The Rain Forest Microbiome course is taught for 3 weeks in “Early Autumn” after summer sessions end and before autumn quarter begins

Dr. Robert Tournay and Professor Sharon L. Doty

Link to UW Study Abroad site for info on how to apply

Program Description

Costa Rica is famous for its tropical rainforests, but did you know that the Olympic Peninsula hosts four temperate rainforests only a short drive from Seattle? During this unique study abroad program, we will explore both tropical and temperate rainforests, beginning at the La Selva Biological Station in Costa Rica and finishing at the Olympic Natural Resource Center on the Olympic Peninsula.

The core element of this research-intensive program will be investigations of the plant-microbe interactions in tropical and temperate rainforests. Not all microogranisms cause disease, and plants host many beneficial bacteria and fungi that promote the health of the plant through various mechanisms such as nutrient aquisition and pathogen resistance. For example, how trees acquire nutrients through symbiosis with microorganisms is thought to be strikingly different in these two ecosystems, but are there undiscovered similarities as well? Do the plant-microbiomes in these rainforest ecosystems reflect similar patterns of biodiversity and distribution that are found in the other taxonomic groups, such as insects, birds, and plants? How do they compare in terms of community structure (who is there) and functional roles (what they are doing)? As part of this program, you will gain experience in field and lab research while participating in an active research project seeking to gain a deeper understanding of the rainforest microbiome.

Costa Rica leg: The program will begin in the tropical rainforest at the La Selva Reserve, where you will work with the UW instructors and Costa Rican naturalists guides in the field and lab to extract and culture microorganisms from a variety of native tropical plants. From there the group will travel to the rural community of Mastatal where we will collect more plant samples while exploring the wildlife and waterfalls of La Cangreja National Park and visiting Finca La Iguana Chocolate, where the family produces chocolate from their own cacao orchard. The Costa Rica leg will end with a trip to the Pacific coast, a kayak tour of the mangroves, and a day at Manuel Antonio National Park.

Olympic Peninsula leg: The group will then travel back to Seattle and continue the research in the temperate Bogachiel Rainforest on the Olympic Peninsula. We will hike along the river trail in the majestic Bogachiel Rainforest, comparing this forest to those in Costa Rica and collecting samples to test for symbiotic microbial activities. After night hikes at ONRC and a tour of the Olympic Rainforest, we will return to UW to analyze our samples in the Plant Microbiology Laboratory.

Rainforest Microbiome Course Itinerary 2023

Costa Rica Leg

• August 27th  Hotel Casa Tago, Alajuela.
  • Program starts with the orientation dinner at 7:00 pm
• August 28th – September 3rd  La Selva Biological Research Station, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui
  • Research and Tropical Rainforest Ecology
• September 3rd – 6th  Finca Siempre Verde, Mastatal
  • Research and adventure
• September 6th – 8th  Hacienda Baru Ecolodge, Baru (Pacific Coast)
  • Guided tour Manual Antonio National Park (free day)
  • Kayak tour Damas Island Mangroves
• September 9th – 10th  Travel weekend CR to US

Olympic Rainforest Leg

• September 10 – day off in Seattle (laundry; pack)
• September 11 – travel day via UW vans to Olympic Natural Resources Center
• September12- Bogachiel Rain Forest
  • Hiking; evening seminar
• September 13 Bogachiel Rain Forest
  • Sample collecting; team discussions
• September 14 – ONRC
  • Sample processing; night hike
• September 15 – Olympic National Park -Hoh Rainforest
  • Hiking; team presentations
• September 16- Travel back to Seattle

• • Samples to UW Plant Microbiology Lab for processing