Tropical Cloud Forest Ecology in Costa Rica 

This course will provide students with first-hand experience in the diverse tropical forests of Costa Rica.

The course runs through the second short session of summer, 11 days of which will be spent in Costa Rica exploring the ecosystems and culture it has to offer. 

As tropical forests are not present in the contiguous United States and these are some of the most species-rich systems in the world, students will have the privilege of:

• Experiencing the diverse, species-rich environment and becoming acquainted with factors that can adversely affect these ecosystems.
• Conducting field research projects and gaining hands-on research experience in the tropics.
• Becoming acquainted with the aspects of diversity, species interactions, and distribution and abundance patterns of various taxa.
• Experiencing the local culture and history of the region, as well as the local sustainable farming practices.

This program is embedded in the UNG course BIOL 4620K, which takes place on the Dahlonega campus during the 2025 second short summer session.

Accompanied by UNG Professors with a group of UNG students.