Study Abroad: Galapagos Islands, Ecuador--July/August 2022
Learn about the Study Abroad trip scheduled this summer to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. Consult t
he Study Abroad website for cost and date details. Deadline to apply is March 11, 2022.
Field Ecology: Galapagos Islands (Ecuador).
Students will participate in two (2) ongoing research projects through the Universidad San Francisco de Quito-Galápagos Academic Institute for the Arts and Sciences: Monitoring human-sea lion interactions & Photo categorization and identification of sea turtles.
We will assist ongoing research projects on two different endangered species, the green sea turtle and the endemic Galapagos sea lion. We will be snorkeling and taking photos to study how sea turtles use their habitat. Using photo identification and computer technology, we can estimate the population size. We can identify individuals and track where they travel. We will also collect data about where the turtles forage and hang out, and what depth they prefer (surface or near the bottom of shallow areas). There are increasing interactions between boat traffic and sea turtles in Galapagos. This research will help us understand how the turtles use their space, and it may help us regulate where boats can and cannot go.
We will also be studying the behavior of Galapagos sea lions. Increasingly, they are having to share their habitat with humans. We will census different populations and collect behavioral data to better understand how humans are affecting how sea lions behave, and whether this is having negative consequences for their survival.
The plan is for students to participate in both observational projects. Students will NOT be handling animals during this course.
6 credit hours.
Airfare to/from Quito Ecuador
is not included; airfare to/from the Galapagos Islands from Quito
is included. Once you proceed through the Study Abroad First Steps/introduction, you can apply for grants to help offset the cost. Two options (of several) are below:
