Course Description
Crops and cropping systems in tropical America; influences of geography, climate, and socioeconomic factors, as well as the impact of agriculture, on the ecosystems of the region.
Additional Requirements for Graduate Students:
A more in-depth term project.
Athena Title
AGROECOLOGY TROP AM
Prerequisite
Permission of department
Semester Course Offered
Offered spring
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
1. Familiarize students with the ecological and agricultural systems of tropical America, the major agricultural commodities produced there, and their interactions with the economy and the environment of the region. 2. Link current developments in ecology, agronomy, horticulture and environmental sciences with examples and experiences of their applications in tropical America.
Topical Outline
Orientation Field trip slide show and information SECTION I: Defining the tropics Tropical climate overview (Rieger) • Meaning of the word “Tropic” • Solar radiation, temperature, global circulation patterns • Precipitation intensity, seasonality; wet/dry seasons • Microclimates, environmental modification • Temporal and spatial distribution of crop production in relation to climate Tropical soils overview (Guest lectures, Dr. Larry West) • Soil types, potential productivity • Erosion, soil conservation Tropical ecosystems (Sarmiento) • Lowland rain forests • Cloud forests • Dry forests • Savannah Context of agriculture in tropical America (Sarmiento) • Land tenure systems & their origin • Farmer types and organizations • Infrastructure • Parks and conservation • Quiz 1 to students Reading & interpreting information- developing critical thinking skills (Guest lecture, Dr, Michelle Momany) Discussion # 1: Sustainability (Sarmiento; Guest speaker, Dr. Eugene Odum) • Wes Jackson • Dennis Avery • Quiz 1 due SECTION II: Tropical crop production systems PreColumbian systems from (Parrott) • Native crops • Slash and burn • Raised fields • Terracing • Maize • Case study- Copán Farming systems (Parrott) • Plantations • Small-plot farms • Contract farming • Case study -tobacco Farm labor and demographics (Sarmiento) Staple crops & the Green Revolution (Parrott) Primer on pesticides & biotechnology (Rieger & Parrott) Discussion # 2: Pesticide use in agriculture (Rieger) SECTION III: Major tropical crops Plantation Crops I - Shade Crops (Parrott) • Cacao, coffee, & tea Plantation Crops II - Intensely Managed Crops (Rieger) • Sugarcane • Banana • Pineapple • Quiz 2 to students Plantation Crops III - Plantations vs. Extractive Economy (Parrott) • Rubber & Oil Palm • Chicle Biogeography (Guest Lecture, Dr. Diana Lieberman) • Quiz 2 due • NOTE: $500 trip deposit due!! • Last class before spring break Orchard crops (Rieger) • Fruits from the rainforest? • Temperate fruits in tropical countries • Major tropical fruits: Citrus, mango, papaya, avocado, date Specialty Crops I (Rieger) • Exotic fruits • Flowers and ornamentals for export Discussion # 3: Biotechnology (Parrott) Specialty Crops II • Medicinal plants (guest lecture, Dr. Jim Affolter) • Forage/pasture/cattle (Parrott) Forest plantations & Agroforestry (Sarmiento) • Aquaculture (Guest lecture, Dr. Gary Burtle) • Quiz 3 to students Student oral presentations • Quiz 3 due Term Papers Due Last Day of Class, 5pm Trip orientation (Parrott, Rieger) *Parents are encouraged to attend* • Health and safety issues (e.g., immunization, foods, hygiene, first aid) • Legal issues (passports, laws, insurance, signing of waivers) • Travel tips and preparations (packing, money) • Other (appropriate dress and behavior) • Balance payment for the trip is due