The Temple Ambler Field Station is a platform for integrated research and education, where students can get hands-on field-based research experiences to complement their academic training.

Our course offerings leverage the Temple Forest Observatory, our other natural environments and facilities , and recent impacts from a severe windstorm  to explore ecological relationships in nature and their recovery after disturbance. 

Transportation between the Temple Ambler Field Station and Main Campus is available for free for any Temple University student who wishes to take one of these field courses.  Transportation during the academic year is provided by the intercampus bus and SEPTA shuttle.  Summer transportation is also provided.  For more information about our courses, please contact us at [click-for-email].

Field Research in Community Ecology (Temple University BIO 3389/5389)

Field research is a cornerstone of contemporary community ecology.  Through this summer course taught at the Temple Ambler Field Station, students will learn how field research has advanced scientific understanding of fundamental concepts in community ecology, while gaining hands-on experience designing and conducting field research.  We will use an inquiry-based approach to learn about ecological theory and discover the natural history of our local ecosystems, while gaining experience with diverse field methods.  Students will work collaboratively on a class research project and conduct independent research in small groups.  While some activities will take place in the classroom or lab, most activities will be held outdoors, in the natural environments around the Temple Ambler Campus.

Disturbance Ecology (Temple University BIOL 3380, section 101 / 5466)

Nature is dynamic, and ecosystems across the globe are defined by their disturbance regimes.  Disturbances can be caused by storms, floods, fire, and species interactions.  Disturbances can reset an ecosystem, and understanding resilience to disturbance is a cornerstone of contemporary ecology.  Further, as climate change alters the frequency and severity of storms and other natural events, disturbance regimes are changing, and understanding these dynamics can help predict and mitigate future impacts.  In this course students will learn the conceptual foundations of disturbance ecology, while having hands-on opportunities to study disturbance dynamics in the field.  Training in field methods and data analysis will be provided. 

This course is taught at the Temple Ambler Field Station, with natural areas that recently incurred damage from an EF2 tornado.  Students should expect to be outdoors regularly, learning about ecological disturbance and recovery as it unfolds in these environments in real time.  

Ecology of Invasive Species (Temple University BIOL 3275/5275)

Species that are transported by humans from their native range and successfully establish and spread in a new environment are called invasive species.  Invasive species can cause significant ecological and economic impacts and are a growing threat to native species and ecosystems across the globe.  Recognition of this problem has led to a recent surge in research on invasive species and a better understanding of the ecology of invasions and approaches for improved prevention and control.  Yet many challenges still hinder scientific and applied advancements in this emerging field. 

In this course we will use the Temple Ambler Field Station as an outdoor laboratory to investigate these challenges and the science of invasive species using interactive, field-based activities and student-driven projects. 

Course Modules

Field station staff are trained ecologists and educators and can assist with the development or implementation of field components of courses, or support faculty in implementing modules of their own design.  We encourage course instructors from Temple University or other colleges and institutions to contact us if they wish to use the Field Station in an upcoming course offering.