New ecosystems -- from Jesse

While different then Atenas and Santa Rosa National Park, ITEC has offered our group an insight into many completely new ecosystems and natural formations. Whether its a visit to the primary forest or trips to wet and dry caves to study bats and get a hands on look at limestone formations, nothing is more than a half an hour ride away. We have learned about mangrove swamps, hard coral formations. We have taken a boat ride in a torrential downpour to experience the canal built in the mid 19^th century for banana transportation from the upstream plantations to Bocas Del Toro.We have been exposed to different type of beaches, from cheddar reef, less than 100 yards from our dorms to the black sand volcanic beach at Serrapta. While in ITEC we have split up into smaller research groups and have had a chance to further explore many of the natural wonders available here. With studies ranging from behavior of leaf cutter ants to documenting the abundant coral found in the reefs near ITEC, the ability to further explore many of the interesting species and formations has given us a chance to hone the scientific process we started learning in Santa Rosa National Park and dig deeper into what tropical ecology has to offer.

--Jesse