Tropical Ecology

Tropical forests are the most diverse ecosystems on earth, supporting over 50% of all biodiversity. They play a major role in regulating global climates and are key to the livelihood of a substantial proportion of the world's human population. However, they are also among the most threatened of all biomes. Understanding the ecology and evolution of tropical forests, and people's dependence on these habitats is fundamental to their future management and conservation. This course will help you appreciate how conducting experiments and surveys in the field is critical to understanding and using the theory you learn in the classroom. The course presents the natural history and ecology of tropical forests through practical exercises, lectures, site visits, tutorials, small group project work and (most importantly), day to day experience in the field. You will learn survey techniques for monitoring plants, vertebrates and invertebrates and ecosystem functions, visit and discuss large-scale experiments, forest management and restoration sites, and explore the importance of evidence-based science for conservation and management of tropical ecosystems.