GALÁPAGOS EVOLVING. Andrew Hamilton Tony Frankino Spring 2015 HON4397/BIO 3397 Tues & Thurs: 1:00-2:30

Transcription

1 GALÁPAGOS EVOLVING Andrew Hamilton Tony Frankino Spring 2015 HON4397/BIO 3397 Tues & Thurs: 1:00-2:30

2 Learn about evolution. See biology in action. The volcanic islands of the Galápagos archipelago are diverse, important, and beautiful. They have a unique, complicated geologic history and experience unusual w e a t h e r p a t t e r n s, o w i n g t o interactions between ocean and wind currents. Their isolation, geologic diversity, and climate have produced large numbers of species that exist nowhere else in the world. This diversity kindled ideas that have become the foundations of geologic and biological evolution, and offered some of the most important data in modern biology. The Galápagos archipelago was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in In recent years, the islands have become less isolated. The double edged sword of ecotourism offers economic promise but risks harming the delicate geology and biology of the islands. Imported species threaten endemics and the unique ecosystems they inhabit. Moreover, climate change will alter the ocean and wind currents that control the island chain's weather and make possible its staggering marine diversity. To combat these problems, programs at forefront of conservation biology that integrate sociology, economics, biology, and policy have been developed and implemented in the Galápagos. We will use the Galápagos as a model to explore several topics in geology, evolutionary biology, history, conservation, policy, and ecotourism. This integrative, multifaceted course will include readings, student-led discussions, films, and lectures from faculty across disciplines at UH. Students will also build a course project a semester-long exploration of a topic or topics centered around the Galápagos. Course Structure Students can register for 1 or 3 credit hours using prefixes in Honors or Biology. Students who register for one hour will attend the course plenary on Tuesdays. These meetings will provide a general introduction to the islands. Those electing to take the course for three hours will have a seminar experience with a twist: we will be developing a set of nature photography and videography skills with a view toward completing a class project that includes documentation of some aspects of the final segment of the course. The class will culminate with a trip to the islands in May The trip is not required for course credit. Neither is the course required for t h e t r i p, b u t i t i s s t r o n g l y encouraged.

3 IN JULY OPENED A FIRST NOTE BOOK ON TRANSMUTATION OF SPECIES. HAD BEEN GREATLY STRUCK FROM ABOUT A MONTH OF PREVIOUS MARCH ON CHARACTER OF SOUTH AMERICAN FOSSILS & SPECIES ON GALÁPAGOS ARCHIPELAGO. THESE FACTS ORIGIN (ESPECIALLY LATTER) OF ALL MY VIEWS. Journal of Charles Darwin, Summer of 1837, two years after his first Galápagos landing aboard the Beagle.

4 Schedule of sessions and topics Tuesday Plenary Meetings We ll use these sessions as general introductions to the Galápagos, as well as for the development of narrative tools and projects. Items in italics point to student work. Week 1: Introduction, Planning, and Travelogue. Project: Journey to a Little-Known Campus Week 2: Overview of the Islands: A Brief History of the Galápagos; (Reading: Nichols, Prologue and Rocks ). Better Know An Island Week 3: Geology of the Galápagos; (Reading: Jackson, Environmental Setting ). Best Nature/Travel Writing Week 4: Introduction to Ecuador. Better Know A City: Quito, Riobamba, and Puerto Ayora Week 5: Project Development: Shoot Lists and Scripts Week 6: Introduction to Evolutionary Biology (Reading: Sloan Wilson A Third Way of Thinking ) Video Editing Exercise Week 7: Finches! (Reading: Quammen, What Darwin Saw ). Let s Taxonomy! Week 8: Galápagos Underwater (Reading: Nichols Ocean ). Spring Break Dive Trip Week 9: Biology of the Galápagos: Plants (Reading: Jackson ) Week 10: Initial Screening/Reading Projects Week 11: Biology of the Galápagos: Herps (Reading: Jackson, Reptiles ). Better Know a Reptile Week 12: Initial Devlopment of Shoot and Interview Lists Week 13: The Galápagos Since Darwin Exploration, Exploitation, Ecotourism (Reading: Nichols, Humans ) Week 14: The Future of the Islands Invasion Biology, Sustainability, and Climate Change (Jackson Conservation in the Islands) Week 15: GalápagosFest Students who only attend these m e e t i n g s a r e w e l c o m e d (a n d encouraged) to attend the many supplementary Galápagos-related discussions, films, and training sessions we have planned for the Fall 2014 and Spring 2015 terms. It is usually a mistake to go back, but I have now returned three times to the Galápagos Islands since my first visit in 1978 and each time the excitement has been undiminished. Sir David Attenborough, 2013

5 Schedule of sessions and topics Thursday Seminar Meetings These sessions accomplish two goals: they provide more opportunity for discussion of the ideas addressed in our Tuesday meetings, and they will allow development of our semester project(s). We ll use these meetings not only to discuss ideas and learn concepts, but also to plan course projects and acquire naturalist skills. The schedule is as follows: Week 1: Project Development: Journey to a Little-Known Campus: Best Campus Features Week 2: Geology, Volcanism, and Geomorphology (Reading here); Campus Geology (Reading: Grant and Grant, Modes of Speciation ). Better Know a Species Week 8: Spring Break Dive Trip Week 9: Bio-Tour of Campus Plants. (Reading here). Better Know A Plant Week 10: Written Feedback on Initial Work Week 11: A Closer Look at the Marine Iguana. (Reading here.) Week 12: Revise Trip Shoot Lists Week 13: Darwin in the Galápagos (Reading: Voyage of the Beagle, selections). Week 14: Ecotourism (Reading: Critical Issues in Ecotourism, selections). Week 15: GalápagosFest! We ll work in the weeks between the end of the course and the beginning of the trip to refine our equipment needs for diving and shooting, as well as for travel. We ll also check and double check our documents and coordinate our shoot lists with our itinerary. Finally, those who want to can dive with the instructors to work on underwater camera skills, editing, and shot planning. We ll also plan at least one trip to a nearby state park for final checks of still photograhy skills and equipment. Week 3: Geology and Geography II: (Reading Beebe, Tower: An Island Sanctuary ). Where ve You Been? Week 4: Geology on the Ecuadorian Mainland: Cotopaxi. (Reading here). Week 5: Review of Project Materials (Training for new divers will start about here) Week 6: Evolution in the Galápagos: (Reading: Grant and Grant, Origins and History ). Week 7: Evolution: Adaptation, Radiation, Selection, and Speciation

6 Evaluation, grading, and outcomes. Students who enroll for a single hour will be assigned final grades b a s e d o n a t t e n d a n c e a n d participation; minimal work outside of class will be required. Students who sign enroll for three credits will attend, participate, and also complete assignments, including at least two developmental pieces (photo portfolio, video, prose piece, etc.), as well as one semester project. Project form will be decided in consultation with the instructors: students who wish to enhance their knowledge of evolutionary biology, for instance, might choose a standard paper, field or lab research project, or thesis, while students who want to work on film or writing might choose to produce travel writing or a video short. Assignments will be weighted as follows: Attendance and participation: 30% First developmental work: 20% Second developmental work: 20% Semester project: 30% Group work is encouraged. Learning Outcomes Through this course, students will: Become conversant in at least one form of science communication for lay audiences. Develop an understanding of ecotourism and its complications. Understand the basics and some details of evolutionary theory. Become familiar with the history, ecology, geology, culture, and biogeography of the Galápagos.

7 We re encouraging Team Galápagos to complete Open Water Diver Certification. A great deal of the biological diversity and the human story of the Galápagos is best viewed from sixty feet below the ocean surface. PART OF THE 2015 TEAM DURING SCUBA TRAINING AT THE REC.

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