Reading to be done before Class: ESBS Chapter 5
Come to class with a basic familiarity with the following concepts and ideas: Biological Evolution, natural selection, adaptation, artificial selection, species, population, community, ecosystem, speciation, extinction, endemic, habitat, niche, specialization, limiting factors, carrying capacity., K-selected, r-selected.

Introduction to Costa Rica’s Tropical Forests

• Closed Forests vs. Open Forests

• Rain Forests

• Tropical Moist Forests

• Tropical Dry Forests

• Tree Plantations

Evolution and Natural Selection

Biodiversity

Species

Population

Speciation

• Geographic Isolation
• Reproductive Isolation

Species Distributions

Range

• Intercontinental ranges
• Discontinuous ranges.
• Endemic species

Extinction

• Local vs. Global Extinction
• Causes of Extinction
• Population Risk
• Environmental Risk
• Natural Catastrophe
• Genetic Risk
• Traits of Endangered Species
• K-selected species vs. R-selected species

• Specialists vs. Generalists

Threats to Tropical Forests

What is being done to preserve Tropical Forests in Costa Rica?

• Reforestation Programs
• Preservation
• Debt for nature swaps
• Eco-Tourism