The goal of this course is to study the biodiversity of terrestrial and aquatic systems found in the boreal forests of Minnesota and the northern transition forest in Wisconsin.  Students will learn ecological research techniques and field identification methods for plants and animals, and will study the abiotic factors that impact these organisms.  To achieve these goals, we will spend approximately 9 days in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness of Minnesota, 2 days in northern Wisconsin, 1 day in Ohio, and four travel days.  The travel days will include stops at ecologically important places passed along the way.  Students will sample plants, study vertebrate and invertebrate animals, sample soils, and measure climate parameters. Click here to view the Duke Marine Lab Field Study.