Sustainability and Resilience of Tropica

Course Overview

SUSC PS5410 - Tropical Highland Ecosystems - Vietnam is an intensive, field-based sustainability course that immerses students in the study of tropical highland ecosystems from within an area that is home to two UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserves; Núi Chúa (Khánh Hòa Province, with Núi Chúa National Park as the core zone) and Lang Biang (Lâm Đồng Province, with Bidoup–Núi Bà National Park as the core zone). These two regions span an ecological transect from coastal drylands and marine ecosystems to high-elevation montane and cloud forests and is home to multiple indigenous peoples, highlighting their exceptional biodiversity and cultural value. Their recognition under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere Program illustrates their international significance as areas for balancing conservation and sustainable development.

The significance of tropical highlands becomes increasingly apparent as the global climate warms and sea level rise forces migration away from deltaic lowlands. Critical ecosystems services provided by these highland environments are threatened not only by a warming climate, but also by changes in land use and increased population. Local indigenous people have survived in these highlands for generations, and are particularly at risk from these changes, comprise one of our main areas of interest. Furthermore, we will be immersed within an area of high biodiversity and endemism, with more than 14 tropical ecosystems that serve as home to numerous endangered species, including the sun bear, the antelope-like saola, giant and Truong Son muntjacs (barking deer), and the gray-shanked douc langur. The region is also rich in endemic plant species, including the enigmatic krempfii pine that is found only in the Central Highlands, and several other rare or endemic conifers. A single highland forest can exhibit exceptional species richness, with studies in the Central Highlands finding up to 70 tree species per hectare.

This course is designed for graduate students in the Master of Science in Sustainability Science program at Columbia University who are preparing for careers in environmental science, restoration ecology, climate adaptation, or ecosystem-based management. It is especially suitable for those interested in field-based research, biodiversity monitoring, nature-based solutions, and the integration of science with sustainability pract