Anne Steele of Perryville Studies Tropical Ecology in Costa Rica

2012 May 11

University of Evansville student Anne Steele, a resident of Perryville, MO, is spending part of the summer studying abroad in Costa Rica.

Steele, majoring in Biology, is one of 10 UE students enrolled in Tropical Ecology of Costa Rica, a semester-long course with a summer travel component that runs from May 7-23. Cris Hochwender, UE associate professor of biology, is teaching the course.

During the spring semester, students enrolled in Tropical Ecology of Costa Rica learned about the ecology and natural history of the Central American country. As part of this course, students gained a greater awareness of natural history, ecology, and conservation issues related to tropical environments; learned many of the distinctive features of the plants and animals of Costa Rica; and enhanced their ability to write and give presentations.

The course culminates in a tour of a multitude of ecosystems in Costa Rica, where students visit mangrove forests, tropical rainforests, tropical dry forests, montane forests, cloud forests, and river habitats.