles applied to the functioning of tropical rain forests superimposed on the natural history of the ecosystem. Conservation and management issues.
Puerto Misahualli, Napo Province.
The Ecuadorian Protected Area System (SNAP): National parks, ecological reserves, etc. Problems affecting these areas.
Natural resources management and environmental policy in Ecuador.
Sociopolitical and environmental conflicts: What are they? What are some possible solutions?
Sustainable development in Ecuador: How feasible is it?
Required readings:
Josse, Carmen (ed.). La biodiversidad del Ecuador, Informe 2000. Quito: Ministerio del Ambiente, Eco-Ciencia, UICN. 2001.
Vargas, Mario. Ecología y Biodiversidad del Ecuador. Quito: E.P. Centro de Impresión, 2002.
Recommended readings:
Carrera de la Torre, Luis. La Gestión Ambiental en Ecuador. Quito: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores del Ecuador. 1993.
Jackson, Michael H. Galápagos, A Natural History. Calgary: University of Calgary Press, 2001.
Kricher, John. A Neotropical Companion. New Jersey: Princeton University Press, 1997.
Patzelt, Erwin. Fauna del Ecuador. Quito: Imprefepp, 2000
Patzelt, Erwin. Flora del Ecuador. Quito: Imprefepp, 2002.
Sierra, Rodrigo (ed.). Propuesta Preliminar de un Sistema de Clasificación de Vegetación para el Ecuador continental. Quito: Proyecto INEFAN/GEF-BIRF y Eco-Ciencia, 1999.
Brief Biography of Instructor:
Hugo Valdebenito earned a Ph.D. in Botany from the Ohio State University. He is currently a professor of Botany and Ecology at Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador, where since 1993 he has taught seminars and lectures on General Botany and Sistematics, Ecology of the Galápagos Islands,Flora of Ecuador, and Introduction to Sciences courses. Current research areas focus on the flora of the Galápagos Islands. In addition, Dr. Valdebenito was the Head of the Terrestrial Plant Program at the Charles Darwin Research Station from 1989 to 1993.
The Environmental Diversity Of Ecuador
The course provides a general introduction to the rich environmental diversity of Ecuador and the principal problems associated with that diversity. It explores Ecuador’s ecological regions through an introduction to the major groups of plants and animals of the region, biodiversity and conservation issues, and natural resources management and environmental policies. Special attention is given to human impact on the different ecological regions and how this is affecting the sociopolitical environment. The course visits some of the ecosystems in the mountain, coastal, and Amazon regions.
Basic course in ecology or permission of the instructor.
Lectures, seminar work, student projects, field trips.
Weekly assigned readings, two class presentations, one term paper, final exam; attendance at all course-related field trips is mandatory. Final grade is based on class contributions (10%), mid-term exam (20%), term paper (10%), 12-15 page research paper (30%), and the final exam (30%).
Hugo Valdebenito earned a Ph.D. in Botany from the Ohio State University. He is currently a professor of Botany and Ecology at Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Quito, Ecuador, where since 1993 he has taught seminars and lectures on General Botany and Sistematics, Ecology of the Galápagos Islands,Flora of Ecuador, and Introduction to Sciences courses. Current research areas focus on the flora of the Galápagos Islands. In addition, Dr. Valdebenito was the Head of the Terrestrial Plant Program at the Charles Darwin Research Station from 1989 to 1993.