SUNY-Oswego
Tropical Marine Ecology – Spring 2009
Course Objectives
Bio 301 will introduce you to the natural history of coral reef communities and the ocean environment surrounding the
Virgin Islands. Students will sail between field sites scattered around the British and US Virgin Islands aboard a
catamaran. Our floating classroom will allow you to learn about physical oceanography and marine ecology. The
catamaran will allow us to visit, observe and compare a variety of different coral reef and marine communities. In
addition to the biological explorations, you will have the opportunity to visit a number of different islands making up
the Virgin Island archipelago. This “island hopping” will allow you to compare the cultural and ecological differences
between each island.
Before leaving for the field portion of this course, you will begin to learn about basic oceanography, coral reef
communities, reef fish and creature identification. The online component of the course (taught by Dr Balko) is
designed to help you prepare to identify the biological communities you will observe and explore while visiting the
Virgin Islands. Students will be introduced to oceanography, the more common fish, vertebrates and invertebrates
found around the Virgin Islands, coral reef ecology, and animal behavior through a series of online mini-lectures and
interactive learning activities. We will then build on these skills and knowledge base when we observe and study the
ecology and behavior of these animals in their ocean environment. Your captain (Dr Cherubin) will present
oceanography and biophysical lectures that will help you to integrate your understanding of the ocean environment
with your studies of the biological systems it supports.
You will each have the chance to apply your skills in fish identification by participating in the REEF fish survey project
[http://www.reef.org/data/surveyproject.htm]. Data collected for these standardized surveys will be added to a
comprehensive database used to monitor reef fish populations. This valuable data set is managed by the REEF
organization and made available to the public, researchers, and educators.
Upon completion of BIO 301, you will have successfully achieved the following objectives:
1. Learn how to identify the major groups and common species of tropical fish & invertebrates living around
Caribbean coral reefs.
2. To gain field biology skills including reef survey techniques, collection of field notes, and species
identification during under water surveys.
3. To have a working knowledge of physical oceanography and marine sampling techniques.
4. To show competence in teamwork, data analysis and presentation skills.
5. To describe the diversity of habitats and species in terrestrial island communities and coral reef systems
and to discuss causative processes.
Virgin Islands Study Abroad Mission Statement ~
“No longer do we seek only the knowledge of how to voyage between islands. We see lessons to carry
home to our children ways to inspire the present generation to love and preserve our Earth as a sanctuary
for those who will inherit it” Nainoa Thompson,~Navigator Höküle‘a [Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument,
HI]
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COURSE SYLLABUS
3-Credit Online quarter course taught through SLN, and on site at the Virgin Islands.
Instructors:
Dr. Liz Balko [Cornell University], and Dr Laurent Cherubin [University of Miami]
Required Books:
Paul Humann guide series:
Reef Fish Identification
Reef Creature Identification
Fish in a Pocket ~ waterproof fish ID book
Required for the Trip:
Mask, fins & snorkel
Valid passport
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COURSE OUTLINE
SLN Online Module Activities Include:
Readings:
You will need to read the mini-lectures in each module along with the assigned web links.
Quizzes:
A combination of multiple choice & matching quizzes will be used to help you learn the material presented in
the modules. Quizzes will be used to help you learn the main concepts presented by the mini-lectures and
to build the animal identification skills you will need while working in the Virgin Islands.
Discussions:
There will be topics I want you to discuss with your classmates, and there will be opportunities for you to
initiate discussions around topics that intrigue you. These discussions will allow us to examine what we are
studying from various perspectives, and will help us begin to work together in preparation for our trip to the
Virgin Islands. Discussions will be structured so as to illustrate concepts presented in modules as they
relate to current events. Discussions are actually writing assignments that allow you to formulate and
present well thought out answers to concept questions, and use these narratives to engage in class
discussions.
Study Abroad in the Virgin Islands:
You will spend nine days exploring the British and US Virgin Islands while living aboard and sailing on a
catamaran. The “floating classroom” will be used to introduce you to physical oceanography, coral reef
community ecology, and animal behavior. Base knowledge and identification skills developed during the
online course component will allow you to maximize benefits of your field experience. While in the field,
emphasis will be placed on identifying and investigating how the physical environment shapes the
morphology, natural history characteristics and behavioral strategies of the biota making up the coral reef
communities around the Virgin Islands. The influence of Island biogeography on community structure will
also be discussed.
Evaluation & Grading:
Performance during the online component will be evaluated by a series of graded multiple choice/matching
quizzes and class discussions. The discussions will be designed to help you better understand current
events relating to Global Warming, effects of surface water temperatures on hurricane strength and the
impacts these ecological issues have on biological diversity and ultimately all our lives.
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Performance during the field component of the course will be evaluated by practical id quizzes, participation
in academic based field activities, and your contributions to life onboard the catamaran.
Your final grade will be based on your accumulated, average of on-line and study abroad activities.
Letter grades will be assigned for your final grade based on the percentage of total possible points you have
earned for the entire course:
A = 92 to 100%
A- = 90 to 91%
B+ = 88 to 89%
B = 82 to 87%
B- = 80 to 81%
C+ = 77 to 79%
C = 72 to 76%
C- = 70 to 71%
D+ = 67 to 69%
D = 62 to 66%
F = 61% and lower
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COURSE SYLLABUS
I. Online Pre-Trip Instructional Component:
1.
Icebreaker activities ~ Each of you has been drawn to this course for your own reason(s) [e.g. due to a
love of adventure, and/or an interest in the natural sciences], the “Icebreaker” will allow you to ‘meet your
classmates’ by sharing your interest(s) in this study abroad course.
a. Icebreaker Discussion
b. Self-Quiz- “Is online learning right for me?”
c. SLN Orientation quiz
2.
The Ocean Biome ~ The physical and chemical properties of the ocean are what drive and determine the
ecological communities we observe in the marine environment. It is, therefore, critical that you have a basic
understanding of how and why these physical forces operate the way they do if you are to understand the
diversity of life found in the marine environment.
3.
Survey of Caribbean Coral Reef Communities (Part 1) ~
a.
4.
Phylogenetic review of invertebrate marine taxa common to the Virgin Islands
i. Online activities will help you build the id skills you’ll need while exploring the Virgin
Islands
Survey of Caribbean Coral Reef Communities (Part 1) ~
a. Phylogenetic review of vertebrate marine taxa common to the Virgin Islands
i. Online activities will help you build the id skills you’ll need while exploring the Virgin
Islands
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5.
Dynamics and Diversity of Coral Reef Ecosystems ~ We will examine some of the major theories as to
how and why the different types of ecological communities in marine systems evolved. A review of the
major types of marine ecosystems will be presented.
6.
Behavioral Ecology of Coral Reef Organisms ~
a.
How the environment shapes the behavior of reef ‘creatures’
i. Foraging behavior
ii. Reproductive strategies
iii. Communication systems
7. Bioinspiration & Biomimetic Research: Learning from Nature to Help Combat Global Climate
Change ~
Examines links between the biological and physical sciences, engineering and technology in designing
biologically inspired solutions for reducing energy use and/or production of green house gases.
a. Students will participate in an online discussion focusing on biomimetics that could be used to help
reduce energy consumption.
b. Students will calculate their personnel ‘Carbon Footprint’ and discuss their results and ways to
reduce their footprint with the class during the “open forum discussion” that will follow the student
discussions of biomimetics.
II. Virgin Islands Field Component:
You will spend nine days exploring the British and US Virgin Islands while living aboard and sailing on a catamaran.
The “floating classroom” will be used to introduce you to physical oceanography, coral reef community ecology, and
animal behavior. Base knowledge and identification skills gained during the online course component will allow you to
maximize benefits of your field experience.
While in the field, emphasis will be placed on identifying and investigating how the physical environment shapes the
morphology, natural history characteristics and behavioral strategies of the biota making up the coral reef
communities around the Virgin Islands.
1.
Orientation to life onboard a catamaran and sailing ~
a. Boating Safety*
b. Crew responsibilities
c. Settling into cabins
2.
Field Oceanography ~ Field Oceanography lectures and activities will include introduction to:
a. Ocean current dynamics
b. Ocean observing systems
c. Reproductive strategies in coral reef ecosystems
3.
Exploration of Coral Reef Communities ~
a. Snorkeling and coral ID activities
b. Roving Diver [on Snorkel] REEF Fish Surveys [http://www.reef.org/data/surveyproject.htm]
c. Opportunistic Sea Turtle Surveys [http://www.reef.org/data/seaturtle.htm]
d. Coral Reef Community Surveys & Discussion
e. Behavioral Ecology Activities & Discussions
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4.
Mini-workshop at the University of the Virgin Islands: Overview of Ongoing UVI Marine Sciences
Research Projects ~
a. Presentations by UVI research scientists
5.
Mangrove Community Ecology and Exploration ~
a. Survey of mangrove biota and habitat characteristics
6.
Observation Supported Discussions of Island Biogeography ~ Focus will be on synthesizing physical
oceanography, ecology and animal behavior
*While in the Virgin Islands, All Participants Must Follow Safety Live Aboard Rules and Captain's Orders ~
1. Participate in boating operations: sailing, anchoring, and docking
2. Daily cleaning of common and private areas
3. Take turns with cooking and dish washing duties
4. Maintain water conservation while on board**
5. No alcoholic beverages on board
6. No student diving/ swimming without captain's clearance
7. No dinghy use without captain's clearance
If Rules Are Broken, the captain, Dr Balko, crew and SUNY-Oswego are not liable for anything that will happen on
board, in the water, outside the boat in general. Especially, the captain, Dr Balko, crew and SUNY-Oswego are not
liable for anything that may happen to the occupants of the dinghy if it was used at night without the captain's
consent. The individual responsible for the violation will be returned to land and sent home.
** Conservation of water in the catamaran storage tanks is not only important for our access to water for bathing
and kitchen use; it also reflects sound environmental awareness. We can all contribute to conservative water use by
taking boat showers (not leaving the water running while bathing) and shaving with baby powder instead of water [a
practice widely used in Italy to conserve water~ and YES it works!! ].
Virgin Islands Study Abroad Mission Statement ~
“No longer do we seek only the knowledge of how to voyage between islands. We see lessons to carry
home to our children ways to inspire the present generation to love and preserve our Earth as a sanctuary
for those who will inherit it” Nainoa Thompson,~Navigator Höküle‘a [Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument, HI]
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