Coastal Ecology and Culture
Islands, Reefs and Mangroves (Biology/Sociology)

SPRING SEMESTER

Academic Focus

Mangroves and the zone between land and sea are a key component of global biodiversity and sustainability. This course examines the ecology of costal zones, as well as the human communities that live and depend on the rich biological resources of costal areas.

Learning outcomes

• Understanding of the key issues in coastal resource management
• Understanding the biological processes within coastal ecosystems
• Knowledge of significant plants and animals and their relationships within and to the mangrove
• Understanding of the sociological and political dynamics related to coastal resource management in southern Thailand
• Understanding of resource scarcity and its impact on local and regional stakeholders, with a special focus on shrimp farms and rubber plantations
• Ability to apply expedition skills essential for field studies such as kayaking and snorkeling
• Biological field survey methods, especially as related to coastal ecology, mangroves, and sea grasses
• Sociological survey methods, including competency in conducting village-level surveys of fishing communities and tourism sites
• Proficiency with the tools of field research, including using a GPS during mangrove and village surveys, use of satellite imagery, and ability to carry out basic socioeconomic surveys in Thai, etc.
• Ability to carry out cross-mangrove and cross-village transect surveys
• Competence in marine navigation using GPS units, nautical charts, satellite imagery, topographic maps, tide charts, and compass work
• Competence in the rudimentary components of warm-water sea kayaking
• Knowledge of the community changes and adaptation after the impacts from the tsunami

Experiential Field Study Components

Mangrove field studies, field biology, studies of seagrass communities and dugong habitat, fishing and local livelihoods, extensive talks with local people on indigenous management strategies.

Living situation

Extensive beach camping, host families in small Muslim fishing villages.

Modes of travel

Fly/train/van to site, longtail boat, extensive multi-day sea kayaking.

Location(s)

Krabi and Trang Province, Libong Island.