ENV 691b () / 2026-2027
Field Course: Tropical Sustainable Landscape
Note: this course information is for the 2026-2027 academic year, not the current academic year (2025-2026).
|
Credits: 3
Spring 2027: Time and location TBA |
|
This field course introduces students to conservation-related issues with emphasis on Amazonia and Cerrado biomes. By the end of the field course, students are familiar with the main drivers of deforestation and vegetation degradation related to the expansion of Brazil's agricultural frontier. The students are also exposed to the main risks for local populations associated with agriculture expansion and intensification. The course also provides a basis to understand how vegetation in those biomes interact with their environments at local, regional, and global scales. The field visits emphasize the ability to recognize the broad strategies by the Brazilian government to develop the region, the existing conservation opportunities, and the benefit for ecosystem services. The students have the opportunity to interact with scientists, environmentalists, policymakers, and farmers during this field course. This course assumes that students learn better when they work in cooperative groups and when they have opportunities to discover information for themselves that is relevant to their own lives. There are no prerequisites for this course. All students from various academic backgrounds are encouraged to enroll. However, the field course is designed to provide an interactive and engaging learning experience, and as such, it is capped at a maximum of eight students. This ensures personalized attention and meaningful interactions among peers and the instructor, especially during the field trip. Priority is given to students approaching the completion of their degrees and to those with research focus on the tropical conservation. This prioritization aims to facilitate a diverse class composition, incorporating students who have a foundational understanding of their disciplines while welcoming fresh perspectives. In the event of high demand for the course, an application process will be implemented. This process will require interested students to submit a brief application detailing how the course aligns with their academic and professional aspirations.