Coral Reef Biology
F05, FWT06
Elizabeth Sherman
Coral reefs are among the most diverse, unique, and beautiful of ecosystems on the planet. Alas, they are also quite vulnerable to various environmental assaults, and most of the reefs on earth are in real jeopardy. In order to gain a more robust understanding of reefs, this course will have both a campus and a Caribbean component. In class, students will learn the taxonomy, identification, and characteristics of the animals that live in coral reefs. The off-campus component will take place on the island of Grand Cayman. Students will have an opportunity (for a week during Field Work Term 2006) to become certified scuba divers and to participate in on-going research. Students will collect and analyze fish inventory data and submit it to the Reef Environmental Education Foundation. Students will be able to compare their data with prior research. Moreover, students will have an opportunity to participate in ongoing research on sea turtles (through the Caymanian government) and southern stingrays (through a resident researcher on the island).