Comparative Temperate/Tropical Ecology & Biogeography
5 Credit Hours
June 8–26, 2026
Instructor:Dr. Jim Costa, Western Carolina University/Highlands Biological Station & Mr. Travis Knowles, Francis Marion University/Wildsumaco Biological Station
This unique field course takes a comparative, field-based approach to exploring the montane ecology and biogeography of both the Southern Appalachian Mountains and the Amazonian Andes—in the spirit of the eighteenth- and nineteenth-century explorer-naturalists.
Students will investigate:
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The geological context of the Appalachians and Andes
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Comparative biogeography and ecology of both regions
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Environmental and historical forces that shape biodiversity
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Latitudinal and elevational diversity gradients
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Principles of forest community structure and function
Throughout the course, we will examine evolutionary patterns and processes that give rise to species diversity, inter-species interactions, and ecological adaptation.
This immersive experience includes residency at both Highlands Biological Station and Wildsumaco Biological Station, providing students with firsthand exposure to two of the world’s most biologically rich mountain systems.
NOTE: Space is limited and applicants will be considered on a first-come/first-served basis. Please inquire about space availability prior to registering. For inquiries and further information please contact Dr. Costa at costa@wcu.edu or 828-787-1712.
Meet the Instructors
Dr. Jim Costa
Dr. James T. Costa is the Executive Director of the Highlands Biological Station and a Professor of Evolutionary Biology at Western Carolina University. An evolutionary biologist, historian of science, and prolific author, Jim’s research spans insect social behavior, chemical ecology, and the history of evolutionary thought.
He has written extensively on Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, including Darwin and the Art of Botany (with the Oak Spring Garden Foundation) and the acclaimed Radical by Nature: The Revolutionary Life of Alfred Russel Wallace. Jim’s scholarship bridges science, history, and culture, inviting readers and students to explore the roots—and ongoing relevance—of evolutionary ideas.
A passionate educator and naturalist, Jim has led field courses for decades in the southern Appalachians and around the world. His work continues to champion the rich biodiversity of the Blue Ridge and the importance of conservation, research, and public understanding of science.
costa@wcu.edu
Travis Knowles
Travis Knowles is a biology professor with more than 30 years of teaching experience in conservation, mammalogy, ornithology, and tropical ecology.
His research focuses on mammalian biodiversity and community structure, with particular emphasis on camera-trapping surveys and plant–animal interactions, including the effects of large grazers on plant community composition and diversity.
Travis is the founding Director of the Wildsumaco Biological Station in Ecuador, which supports teaching and research in tropical biology, ecology, and conservation.
tknowles@fmarion.edu