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Coral Reef Ecology in Panama
Friday, June 19, 2020, 8:00 AM to Monday, July 13, 2020, 5:00 PM EDT
Category: Course

Location (Field Station):
Bocas del Toro Biological Station

Start Date:
06/19/2020

End Date:
07/13/2020

Course Description:
This course is designed to provide the student with a sound foundation in ecological concepts, techniques and experimental design in field research as applied to coral reef ecosystems. The material covered is equivalent to a university upper level course in coral reef field ecology. The course will begin with a global ecosystem perspective and then will progressively narrow to assess the way in which local reefs are influenced by both global and local phenomena. We will briefly survey reef systems in various parts of the world and focus in depth on Caribbean reefs. Using the reef at Bocas del Toro as an example, we will carry on an inventory of representative reef biota to characterize a general reef community. We will examine several theories of the origins of reefs and discuss some controversial arguments on the ecological processes ruling the dominant state and health of coral reefs. Students will learn to characterize a general reef community and its place among surrounding marine habitats. The major reef biota will be discussed in terms of their phylogeny, biology, physiology, ecological requirements and roles in species interactions on reefs. We will discuss the impacts of anthropogenic stressors to coral reefs and the role of marine reserves in reef restoration and conservation. In the inventory we will examine several experimental designs and sampling schemes with regard to their usefulness in a reef setting.

Web Address of Course Info:
http://www.itec-edu.org/


Contact: Dr. Longin Kaczmarsky [email protected]