Coral Reef Ecology introduces students to basic ecological and biological principles
such as competition, diversity, symbiosis, disturbance, adaptation, reproduction, and recruitment as well as
basic biology and identification of the major taxa living in coral reef ecosystems. This course also examines
the importance of seagrass and mangrove ecosystems and gives an introduction to planktonic communities.
Scuba and snorkeling excursions to the coral reef, mangrove and seagrass and laboratory sessions supplement the lectures and give students practical experience with common coral reef monitoring methods. Course 102 concentrates on building knowledge, surveying reefs, mangrove and seagrass using reef check and GCRMN methods
This complete course is Coral Reef Ecology 101 & 102. Each course takes 6 days and is a stand alone subject. Courses can be taken alone but we highly recommend 101 is taken before 102. Courses are usually run consecutively and the two courses take 13 days.
Learning resources for Coral Reef Ecology –>here<–
Days are spent in the field making observations and responding to questions and what I call “ecosystem challenges.” Underwater slates will be provided. We will examine linkages between coral reef, mangrove and sea grassbed ecology. We identify organisms and learn about taxonomy. We explore many physical aspects of coral reef ecology. Measurements and interpretation of environmental parameters help us to understand the distribution of reefs and the threats. We do group and individual projects on reefs very close to our research centre. We’ll spend lots of time in the water: snorkeling & SCUBA are part of the course. Especially during 102 we often dive 3 times every day.
Nights are spent in laboratory work, discussion groups, lectures, monitoring turtle nesting, night dives and astronomic observations using a telescope.
We recommend participants have underwater camera’s. Underwater torches are essential, normal equipment list is here –>what to bring<–
More information – Maps - Sabah - Celebes sea – Dive sites – How to get here