Abstract During an ecology and environmental science field studies course, students were are able to survey the physical and biological processes in two locations within Chile. During the 2014-2015 winter break, a group of students went to Chile to expand their knowledge of ecology and environmental science. Field techniques, methodologies, ecosystem dynamics, issues in natural resource management, and conservation were introduced in this course. During the trip students conducted multiple transects, observed the wildlife, water sampling, and took part of ecotourism opportunities. The students interacted with the professors and students in the University of St. Thomas in Osorno and Santiago. We surveyed two locations in Chile: Rio Clarillo National Reserve and Puyehue National Park. Prior to the Chile trip, students practiced surveying different plant and animal species by using cards which was distributed in a patterned way around the UST academic mall in Houston. These cards included organisms that would be inventoried at the locations in Chile. The group identified plant species, marked distances, and took photos. Line transect survey techniques were used to estimate population density for a variety plant species in the two different Chilean biomes. The purpose is to use the data to determine the biome we are currently in and to monitor the species. The two transect locations represented the Mattoral and Valdivian temperate rainforest biomes in Central and Southern Chile.

Acknowledgements Universidad Santo de Tomás - Santiago and Osorno:Dr. Roberto Saavedra Rodriguez,Dr. Alexis Santibañez Barria , Dr. Fabio A Libra Rodriguez- Santiago , and Dr. Hector J Paves Hernandez Environment Science and Studies Department

IntroductionThe Course Description In the field course of ecology and environmental Science (ENSC 3300), students were are able to survey the physical and biological processes in two locations within Chile. In the class, students learned about history of Chile, plate tectonics and South America, biomes of Chile, plants of Chile, animals of Chile, and field work. Field techniques, methodologies, ecosystem dynamics, issues in natural resource management, and conservation were introduced in this course.

Summary of the Trip

Rio Clarillo Reserve

Puyehue National Park

Conclusion • Climate • Rio Clarrillo• Mediterranean climate (Mattoral) • warm to hot, dry summers and mild to cool, wet winters

• Puyehue National Park• Valdivian temperate rain forests • High rainfall

• Biodiversity• The Chilean Mattoral is home to many endangered, endemic, and threatened species. • Valdivian Temperate rainforest has broadleaf and mixed forests.

Results

Gomez, Monserrat; Aslani, Shelia; Dias, Kylah; Ford, Memory; Jordan, Brian; Klein, Sue; Ray, Amberly; Ufomadu, Ezinne, William Harris, Jr.,Environmental Science and Studies. University of St. Thomas, Houston, TX, 77006

Rio Clarillo Data sheets

Puyehue National Park Data sheets

MethodsLine transect survey techniques were used to estimate population density of a variety plant species in the two different Chilean biomes. The purpose is to use the data to determine the biome we are currently in and to monitor the species. We surveyed two locations in Chile: Rio Clarillo National Reserve and Puyehue National Park. Prior to the Chile trip, students practiced surveying different plant and animal species by using cards which was distributed in a patterned way around the UST academic mall in Houston. The exercise helps students to understand plants species are found in locations of the Chilean biomes.

Transect Sampling in Southern Chile

Date/Day Activities

December 27th,2014 (Day 1) Airport and fly overnight

December 28th,2014 (Day 2) Arrive in Santiago (free day)

December 29th,2014 (Day 3) Introduction to Santiago (city tour)

December 30th,2014 (Day 4) Rio Clarillo National Reserve (Transect)

December 31th,2014 (Day 5) Flight to Osorno

January 1st,2015 (Day 6) Parque Nacional Puyehue (transect)January 2nd ,2015 (Day 7) Rio Bueno

January 3rd ,2015 (Day 8) Coastal ecology experience

January 4th ,2015 (Day 9) Cabins at Caulin

January 5th ,2015 (Day 10) Chiloe(field work in the wetlands)

January 6th ,2015 (Day 11) Chiloe(field work in the wetlands)

January 7th,2015 (Day 12) Back at Osorno (final dinner)

January 8th,2015 (Day 13) Osorno to Santiago

January 9th,2015 (Day 14) Final day in Santiago (go back to Houston)

January 10th,2015 (Day 15) Arrive back to Houston

AnalysisThe transect exercise at campus helps students to understand plants species are found in locations of the Chilean biomes. The two transect locations represented the Mattoral and Valdivian temperate rainforest biomes in Central and Southern Chile. Based on the transects the Chilean Mattoral Biome is the only one that it has no forest zone before the mountains. Therefore, students find this climate dry and hot mainly found shrubland, thicket or bushes in this biome .In Puyehue national at the crater students mostly find little vegetation compared other locations at the national park. In the other locations in the national park vegetation mostly evergreen angiosperms and bamboos.

Cards in the academic mall

Location Description Name of PlantRio Clarillo Tall plant with saw grass

plant, has budding flower that is purple.  

Cirsium vulgare          

Rio Clarillo Blueberry like plant Aristotelia chilensis

Puyehue National Park

Vegetation in place of grass with flowering buds that are a light purple flower, the green around it is non-blooming. In continuous patches.  

.  Dicot; multiple flowering parts

Puyehue National Park

White moss on top of green moss on a tree. It’s a skinnier moss that looks like a bare tree branch close up and it is in patches   

Protousnea poeppigii  

Date/Day Activities

December 27th,2014 (Day 1) Airport and fly overnight

December 28th,2014 (Day 2) Arrive in Santiago (free day)

December 29th,2014 (Day 3) Introduction to Santiago (city tour)

December 30th,2014 (Day 4) Rio Clarillo National Reserve (Transect)

December 31th,2014 (Day 5) Flight to Osorno

January 1st,2015 (Day 6) Parque Nacional Puyehue (transect)January 2nd ,2015 (Day 7) Rio Bueno

January 3rd ,2015 (Day 8) Coastal ecology experience

January 4th ,2015 (Day 9) Cabins at Caulin

January 5th ,2015 (Day 10) Chiloe(field work in the wetlands)

January 6th ,2015 (Day 11) Chiloe(field work in the wetlands)

January 7th,2015 (Day 12) Back at Osorno (final dinner)

January 8th,2015 (Day 13) Osorno to Santiago

January 9th,2015 (Day 14) Final day in Santiago (go back to Houston)

January 10th,2015 (Day 15) Arrive back to Houston