Familiarise students with common families and species of fish and corals in the Indian Ocean
Increase students knowledge of other major biota in the Indian Ocean
Provide students with knowledge of the range of environmental impacts affecting coral reefs, and a broad understanding of the mechanisms involved
Make students aware of the principal management issues affecting coral reefs, particularly with respect to Marine Protected Areas in the Indian Ocean
Give students experience of the principal survey methods used to monitor coral reef communities
Develop understanding of the strategies and issues involved in designing sampling programmes
As this is an optional field course module a charge additional to tuition fees is incurred by students taking this module. Costs will vary depending on number of students on the module, exchange rates, changes in accomodation charges by providers etc. In 2017-18 the cost of the field course per student, with 11 students attending the module, was £1320 per student.
Module learning outcomes
Identify major functional groups within a coral reef ecosystem
Identify common fish and coral species
Undertake surveys to assess the abundance and diversity of fish, corals and other reef invertebrates
Propose the most appropriate strategies for monitoring reefs and reef biota at either specific sites or across larger areas
Recognise likely causes of coral mortality and coral community degradation and suggest measures to combat them
Appreciate the principal management issues arising in coral reef areas and be able to address them
Contrast Indian Ocean reef biota and management issues with those from other areas
Generic / Employability Skills:
Gained practical field work experience work in a variety of underwater sampling techniques and species identification
Gained experience in how to handle and analyse field data
Become able to appreciate the difference between a healthy and a degraded coral reef
Experienced life in a highly remote location with very basic facilities
Indicative assessment
Task
% of module mark
Essay/coursework
100
Special assessment rules
None
Indicative reassessment
Task
% of module mark
Essay/coursework
100
Module feedback
Written feedback on your report will be e-mailed within four weeks of your hand-in.