Overview

This 10-day field course in South Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands, focuses on biodiversity and ecology of flora and fauna across a range of marine ecosystems. The primary goals are to provide students with an insight into different tropical marine habitats (reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, beaches), to understand their biodiversity, adaptation of species within them, their anthropogenic disturbances, their importance through resources, and their subsequent complex management.

This 10-day field course in South Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands, focuses on biodiversity and ecology of flora and fauna across a range of marine ecosystems. The primary goals are to provide students with an insight into different tropical marine habitats (reefs, mangroves, seagrass beds, beaches), to understand their biodiversity, adaptation of species within them, their anthropogenic disturbances, their importance through resources, and their subsequent complex management

Assessment Strategy

-Excellent: Can record observations thoroughly, systematically and clearly, without significant omissions, taking trouble to find out details of identification to fine taxonomic level or to uncover theories of the function and evolution of the behaviour observed. Clear evidence of original, unguided observations.  Exhibits clear awareness of the ecological, biogeographical or environmental context of observations. Presents findings accurately and succinctly with clarity, imagination, originality and strongly developed aesthetic sense. Able to identify most organisms to species level, with evidence of thoroughness and awareness of potential pitfalls. Grade A (70-100%)

-Good: Can record observations clearly and systematically, with a grasp of the practical issues relating to collection and presentation of data/observations, and few major omissions. Exhibits strong knowledge of habitats and biota visited. Shows awareness their ecological, biogeographical and environmental context. Able to identify a majority of organisms to the appropriate level (usually genus or species in the case of vertebrates and the easier invertebrate groups, family for others). Presents findings accurately and with flair, clarity and originality. Grade B (60-69%)

-Threshold: Can record observations in a reasonably clear and systematic fashion and has some grasp of the practical issues relating to collection and presentation of data/observations. Considerable inconsistencies in note-taking remain. Exhibits some knowledge of habitats and biota visited and the relevant conservation/ management issues, although this may be very incomplete and contain significant errors. Presents findings largely accurately and clearly. Able to identify most organisms at least to the level of major group. Grade D & C (40-49%)

Learning Outcomes

• Demonstrate identification skills and knowledge of the flora and fauna of visited study sites. 

• Demonstrate the ability to make detailed, thorough and original field observations and to record and present them systematically.

• Demonstrate the skills necessary for self-managed and lifelong learning (undertaking directed reading, time management during field excursions and assignments, working to a deadline, immersing yourselves in the culture of the Turks and Caicos Islands).

• Demonstrate understanding and the ability to address environmental and ecological factors governing the diversity in tropical marine habitats and prevailing conservation challenges.