NATURAL HISTORY OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
June 8 - 17, 2004
($995 plus air)
(college credit available)
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Waipio Valley
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This tour will deal with aspects of Hawaiian natural history during a tour
of the island of Hawaii. The most active and remote volcanic islands in
the world provide unique opportunities for studying ecological succession,
biological evolution and volcanism. This tour also offers unusual opportunities
to study in the areas of archeology, cultural anthropology, and marine
biology.
The following topics will be discussed:
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Volcanic formation of the islands and their subsequent erosion.
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Geological characteristics of the Hawaiian volcanoes.
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Reef and beach formatiion.
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Isolation and speciation on islands and in kipukas.
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Endemism, exotics, and extinction in Hawaiian biological communities.
- Preservation of Hawaii's ecosystems and cultural heritage by the National
Park service and other agencies.
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Ecology of marine communities.
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Primary succession on lava.
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Early Hawaiian versus contemporary ethnobiology.
- Archeology of early Hawaiian settlement on the Big Island.
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Ecotourism issues in the Hawaiian Islands.
The group will be visiting sites and local experts who will stimulate interest
in the topics listed above. There will also be evening presentations and discussions.
There will be many short hikes and snorkeling trips to see eruption sites, volcanic
formations, flora, fauna, petroglyphs, and archeological sites. Many parts of
the Hawaiian Islands, which we will explore, remain a naturalist's paradise.
This tour will help you learn to appreciate the diverse ecosystems of
the 50th state. Highlights will include visits to eruptions and to the
summit of Mauna Kea.
For information: Phone: (303) 444-2555, Fax: (303) 379-8390 or E-mail: eco@earthnet.net
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