The three week long module operates at the end of the spring term (2nd year) on the remote coral island of Hoga (south-east Sulawesi) in Indonesia. Here, students conduct practical and theoretical exercises that are focused on coral reef ecology and conservation management and include:
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An initial week SCUBA dive training (for beginners) and dive orientation (for those already qualified).
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Snorkelling-based exercises in the shallow seagrass and mangrove habitats.
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Diving-based exercises of a variety of coral reefs (from pristine to anthropogenically impacted).
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identification skills and zoological classification
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Training in quantitative
sampling techniques for reef community structure, behaviour and
physiology
A major component of the field course is to provide you with training in how to undertake valid underwater scientific research. You will be divided into teams and asked to design and implement a research project. Project titles from previous years include:
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Host anemone selection by anemone fish on coral reefs
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Seagrass zonation patterns in tropical intertidal habitats
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The application of the island biogeography theory to coral bombies
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Habitat quality assessment using benthic transects and fish census
