Course taught in Grand Cayman, Aruba, Panama, Costa Rica, and Mexico
3 credit hours
INSTRUCTOR:
Dr. Kenneth M. Crawford
211 TCNW
745-6005
kenneth.crawford@wku.edu
Course Description:
The objective of this course is to introduce students to the diverse ecosystems, unique biodiversity and natural history of the Caribbean Basin. We will also examine conservation efforts and ecotourism in the region. Students will see first hand the diverse terrestrial and aquatic habitats of the region by visiting Cayman Islands, Aruba, Panama, Costa Rica and Mexico ( Cozumel). Each of these countries possesses their own unique ecosystems, environmental problems and potential solutions. Each of these countries also has their own culture and human history, so another important objective of the course is the student’s exposure to these diverse cultures. Travel to each site will be aboard a cruise ship (Celebrity’s Constellation), which will present numerous opportunities to discuss sea travel, navigation, oceanography, astronomy, etc. The efficiency brought about by the scale of cruise ships and competition in the industry makes this mode of transportation the most economical, especially when one considers inclusion of room and board.
Grand Cayman is the largest island in the Cayman Is. and is home to its capital city, George Town. Grand Cayman is a British crown colony and has been under British rule since its colonization in the late 1700’s. Geologically, Grand Cayman is a small outcropping of the Cayman Ridge and is surrounded by coral reef. The highest point on the island is only 60 ft. above sea level, making it very susceptible to hurricanes and rising sea levels associated with global warming. Grand Cayman is also home to the world famous Cayman Turtle Farm, a conservation effort begun in 1968 to provide a sustainable source of green sea turtle meat for the local market while replenishing stocks of this species in the Caribbean Basin. To date they have released over 35,000 turtles into the wild.
Aruba, part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, yet independent of the Netherlands Antilles, lies just 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela. The ABC Islands, (Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao) are of volcanic origin. They lie south of the hurricane belt ( 12 o N) and receive just 18 in. annual rainfall, making Aruba a tropical desert island. The juxtaposition of coral reef and cactus is striking. The trade winds, continuously blowing from the east, bend divi divi trees so that they point the way toward the capital city of Oranjestad. Aruba will be an ideal location to discuss island biogeography, as we examine the large number of endemic species and their origins.
Panama lies on the narrow bridge (isthmus) of land connecting North and South America, barely separating the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Geologically, the land bridge was formed just 3-5 million years ago from the movement of the N. American and S. American plates and up-thrust of previously submerged crust. It is an amazing nexus of both marine and terrestrial biodiversity, recently (in evolutionary time) spanned by the Panama Canal. The movement of species between the continents through Panama has led to it being called the mesoamerican biological corridor. Over 900 species of birds have been identified here, more than in all of North America. From Colon, Panama we will visit the canal and the Gatun Locks as well as the San Lorenzo Protected Area in the rainforest for a hike with the potential to view howler monkeys, sloths, anteaters, tapirs, toucans, tree frogs and perhaps jaguars in their natural habitat. These are ideal locations for discussion of the threats to rainforest biodiversity as well as the impact of the canal and its construction.
Costa Rica , which gained independence from Spain in 1821, is in many ways the model nation of Central America. With a couple of brief exceptions, Costa Rica has been a peaceful democracy since 1824, and today has no standing army and Central America’s highest standard of living. It has been a leader in Central American wildlife conservation and ecotourism, however recent advances in health care and its economy has lead to a 3% annual population growth rate and considerable pressure placed on the land. Deforestation and global warming have lead to the documented extinction of treefrog species in the last 25 years. From Puerto Limon we will visit the Parque Nacional Tortuguero and see rain forest, mangrove swamps, lagoons, and sea turtle nesting beaches.
Cozumel is a Caribbean island, 12 miles off the Yucatan Coast of Mexico. The island is ringed with coral reefs making Cozumel one of the top dive and snorkel destinations in the world. Cozumel and its reefs were heavily damaged by hurricane Wilma in October 2005, but as of January 2006 all services on the island have been restored and all tour operators have resumed operation. By January 2007, recovery of the island should be complete, most of the dive spots are on the more sheltered west side of the island and should be nearly recovered by our visit. Our focus on Cozumel will be coral reefs, the most productive and diverse of marine environments.
Course Expectations and Requirements:
This course combines traditional elements of instruction with the advantage of experiential learning in the Caribbean. Students are expected to attend all lectures, read assigned readings and attend all field trips during our time ashore in the Caribbean.
Course Examination and Grading:
25% One exam will be given in class prior to departure.
25% A short quiz will be given at the start of every class (at sea).
25% Short essays (5) based on assigned readings
25% Journal
Grades are assigned based on a 10 point straight scale, i.e. 90-100 = A, 80-89 = B: etc.
Course Reference:
Costa Rica (Travelers Wildlife Guides)- Les Beletsky ISBN 0-12-084810-4
Reading Assignments:
Papers/Articles to be assigned aboard ship
All students are expected to take the exam at the scheduled time. Late papers will not be accepted without valid medical reasons and prior approval of the instructor. Any form of academic dishonesty, such as cheating or plagiarism, will not be tolerated. Students found guilty of such practices will receive zero points for the work in question and also be subject to university disciplinary actions.
Note to Disabled Students : Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the Office for Student Disability Services, Room 445, Potter Hall. The OFSDS telephone number is (270) 745-5004 V/TDD.
Itinerary/ Lecture Schedule:
Jan. 3 Classroom Preparation for trip: Geography, Geology of the Caribbean Basin
Jan. 4 History: from the Arawak and Maya to the Present
Jan. 5 Climate, Ecosystems, Biodiversity
Jan. 8 Depart Nashville 6:40 AM; Arrive Fort Lauderdale 10:55 AM; Embarkation: Celebrity m/s Constellation ~ 1:00PM; Departure 4:30 PM
Jan. 9 Day at Sea
Lecture: Sea Turtle Biology and Conservation
Lecture: Elasmobranch Biology
Jan. 10 George Town, Grand Cayman (7AM – 4 PM)
Tour of Grand Cayman Turtle Farm
Sting Ray City/ Coral Gardens Snorkel (North Sound)
Jan. 11 Day At Sea
Lecture: Biophysical Aspects of Marine Environments
Lecture: Island Biogeography, the lizards of Aruba
Jan. 12 Oranjestad, Aruba (10 AM – 8 PM)
Island Tour, Seaworld Explorer Semi-Submersible
Jan. 13 At Sea
Lecture: Amphibian Biodiversity
Anthropogenic Alteration of the Environment, Habitat Destruction, Global Warming
Jan. 14 Colon, Panama (8:30 AM – 6 PM)
Tour : Panama Canal/Rain Forest Walking Tour ( San Lorenzo)
Jan. 15 Puerto Limon, Costa Rica (7 AM – 6 PM)
Tour : Tortuguero Canals, Mangroves
Jan 16 Day at Sea
Lecture : Coral Reefs
Jan 17 Cozumel, Mexico (10 AM – 7PM)
Tour : Mayan Ruins, Punta Sur Ecological Preserve, Snorkel Coral Reef
Jan 18 Day at Sea
Discussion : Impact of ecotourism in the Caribbean
Jan 19 Disembark, Ft. Lauderdale (~8:30)