The Geology of Ecology

$1,162.50

Dates:
June 10 - 13

Location:
Lamar Buffalo Ranch

Meals Included?:
No

Instructors:
Paul Doss, Ph.D.

Audience Type:
Adult

Program Type:
Field Seminars

Program Subject:
Ecology, Geology

Tectonic trout, Boiling bacteria, Caldera Communities, and Northern Range niches...In this seminar we'll explore the ecosystems that are in equilibrium with the awesome geologic setting of one of the world’s largest volcanoes, with its life- sustaining and life-threatening heat flow and its expansive high-altitude plateau. From sweeping and green to steep and rocky, bitter cold to fatally hot, and desert dry to swampy and wet, we'll look at the big picture and the details of the distribution and behavior of life in Yellowstone and how it depends on the geology of this magnificent landscape.

About the instructor

Paul Doss, Ph.D., makes geology come alive for his students. A former supervisory geologist for Yellowstone National Park, he now teaches in the Department of Geology and Physics at the University of Southern Indiana. For more than three decades, he has taught field geology, conducted research, and completed geologic mapping in the Rocky Mountain Region and the Yellowstone Plateau.

Download Program Information:

The Geology of Ecology Course Letter

More Information:

Lodging | Audience Descriptions

We are continually updating and refining our COVID-19 mitigation measures to ensure the health and safety our guests, staff and volunteers. Read our COVID-19 guidelines for program participants.

SUMMER ACTIVITY LEVEL SCALE

Be prepared to hike up to 1 mile per day, comfortably, through relatively flat terrain on maintained trails.
Be prepared to hike up to 3 miles per day, comfortably, with elevation gains up to 600 feet. Some off-trail hiking possible.
Be prepared to hike up to 5 miles per day, comfortably, with occasional elevation gains up to 1000 feet in undulating terrain.
Be prepared to hike up to 8 miles per day, at a brisk pace, comfortably, with climbs up to 1500 feet on dirt trails. Loose rocks, uneven footing, and off-trail hiking are possible. Good coordination is recommended.
Be prepared for brisk aerobic, destination-oriented hiking up to 12 miles a day. You should be physically conditioned to do these hikes comfortably. Elevation changes up to 2000 feet on dirt trails or off-trail. Loose rock, uneven footing, steep hillside traverses, and stream crossings are possible. Good coordination is required.

WINTER ACTIVITY LEVEL SCALE

Leisurely hikes up to 1 mile per day through relatively flat terrain on maintained or snow-packed trails.
Hikes on snow-packed trails, or snowshoe or ski trips, up to 3 miles per day with climbs up to 250 feet.
Brisk hiking, snowshoeing, or skiing up to 5 miles per day with climbs up to 500 feet, including some trail-breaking in snow.
Brisk aerobic snowshoeing or skiing up to 8 miles per day with climbs up to 1000 feet; or steep, rugged, off-trail skiing or snowshoeing—including breaking trail in variable snow conditions.
Brisk aerobic snowshoeing or skiing up to 12 miles per day with climbs up to 1500 feet; or steep, rugged, off-trail skiing or snowshoeing—including breaking trail in variable snow conditions.