Coral reefs are the most diverse of marine ecosystems supporting ½
a billion people around the world thus representing a significant
natural and economic resource. They are however threatened and some
predict that over the next 50 years exploitation levels will double
but, due to both natural and anthropogenic impacts, approximately half
of the coral reefs around the world will be irreversibly damaged or
lost. The future of coral reefs therefore looks bleak and active
management is urgently required. Management strategies need to
consider the main factors resulting in reef demise from a
multidisciplinary standpoint.
Aims of the module
This module aims to detail the main factors that negatively impact
coral reefs and will examine the process of coral conservation
management. The module will be taught on location within the Wakatobi
Marine National Park, the second biggest marine park in Indonesia. The
module will run for approximately 4 weeks at the end of the spring
term and running in to the Easter vacation.
Opportunities
The course will provide opportunities for dive training and
research diving activities. The research centre is ideally located
amongst local communities with different traditions and coral reef
dependency levels. Communication, both formal and informal, with
different stakeholders and community representatives will form a major
component of the module. This module therefore represents a unique
opportunity to visit the most diverse reef systems in the world and
discuss issues of resource exploitation and traditional management
practises directly with local people.
