University brochure 2016

Transcription

www.opwall.com
UNIVERSITY BROCHURE 2016
What is Operation Wallacea?
Fundraising support
WHAT IS OPERATION WALLACEA?
Operation Wallacea (Opwall) is an organisation that runs a series of
biological and conservation management research programmes in
remote locations across the world. These expeditions are designed
with specific wildlife conservation aims in mind – from identifying
areas needing protection, through to implementing and assessing
conservation management programmes. What is different about
Operation Wallacea is that large teams of ecologists, scientists,
academics and postgraduate researchers who are specialists in
various aspects of biodiversity or social and economic studies are
concentrated at the target study sites. This gives volunteers the
opportunity to work on a range of projects. The surveys produce a
large number of publications in peer-reviewed journals each year
and have resulted in 30 vertebrate species new to science being
discovered, 4 ‘extinct’ species being re-discovered, and over
US$ 2 million levered from funding agencies to set up best practice
management examples at the study sites. These large survey
teams of scientists and volunteers are funded independently of
normal academic sources. This enables large temporal and spatial
biodiversity and socio-economic datasets to be produced and
provide information to help with organising effective conservation
management programmes.
In 2016, the expeditions are operating in 14 countries and 11 are
available for university students to join. In each country, a long-term
agreement is signed with a partner organisation (e.g. Tela Marine
Research Centre in Honduras, Fund Amazonia in Peru, Wildlife
Ecological Investments in South Africa) and over the course of
this agreement, it is hoped to achieve a survey and management
development programme at each of the sites. Occasionally, a
competent local partner organisation is not available. In these cases,
Operation Wallacea mentors the formation of a new NGO formed
from local staff who have provided successful input to the expedition
surveys (e.g. Expediciones y Servicios Ambientales de Cusuco for the
Honduran cloud forests).
Most of our students are not able to pay for the expedition fully.
We do recommend a mixture of looking to personal finance and
savings, working in your holiday time and fundraising effort.
With planning and assistance from Opwall’s fundraising team
you should be able to raise a large portion of funds needed to
join. Please contact our office to find out details of a fundraising
meeting at your university or how to catch up if you have missed
one. We are able to give you full support and advice for many
fundraising events, activities and projects including:
■Assistance with accessing hundreds of charities and applying
for grant funding
■How to run sponsored activities
■Details of tried and tested fundraising events and how to make
the most from them
■Raffle; each year we also host a raffle enabling you to buy
tickets to sell at a profit – 1st Prize is a brand new car
BIODIVERSITY SCIENCE - www.biodiversityscience.com
Opwall is the publisher of Biodiversity Science. An online journal that
describes developments in biodiversity monitoring, new species discoveries
and advances in conservation management. Articles are peer reviewed by
a team of editors from Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, McMaster and Essex
Universities, Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Royal Geographical Society.
If you would like to receive the quarterly free journal then please visit the
Biodiversity Science website and sign up.
Academics
Undergraduates currently at university
Undergraduates completing a dissertation
Postgraduates – Masters and PhD
Medics – doctors, nurses & paramedics
Schools – specialist 2 week expeditions
Global research and conservation management strategy
CONTENTS
How to become part of the programme:
Undergraduates currently at university
4
Undergraduates wanting to complete a dissertation
5-6
Postgraduates - Masters or PhD
7
Academics8-9
Medics - Doctors, Nurses and Paramedics; please email [email protected] for further details
Medical elective & Pre-Med places
4 & 22
Country specific information
Indonesia Research assistant expeditions Dissertation topics – forest Dissertation topics - marine
Honduras Research assistant expeditions Dissertation topics – forest Dissertation topics - marine
Peru Research assistant expeditions Dissertation topics South Africa Research assistant expeditions
Dissertation topics
Who can become part of the programme?
10-19
12
14-15
16-19
20-31
22
24-27
28-31
32-37
34
36-37
38-43
40
42-43
Madagascar Research assistant expeditions Dissertation topics Mexico Research assistant expeditions Dissertation topics – marine
Dissertation topics – forest
Guyana Research assistant expeditions Dissertation topics - marine Cuba & Bahamas Research assistant expeditions Dissertation topics Transylvania Research assistant expeditions Dissertation topics Greece Research assistant expeditions 44-51
46
48-51
52-59
54
56-57
58-59
60-65
62
64-65
66-69
68
69
70-73
71
72-73
74-75
75
Dissertation summary table
Every available topic linked with broad subject area
76-77
The vast majority of science programmes that deliver key research outcomes are
characterised by short-term funding with restricted aims and biogeographical
ranges. Long-term projects covering large biogeographical scales that
incorporate more than one ecosystem are rare. The Operation Wallacea
programme provides the opportunity to consider science and conservation
of key ecosystems from a global perspective. Opwall is able to draw upon
researchers from a wide range of different disciplines and academic institutions
to address major issues related to the sustainable management and conservation
of some of the world’s most diverse but threatened environments.
A global research and conservation strategy has been developed and is
applied in 4 stages at each of the sites. This includes an initial assessment
of the biological value of the site (stage 1). If the site is accepted into the
Opwall programme, an ecosystem monitoring programme is established to
determine the direction of change (stage 2). If this reveals a continuing decline,
a programme for monitoring socioeconomic change in adjacent communities
is established to determine how these communities interact with the study site
(stage 3). Once data from stage 2 and stage 3 are obtained, funding applications
are submitted to establish a best practice example of conservation management
and the success of these programmes are then monitored (stage 4). There is
obviously considerable overlap between these stages and stage 1 projects can
be running at the same time as a stage 4 programme in order to add data to
understanding the ecosystem requirements of target species or adding to the
overall species lists for previously un-worked taxa.
Dates, fees and how to book78-79
www.opwall.com
2
3
Joining for Research Experience
Joining as a Research Assistant
If you are in, or have completed, university level education and have a good level
of English, you can join the expeditions as a research assistant. Relatively few
people have field experience working on real research projects. The Operation
Wallacea programme offers the opportunity to work with a range of academic
teams to strengthen your CV (resumé), or to help you decide whether field work
is of interest for your career. Research assistants are involved in a wide range of
tasks on each research topic and help to gather primary data.
To choose the best project for you:
■Decide your ideal countries
■Select 2-4 options
■View videos and further project information on our website
■Speak to staff at Opwall for advice
■Book your place and start fundraising
Joining for Medical Elective Placement
These placements are for medical students who have either completed their
4 year degrees and are moving into the clinical phase, or wish to gain field
experience of expedition medicine. The placements consist of:
■1 week jungle training and Neotropical forest ecology course
■1 week expedition medicine course
■2 weeks working at different forest camps supporting the doctors at those
sites and helping with the biodiversity assessments
■1 week dive training course on Utila Island
■1 week on reef ecology course on Utila Island and learning about hyperbaric
medicine
■2 weeks with the marine survey teams, supporting any medical issues
that arise
At the end of this 8 week period you would have experienced different types of
expedition medicine as well as gaining skills in jungle survival, diving and a
range of biodiversity monitoring experiences. Each of the different medical staff
who would have been mentoring you at the various camps would sign you off as
having received relevant experience in different aspects of expedition medicine.
Gaining Course Credit as a Research
Assistant – US & Canadian Students
For students interested in gaining course credit for their time on expedition,
there are two ways of organising this: (1) signing up for an external course or (2)
gaining internal course credit.
External course credit
If you are from a North American university and are going on expedition for a
minimum of 4 weeks (excluding dive training), all options can be used for credit
by signing up for the distance learning module BL3400 Tropical Research
and Field Study at University of St Andrews, Scotland. You will be awarded
20 course credits for the 4 weeks (equivalent of 3-4 credits at US universities)
and you will receive a graded transcript that can be used towards your GPA.
Email for more information [email protected]
Internal course credit
It is sometimes possible to use an Operation Wallacea expedition to gain credits
from your own university. This is often done through an independent study or
internship program. The amount of credit available will vary depending on which
university you are at and the duration of your expedition.
To organise gaining credit in this way, you will have to speak to your
academic advisors and often your study abroad departments to find out
what they can offer.
If you have any questions about gaining credit from your university, please email
[email protected]. It is very important that if you are gaining credit
in this way, you email us in advance so we know, even if you have no special
onsite requirements.
£2100 was received from a
bursary at the University of
Birmingham
4
2016 research sites
5
Completing a Dissertation or
Independent Research Project
Students use their time onsite to gather data for their undergraduate or
Masters level dissertation or thesis. You have the benefit of academic
support and using your summer break to collect data and work in some of
these remote locations. Over 90% of students completing their projects
with Operation Wallacea achieve the two highest marks for their work.
Many have been awarded best dissertation in their year, department
and even university. A number of Operation Wallacea students have
successfully published their projects too.
How to select and complete a dissertation or
independent research project
The 100+ topics have been listed in their respective countries. There is
a summary table on pages 76-77 listing all of the topics and classifying
them according to topic area (e.g. animal behaviour, marine ecology etc).
Each of the topics describe an area of study from which students
can develop their own research questions. For any particular topic a
small number of students can complete studies on different research
questions. Some of the topic areas involve data collected as part of the
general monitoring effort. In such cases, the data collection sites and
methods are fixed, meaning therefore that the range of possible research
questions is limited. It does mean that the likely sample size of the data
collected is large, allowing a greater variety of research questions to be
addressed using the data. Other subject areas, which are not part of the
general monitoring effort, allow a much larger range of possible research
questions and flexibility in the planning of the work. The main constraints
for these projects are logistical.
All fisheries students in
Indonesia have received over
80% for their projects
How do I decide upon a suitable dissertation topic?
■Decide your ideal topics
■Select at least 2-4 topic options
■View videos on our website that relate to the sites
■Contact the Opwall disseration support staff for advice
■Book your disseration space*
■Start fundraising
■Consult your university tutor
*If your university refuse your disseration place you are entitled to a full refund of your deposit, please
research. Once you have these comments you can then submit the final research
proposal to us and your internal university supervisor.
How do I prepare well before coming out to site?
Once you have decided on your preferred topic and booked on to the expedition,
you need to start preparing a draft research proposal. This must be submitted by
28 February to our senior dissertation advisor.
How will I be supervised in the field?
Once you are on site, the senior scientist will be introduced to you. You will meet
with your specialist field supervisor as well as the senior scientist to discuss
your proposed project plan in detail. You will then be asked to draft a timetable
for the implementation of the project plan which ensures that data are gathered,
any necessary interviews scheduled, background information collected and
spare time built into the timetable to allow for problems. During your field work
you will be supervised on a daily basis by your specialist project supervisor, you
will also have to report on progress regularly to the senior scientist.
note an email from your tutor will be required if you need to cancel.
The research plan should contain the following sections:
■a project title
■review of current literature relevant to your project, rationale for your project
and the specific aims and hypotheses of your research
■proposed data collection methods
■how the data will be analysed
■equipment requirements
■reference list
At this stage you also need to talk to your university tutor/advisor to identify
who your internal university supervisor for the research project will be. You
will then be sent a dissertation assessment form that will need to be signed
by your university supervisor. Upon receiving this form and the draft research
proposal, the dissertation support staff, senior dissertation advisor and academic
(who will be providing your specialist supervision in the field) will contact you
with comments on the draft and the practicalities of completing the proposed
Final proposals must be completed before 1 April. If this deadline is missed
Operation Wallacea has the right to refuse you the opportunity to complete a
dissertation or thesis on site. Having agreed your project plan you will then need to complete a risk
assessment for the project. Risk assessments for all generic activities carried
out by Operation Wallacea can be obtained from the Opwall website
www.opwall.com so that you can complete this task for your specific project.
This risk assessment should also be submitted to your university before
departing for the project.
What will I be expected to do on site?
Ensure that you give completion of your dissertation or thesis the highest
priority. You will be staying in some of the most beautiful parts of the world
and it is important that you don’t get distracted. It is best to work hard early on
in your stay, complete your research and then if there is spare time at the end,
relax. As a minimum you will need to spend 4 weeks collecting data or 6 weeks
if it is for a Masters. As skills and safety training will take 1–2 weeks, you will
need to stay for 6 weeks although 8 weeks would be better and is essential
for a Masters project. You should enter data, analyse results and start drafting
sections of your dissertation or independent research report during your stay.
Usually when you start writing you realise that there is additional information
that you need to collect and it is typically not possible to gather this information
once you have left site. You will be asked to give a short oral seminar to other
students and staff about your research at the end of your stay and to write a short
report. These are very useful parts of the experience because of the scientific
feedback obtained and the experience of doing them.
What will I be expected to do when I return to university?
We strongly recommend that you finish writing up your dissertation or
independent research report as soon as you can, while it is still fresh in your
mind. If you leave it for a few months it is often very difficult to get back into
the detail of the project. You must send a digital copy of your dissertation or
independent research project to Operation Wallacea as soon as it is completed.
This copy is forwarded to various in-country organisations who are interested
in the results of the work and to publish your report on the Operation Wallacea
website. Please let the dissertation support staff know your dissertation mark.
Remember that you are part of a wider project and your results are needed!
MASTERS BY RESEARCH
You will be based in one of the Opwall field sites and have all
your food, accommodation, transport, guides, diving costs
etc. included in your costs. Doing a field based Masters has
the massive advantage that your CV (resumé) is considerably
strengthened by having completed a research project based
in an overseas location as well as having made valuable
friendships and contacts in the wildlife conservation world.
For details (including costs) of Masters by Research projects
offered in South Africa (Oxford Brookes University), Peru (Kent
University), Indonesia marine (Essex University) and Ecuador
(Sussex University) email: [email protected]. Each of
these sites has a portfolio of background papers, datasets
and research questions that have been developed by the
Opwall academic teams and the reserve managers.
Every student who has
completed their dissertation
in Calakmul, Mexico has
been awarded a First
6
7
Benefits to Academics
Research for Visiting Academics
Operation Wallacea operates a visiting academic programme for academics
interested in using our sites to conduct their own research. The visiting
academic programme runs from the start of the survey season to 31 July each
summer and is available at all of the sites. Academics participating in this
programme will be designing a long term research programme which can be
carried out by the academic themselves, postdoc students or eventually turned
into a part-funded PhD. The programme is intended to let the academic come
to the research site or sites for a short period to observe the area and facilities
available, meet with the other participating scientists and design a research
project for future years.
The visiting academic programme costs US$500 a week, with flights not
included. This cost covers all food, accommodation and transport from the start
point of each expedition within the country, use of equipment, vehicles, boats
etc. including medical and evacuation insurance.
PhD Studentships
Operation Wallacea has already supported or is currently supporting by provision
of part studentships more than 60 PhD students.
PhD Student Field Research Grants
Operation Wallacea runs a yearly grant programme for PhD students. The
grants are available to PhD students registered at an academic institution. It is
intended to allow these students to come to our sites and conduct their own
research projects for 4 to 8 weeks each summer for multiple years if required.
The research project must fit within the themed research programme for the site,
allow for participation by Operation Wallacea volunteers and be between June
and August each year.
I have been a research assistant for two
years with Operation Wallacea. My second
experience was just as amazing as the first
time. The knowledge and experiences are
wonderful and locals taught me so much.
Kayla Bergal,
Grand Valley State University
“
“
Co-funded PhD positions Operation Wallacea is willing, if the PhD is of major research interest to the site,
to co-fund PhD grant applications to large funding bodies such as research
councils, in particular acting as the industrial partner in CASE grants. The
academic applying for the grant will be the principal supervisor for the PhD
position and Operation Wallacea will provide a co-supervisor with experience of
the subject and working at the site.
Class Visits and Field Courses
Operation Wallacea has developed research centres and facilities at 29 sites
around the world. These research centres are used for our expeditions in the
summer months and a few can be open throughout the rest of the year for
independent academic class trips. The structure of the trips is intended to
offer as much flexibility as possible, allowing them to be designed around the
requirements of the class. For example trips can be based at just one site within
a country or move around sampling different habitats, including time in both
forest and marine systems if required. The trips can be run for any length of
time with a simple price structure based on flexibility. All of the sites are set at
a cost of US$800 a week per student, with 10 students covering the cost of a
single academic. Operation Wallacea has developed a number of written courses
with exam material which are used for the training of volunteers joining the
main research programmes. These may be utilised as part of the course being
developed by the academics but the responsibility for developing the academic
course and delivery of the course will be that of the organising academic.
Please contact us if you would like to discuss any of
the research opportunities.
To find out further details about the visiting academic
programme, costings, dates, assistance with booking
your travel or questions about the sites and research
potential please email: [email protected]
Participating Academics
Operation Wallacea works with specialists in
numerous fields from a range of universities and
institutions around the world. In total there are
more than 200 academics involved in the research
programme. A sample of the academics are listed
below that have been involved in recent years in
the field research programmes, contributing to
publications, supervising PhD students who form
part of the programme or are involved in data
analysis or conservation management outputs from
the research.
Conservation Management Scientists
Dr Julian Clifton - University of Western Australia
Tom Avent – Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust, UK
Dr Angela Benson - University of Brighton, UK
Dr Richard Bodmer - University of Kent, UK
Dr Keri Brondo - University of Memphis, USA
Dr Alice Eldridge - University of Sussex, UK
Barry Ferguson, University of East Anglia, UK
Dr Jeri Fox - University of New England, USA
Chris Majors - Operation Wallacea, Indonesia
Dr Ruth Malleson - Social and Economic Consultant, UK
Professor Aubrey Manning - University of Edinburgh, UK
Dr Wanda McCormick - Moulton College, UK
Dr Zhiming Niu - Asian Development Bank, China
Dr Bob Payne - Lakehead University, Canada
Dr Mika Peck - University of Sussex, UK
Dr Richard Phillips - University of Liverpool, UK
Dr Sarah Pilgrim - University of Essex, UK
Dr Edi Purwanto, Tropenbos, Indonesia
Dr Ali Reza - Delta State University, USA
Dr Selina Stead - Newcastle University, UK
Prof Ian Swingland - Operation Wallacea Trust, UK
Dr Chui Ling Tam - Calgary University, Canada
Dr Raquel Thomas - Iwokrama Rainforest Research Centre, Guyana
Helen Tedds - Moulton College, UK
Dr Katharine Vincent - University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa
Roger Wardle - Consultant on agri-environmental schemes, UK
Dr Atiek Widayati - Northumbria University, UK
Dr Tony Whitten - Flora and Fauna International, UK
Dr Graham Wragg - Nambu Conservation Trust,Fiji
Dr Kathy Velander - Napier University, UK
Genetics, Oceanography and Geology Scientists
Dr Kim Hunter - Salisbury University, USA
Sylvie Bardin - University of Ontario institute of Technology, Canada
Dr Stephen Burrows - Clark University, USA
Dr Greg Cowie - University of Edinburgh, UK
Dr Alan Dykes - Kingston University, UK
Dr Leanne Hepburn - University of Essex, UK
Dr Tom Horton - SUNY ESF, USA
Dr Ben Horton - Upenn, USA
Dr Richard Hunter - Salisbury University, USA
Dr John Milsom - University College London, UK
Dr Mark Tibbett - University of West Australia
Dr Cathy Walton - University of Manchester, UK
Dr Moyra Wilson - Curtin University, Australia
Dr Sam Rastrick - University of Southampton
Dr Gerd Winterleitner - Royal Holloway, University of London, UK
Invertebrate (terrestrial and freshwater) specialists
Professor Martin Speight - University of Oxford, UK
Dr George Beccaloni - Natural History Museum London, UK
Dr Sarah Beynon - University of Oxford, UK
Dr Moya Burns, Operation Wallacea, UK
Dr Patricia Chow-Fraser - McMaster University, Canada
Professor James Cook - University of Reading, UK
Michael Geiser - Natural History Museum London, UK
Dr Francis Gilbert - University of Nottingham, UK
Andy Godfrey - Consultant Entomologist, UK
Dr Sammy de Grave - Oxford Natural History Museum, UK
Dr Neal Haddaway - Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Dr Ian Hardy - University of Nottingham, UK
Dr Merlijn Jocque - University of Leuven, Belgium
Dr Mary Kelly-Quinn - University College Dublin, Ireland
Dr Stuart Longhorn - NUI Maynooth, Ireland
Dr Kenneth McCravy - Western Illinois University, USA
Dr Olivia Norfolk- University of Nottingham, UK
Dr José Nuñez-Mino - Bat Conservation Trust, UK
Dr Paul O’Callaghan - University College Dublin, Ireland
Dr Mary Kelly-Quinn - University College Dublin, Ireland
Dr Graham Rotheray - National Museum of Scotland, UK
Dr Simon Segar - University of Reading, UK
Dr Jo-Anne Sewlal - University of the West Indies
Dr Sergiu Torok - Babes-Bolyai University, Romania
Dr Roy Wiles - University of Glamorgan, UK
Dr Keith Willmott - Florida Museum of Natural History, USA
Ornithologists Dr Tom Martin - University of Hull, UK
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Dr Jake Bicknell - DICE, University of Kent, UK
Dr Alan Blackburn - University of Lancaster, UK
Dr Robin Brace - University of Nottingham, UK
Dr Jedediah Brodie, University of British Columbia, Canada
Dr Simon Butler - University of Reading, UK
Dr Bruce Byers - Umass Amherst, USA
Dr Hannah Clarke - University of Dundee, UK
Dr Nico Dauphine - University of Georgia, Athens, USA
Dr Nicola Goodship - Wetlands and Wildfowl Trust, UK
Dr Claus Holzapfel, Rutgers, Newark College of Arts and Sciences, USA
Dr Martin Jones - Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
Dr Dave Kelly - Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Paul Leafe - Montgomeryshire County Recorder, UK
Dr Nicola Marples - Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Martin Meads - Sparsholt College, UK
Mark Miller - James Cook University, Australia
Dr Brian O’Shea - North Carolina Natural History Museum, USA
Dr Joel Prashant Jack - Environmental Protection Institute, India
Fabiola Rodriguez Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Honduras
Dr Eimear Rooney, Queens University Belfast, UK
Wael M Shohdi , Al-Azhar University, Egypt
Cindy Stacier - Dalhousie University, Canada
Matthew White - RSPB, UK
Dr Nurul Winarni - World Conservation Society, Indonesia
Dr Rueven Yosef - Arava Institute for Environmental Studies, Israel
Herpetologists
Dr Steve Green - Operation Wallacea, UK
Dr Scott Boback - Dickinson College, USA
Dr Jeff Burkhart - University of La Verne, USA
Tim Colston, University of Mississippi, USA
Dr Jacqualyn Eales - University of Bangor, UK
Julius Frazier - California Polytechnic State University, USA
Dr Graeme Gillespie - University of Melbourne, Australia
Monique Holting - Senckenberg Museum, Frankfurt, Germany
Jon Kolby - James Cook University, Australia
Dr Bjorn Lardner - USGS, Guam
Dr Chad Montgomery - Truman State University, USA
Professor Randall Morrison - McDaniel University, USA
Dr Eridani Mulder - Central Queensland University, Australia
Jose Nobrega – Universidad de Aveiro, Portugal
Dr Silviu Petrovan - University of Hull, UK
Dr Bob Reed - USGS, Guam
Stephen Roussos - Texas Tech University, USA
Mariano Suarez - Centro Ecologico Akumal, Mexico
Botany, Plant Sciences and Forestry Specialists
Dr Bruce Carlisle - Northumbria University, UK
Dr Harison Andriambelo - Antananarivo University, Madagascar
Dr Gareth Bruce - Glamorgan University, UK
Dr Lu Cai - Beijing Forestry University, China
Dr Jon Cocking - JCA Ltd, UK
Dr Anke Dietzsche - Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Professor Lei Guangchun - Bejing Forestry University, China
Dr Daniel Kelly - Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Dr Grace O’Donovan - Independent ecology consultant, UK
Dr Pascale Poussart - Princeton University, USA
Dr Andrew Powling - University of Portsmouth, UK
Dr Andrew Smith - University of Oxford, UK
Dr Sarah Taylor - University of Keele, UK
Dr Peter Thomas - University of Keele, UK
Dr Raquel Thomas – Iwokrama Rainforest Research Centre, Guyana
Dr Clay Trauernicht - University of Hawaii, USA
Caroline Whitefoord - Natural History Museum, UK
Dr Samy Zalat - Nature and Science Foundation for Egypt, Egypt
Marine Scientists
Professor Dave Smith - University of Essex, UK
Dr Gabby Ahmadia - World Wildlife Fund, USA
Prof Jorge Angulo Valdes - University of Havana, Cuba
Dr Arthur Anker - Muséum National, Paris, France
Dr Dan Bailey – University of Cambridge, UK
Dr Richard Barnes - University of Cambridge, UK
Professor James Bell - Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand
Dr Wayne Bennett - University of West Florida, USA
Dr Paul Bologna - Montclair State University, USA
Dr Heidi Burdett - St Andrews University, UK
Dr Isabelle Cote - Simon Fraser University, Canada
Professor James Crabbe - University of Bedfordshire, UK
Dr Simon Cragg - Portsmouth University, UK
Dr Leanne Cullen - Cardiff University, UK
Dr Jocelyn Curtis-Quick - Cape Eleuthera Institute, Bahamas
Dr Caine Delacy - University of Western Australia, Australia
Dr John Eme - University of North Texas, USA
Dr Dan Exton - Operation Wallacea, UK
Dr Teresa Fernandes - Heriot Watt University UK
Dr Andy Gill - Cranfield Institute, UK
Dr Ben Green - Environment Agency, UK
Dr Emma Hayhurst - University of Glamorgan, UK
Dr Ian Hendy - University of Portsmouth, UK
Dr Sebastian Hennige - Heriot Watt University, UK
Dr Jess Jaxion Harm - University of Vienna, Austria
Dr Magnus Johnson - University of Hull, UK
Dr Tim Johnson - University of Glamorgan, UK
Dr Jamal Jompa - COREMAP, Indonesia
Dr James McDonald - Rutgers University, USA
Dr Steve McMellor - University of Aberdeen, UK
Anastasia Miliou - Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, Greece
Dr Ed Morgan - University of Glamorgan, UK
Huma Pearce - Independent bat consultant
Dr Clare Peddie - University of St Andrews, UK
Dr Alan Pinder - Dalhousie University, Canada
Dr Johanna Polsenberg - US House of Representatives, USA
Dr Niamh Quinn - University of Galway, Ireland
Dr Dai Roberts - Queens University Belfast, UK
Professor Alex Rogers - University of Oxford, UK
Dr Pelayo Salinas de Leon - Charles Darwin Foundation, Galapagos, Ecuador
Dr James Saunders - St Andrews University, UK
Dr Patric Scaps - University of Perpignon, France
Dr Jon Shrives - Jersey State Fisheries Department, UK
Dr Edd Stockdale - University of Western Australia, Australia
Dr Dave Suggett - University of Technology, Sydney, Australia
Prof Chris Todd - University of St Andrews, UK
Dr Richard Unsworth - Swansea University, UK
Dr Nerida Wilson - Western Australia Museum, Australia
Dr Kyle Young - Universidad de los Lagos, Chile
Mammal Specialists
Dr Kathy Slater - Operation Wallacea, Mexico
Dr Kirsten Bohn - Florida International University, USA
Dr Mark Bowler - St Andrews University, USA
Professor Mike Bruford - University of Cardiff, USA
Jill Carpenter - Independent bat consultant, UK
Dr Ruth Cox - University of Prince Edward Island, Canada
Dr Hannah Clarke - University of Dundee, UK
Dr Christian Dietz - University of Tuebingen, Germany
Dr Nigel Dunstone - Natural History New Zealand
Dr Jonathan Flanders – University of Bristol
Dr Ivar Fleur, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
Dr Sharon Gursky-Doyen - SUNY Stony Brook, USA
Matthew Hallett - University of Mississipi, USA
Dr Abdul Haris Mustari - IPB, Bogor, Indonesia
Dr Justin Hines - Operation Wallacea, Canada
Andrew Jennings - IUCN/SSC Small Carnivore Specialist Group, UK
Jim Jones - Surrey Wildlife Trust, UK
Dr Tigga Kingston - Texas Tech University, USA
Juliet Leadbeater - University of Chester, UK
Dr Burton Lim - Royal Ontario Museum, Canada
Professor Aubrey Manning - University of Edinburgh, UK
Professor Suzanne MacDonald, York University, Canada
Dr Niall McCann - University of Cardiff, UK
Dr Rob Pickles - Panthera, USA
Dr Abigail Phillips - University of Birmingham, UK
Amy Porter, University of California, USA
Dr Nancy Priston - Oxford Brookes University, UK
Professor Ute Radespiel - Hannover Unversity, Germany
Dr Felix Rakotondraparany - Antananarivo University, Madagascar
Dr Osvaldo Eric Ramires-Bravo - Universidad de America, Puebla, Mexico
Dr Neil Reid - Queens University Belfast, UK
Dario Rivera - University of Queensland, Australia
Dr Steve Rossiter - Queen Mary University of London, UK
Dr Adrian Seymour - Independent wildlife film maker, UK
Dr Myron Shekelle - National University of Singapore, Singapore
Dr Andrew Smith - Anglia Ruskin University, UK
Dr Kym Snarr - University of Toronto, Canada
Dr Peter Taylor - University of KwaZulu Natal, South Africa
Professor Stewart Thompson - Oxford Brookes University, UK
Dr David Tosh - Queens University Belfast, UK
Jeremy Truscott - Sheffield Biodiversity Steering Group, UK
Ivar Vleut - UNAM, Mexico
Dr Phil Wheeler - University of Hull, UK
Dr C.B Wood - Providence College, USA
Dr Anne Zeller - University of Waterloo, Canada
Heike Zitzer - Pongola Elephant Reserve, South Africa
Fisheries Scientists Dr Dave Bird - University of Western England, UK
Irven Forbes - Environment Agency, UK
Dr Emmanuel Frimpong - Virginia Polytechnic, USA
Professor Tim Gray - Newcastle University, UK
Dr Peter Henderson - University of Oxford, UK
Piotr Kalinowski - Fisheries consultant, UK
Dr Duncan May - Fisheries consultant, UK
Joel Rice - Fisheries consultant, USA
Dr Rodney Rountree - University of Connecticut, USA
Professor Michael Stewart - Troy University, USA
Professor George Turner, Bangor University, UK
Dr Jason Vokoun - University of Connecticut, USA
Paul Simonin - Cornell University, USA
GIS and Statistical Analysis
Dr Peter Long - University of Oxford, UK
Joe Bailey, University of Nottingham, UK
Dr Craig Beech - Peace Parks Foundation, South Africa
Jesse Blits - University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
Oliver Burdekin - BurdGIS, London, UK
Dr Natalie Cooper - Harvard University, USA
Dr Bella Davies - Oxford Brookes University, UK
Dr Richard Field - University of Nottingham, UK
Dr Fiona Hemsley Flint - University of Edinburgh, UK
Dr Alan Jones - University of Sheffield, UK
Dr Marco Lusquinos - Imperial College London, UK
Cristi Malos - Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj, Romania
Dr Gareth Mann - Rhodes University, South Africa
Dr Lisa Manne - CUNY, USA
Dr Peter Randerson - Cardiff University, UK
Dr Eimear Rooney - Queens University Belfast, UK
Dr Allister Smith - Oxford Brookes University, UK
Dr Emily Woollen - University of Edinburgh, UK
Professor Kathy Willis - University of Oxford, UK
9
Diving ✔ Forest ✔
Expedition length
2,4,6 & 8 week options
Research Assistant options 5 set expeditions
Forest dissertation options5
Marine dissertation options14
Key facts l In the centre of the Coral Triangle –
The world’s most biodiverse reefs
l Over US$ 2 million levered for conservation
management projects to date
l 21 vertebrate species new to science discovered
l Most published research site in the
Coral Triangle
Forest research objectives
The islands of the central part of the Indonesian archipelago are separated to
the east (Papua) and the west (Borneo) by deep ocean channels. These deep
trenches prevented the central islands of Indonesia from being joined to the
main continental land masses during the lowered sea levels of the Ice Ages.
As a result of the long period of isolation, a large number of unique species
evolved. The whole region is now known as the Wallacea region after the famous
Victorian naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, as it was he who first described the
unique fauna. The forests of the Wallacea region are one of the least biologically
studied areas in the world and one of the most likely places to discover
vertebrate species new to science.
Operation Wallacea first started surveying the forests of Buton Island in SE
Sulawesi in 1995. In 2004 these surveys resulted in a US$ 1 million World
Bank/GEF grant being obtained to establish an example of best practice
conservation management for a lowland forest. This project worked only in the
central part of the island and finished in 2008. An assessment of the various
quantifiable conservation targets showed that 90%+ of the targets had been
10
“
“
Life-changing experience, I’ve learnt more
in 4 weeks than I ever thought I could.
Sophie Thomas, University of Sheffield
Marine research objectives
There is a triangle of reefs in eastern Indonesia, part of which lies within the
Wallacea region, that have the highest diversity of hard coral genera, the proxy
commonly used to assess overall diversity, of coral reefs anywhere in the world.
Both the marine research stations being used by the Opwall teams are in the
centre of this triangle.
The South Buton Marine Research Centre has established a series of standard
monitoring sites on reefs south of Bau Bau and on adjacent islands. These are
being monitored annually and it is hoped to use the data to demonstrate that a
number of the reefs in this area are of equal or even higher conservation value
than those within the Wakatobi Biosphere Reserve.
The Hoga Island Marine Research Station is located in the heart of the Wakatobi
National Park. Over the last 20 years a series of scientists have been based at
this site during the Opwall survey seasons and have built up the publications
emanating from the site to a level which is unsurpassed by any other marine
research site in the Coral Triangle. These data and publications have been used
to promote the biodiversity value of the Wakatobi, raise its profile internationally
and in particular enable it to be designated as a biosphere reserve. For the
last 12 years a series of constant monitoring sites around Hoga and eastern
Kaledupa have been monitored for fish communities, coral cover and community
structure, and macroinvertebrates. In addition, annual fisheries monitoring is
being completed to assess changes in the fisheries, particularly as some of the
management initiatives developed by Opwall (e.g. buy outs of fishing licences
and carrageenan extraction) begin to hopefully have an impact.
Facilities
Forest
Marine
IL
Labundo
IR
Rapid assessment team
The first part of the week will be based in the village of Labundo with
basic lecture facilities. Students stay in local houses with shared
Indonesian style bathrooms (known as mandis) with squat toilets. For
the second part of the week teams stay in temporary forest camps
sleeping in hammocks using trench/field style toilets.
Similar accommodation as IN with students assisting in setting up
various camps, much more basic infrastructure and smaller teams.
IN
Node camp
IK
Kabaena mobile research team
IH
Hoga
IS
South Buton
IB
Hoga/South Buton
Accommodation is in hammocks and there are trench toilets. This is a
scenic camp next to a waterfall and washing is in the river.
Accommodation will vary greatly from homestays to mobile camps with
basic jungle facilities.
Students stay in traditionally-built wooden houses,
complete with their own mandis. The main building
contains a large, open-air study area, a computer
laboratory, email, library facilities, eating area, wet
and dry lab facilities and a lecture theatre. There is
a fully operational dive centre.
Accommodation is in shared rooms with their own
bathroom facilities including western style toilets
and showers. There is a large eating and meeting
area, lab facilities for analysis of the video data,
email facilities, lecture area and a fully equipped
dive centre.
Projects combining research at Hoga & S Buton.
Malaysia
Malaysia
Equator
Equator
Sumatra
Kalimantan
Sulawesi
Buton
Jakarta
Java
INDONESIA
Makassar
Wallacea Region
“
An unforgettable experience with great
staff, scientists and culture in one of the
most beautiful places in the world.
Jonathan Cheng, Eckerd College
“
Indonesiaoverview
achieved and in many cases significantly exceeded. Since that point, Opwall has
continued with monitoring the abundance and diversity of key taxa in both the
central and northern forests of Buton Island. All the Opwall-gathered data on the
northern and central forests of Buton is being submitted to support a REDD+
application to protect the carbon and biodiversity of the Buton forests and
ensure that local communities have a financial benefit from this conservation
programme. In 2016 teams will be completing surveys on the transect network
at a series of camps spread across central and northern Buton.
Indonesia
11
Indonesia Research Assistant Options
Below is a brief outline of all options available to students. For specific course and project information
please contact us or visit www.opwall.com
Set expedition length: 4 weeks
22 June
IL IR IR IR
29 June
IL IN IH IH
Spending the first week completing jungle training (IL001).
Following three weeks spent in NW Buton assisting with
rapid biodiversity surveys (IR101).
Jungle training in the first week (IL001), second week spent
assisting with biodiversity surveys (IN102). The third week is
spent on Hoga Island learning to dive and taking the reef survey
course, if already a qualified diver the final week can be spent
on the research projects available.
Add marine weeks:
+ 2 weeks or + 4 weeks
Add extra marine weeks:
+ 2 weeks
Expedition 1
Expedition 3
22 June
IL IS IH IH
For some students the temptation of the forest is too much
to miss but one week is more than enough, so on this
expedition you can visit the forest and both the marine sites.
Week one is spent jungle training, the second week dive
training or survey techniques at IS then the final two weeks
on Hoga IH assisting with research projects and completing
survey techniques if not already done so.
Expedition 3
Marine training courses
IH002/IS003 PADI Open Water - This course involves
a combination of theory lessons, confined water dives and
open water dives to gain an official scuba diving qualification.
This course must be completed if not already dive trained and
wanting to dive on the project.
Additional dive training - available from PADI Advanced
onwards, for full details please contact us or visit
www.opwall.com
IH004 - On Hoga you are able to train to PADI Divemaster
level, this takes 4 weeks. You have to be a PADI Rescue diver
and have at least 60 logged dives.
IH005/IS007 Reef survey techniques,
IH006/IS008 Reef survey techniques,
Expedition 2
Expedition 4
Expedition 5
22 June
6 July
IS IS IH IH
These expeditions involve spending two weeks at the South
Buton Marine Research Centre and then two weeks at the Hoga
Island Marine Research Centre. Options include dive training,
survey techniques and research projects.
+ 2 weeks or + 4 weeks*
* not available for expedition 5
+ 2 weeks or + 4 weeks
IH
IH
&
&
IS
IS
diving
snorkelling
IH009 - Wakatobi culture, community and environment.
This course offers any student a fantastic and unique insight
into rural Indonesian life. It takes a week to complete the
course and is only running in expedition weeks 5 & 7.
12
Expedition 2
Expedition 4
Expedition 5
Forest research options
Rapid biodiversity assessment team in northwest Buton IR101
The forests and mountains of northwest Buton are the last unexplored
area of the island. Access to these forests is very difficult – hence why
this area has been unsurveyed to date and also why they may yield some
exciting results. A small team of guides, field biologists and volunteers
will be trekking in to set up temporary camps, surveying for reptiles
and conducting spotlight surveys at night for amphibians. There will be
megafauna (large mammals and game birds), and bird surveys and also
treks to as many of the habitat types as possible within the survey area
of each camp. There are limited places on this option since the survey
teams have to be kept small and mobile. On this project the volunteers
will need to help with setting up and running temporary camps as well as
cutting transects.
Node camp biodiversity monitoring team IN102 In the forest camps
on Buton Island there are a series of transects and sample sites that have
been used over a number of years to gather data on key taxa. Combining
this with the geographic data gained from the rapid biodiversity teams
enables a complete picture of biodiversity within the forests of SE
Sulawesi to be compiled. Surveys at each site include quantifying the
forest structure, completing bird point count surveys, participating in
pitfall trapping for reptiles and spotlight surveys for amphibians. Also,
pollard counts for the butterflies and long trek surveys for the distance
and patch occupancy analysis of large mammal abundance will be
undertaken. Camera traps have also been set at some of these sites and
these often reveal cryptic species that are not picked up on transects. In
addition, harp traps and/or mist nets are run in the evenings to quantify
bat communities.
Marine only expeditions based in the Wakatobi Marine
National Park can be organised for 2, 4, 6 or 8 weeks,
starting on any of the dates offered.
marine only expedition
Forest training courses
IL001 - Jungle training: Series of lectures and practicals of
how to survey and survive in the jungle
Canopy Access - Optional training course for those wanting
to ascend into the canopy. (US$165)
Travel information
You need to book your international flights to arrive at
Makassar/Ujung Pandang Airport (Sultan Hasanuddin
International) on the Tuesday before your expedition
begins, and to depart after 1800hrs on the Tuesday
that your expedition ends.
Marine research options
Reef survey monitoring team IH103/IS104 Students must pass the
relevant parts of the reef survey techniques course (e.g. stereo video, line
intercept video or macro-invertebrate belt transect) in order to help the
biologists leading each of these surveys. It is better if you can specialise
in one of the survey types so that you can gain a good working knowledge
of the survey techniques and species and can make a contribution to the
surveys rather than just learning from the biologist.
Research assistant pool IH105 There are many different marine and
conservation projects running on Hoga Island including dive-based
projects, snorkelling projects, shallow sub-tidal projects, intertidal
projects, and research projects focused within the mangrove forests. You
will be introduced to the range of projects that are underway and allocated
to a marine biologist to match your specific or general interest. Joining
the research assistant pool maximises your opportunities to widen your
knowledge of marine biology whilst also allowing you to increase your
specialist knowledge in specific areas.
Just marine?
“
I would recommend Opwall to any
science student wanting to gain
first-hand field experience and meet
some amazing people.
Megan Forbes-Roe,
Trinity College Dublin
“
Expedition 1
Details of Projects and Expeditions
Fisheries surveys of Kaledupa Island IH106 There are existing
data sets on catches per unit effort for fishing techniques such as fish
fences, bubu traps and gill nets used around Kaledupa going back over
10 years. These data together with analysis of the size composition of
the catch-per-unit revealed that the reefs were being heavily overfished.
This led to the development of a fisheries registration scheme and the
concept of buying out some of the fishing effort to allow the fishery to
recover. The buy outs have not yet started and are linked to development
of a carrageenan extraction plant where fishers will be offered shares in
exchange for surrendering their fishing licences. Data gathered in 2016
should reveal the state of the fishery prior to any buy outs beginning.
This project will involve boat trips to surrounding islands and villages
including sea gypsy villages and gives you the opportunity to learn how
Indonesian coastal communities function.
Indonesia
13
Dissertation topics based in the Buton forest node camps are labelled IN .
Those that are part of a mobile Kabaena and mainland team are labelled IK .
IN IN200 Anoa, wild pig and ground bird density in the forests of North
Buton (start date 22 June; need to have completed IL001)
From August 2015, a series of camera traps are being run across different
locations in the forests of North Buton. During the Opwall survey season the
cameras will be positioned for a 2 month period in the remote and mountainous
northwest corner of the island, which is virtually unexplored. This camera trap
data will be available for analysis by students wishing to complete a dissertation
on the estimation of the occurrence and local abundance of the Sulawesi
endemic dwarf buffalo, the Anoa, as well as the relative abundance of other
medium or large sized mammals encountered in the forests (wild pig, civets,
feral cattle, macaques). One of the side effects of these cameras is that they also
record ground bird species and in the initial trials, two species (blue-faced rail
and elegant pitta) not previously recorded from the island were photographed.
In addition to the camera trapping data, the data from transect studies, using
distance estimates for any animals (notably macaques) or indicator bird
species (e.g. hornbills), completed at each of the Opwall camps across the
island would be available. Data on animal tracks or droppings from these same
transect surveys which could be used for patch occupancy analysis would
also be available. Dissertations could be developed to make estimates of the
population size of the large mammal species, which would be a useful addition
to a proposed REDD+ application for the island, or to look at how the different
approaches (camera trapping, distance surveys or patch occupancy analysis of
animal signs) compare for estimating large mammal populations.
IK IK201 An investigation of song and call variation in physically and
genetically diverse island bird populations (start date 22 June)
While morphological and genetic variation allow us to readily distinguish
between different bird populations, differences in wing length or bill shape
may not be salient cues for the birds themselves. It is likely that plumage
and song are more important cues for birds making decisions about other
individuals being of the same or a different population. Songs (and other
vocalisations) are especially important cues, as they can be detected at much
greater distances than plumage. This project aims to catalogue differences in
the song of neighbouring island bird populations where morphological and/
or genetic differences have already been documented. While we anticipate that
populations that show greater morphological differences are likely to have more
obvious differences in their vocalisations, such a relationship has yet to be firmly
established. Several features of song (e.g. phrase length, syllable composition,
highest frequency, lowest frequency) from target bird species (e.g. sunbirds,
flowerpeckers, white-eyes, flycatchers, kingfishers and orioles) at different sites
will be compared. It is likely that certain morphological characters (e.g. bill
length) may predict differences in song more accurately than others (e.g. tarsus
length). Using generalised linear models with morphological data gathered over
15 years, it will be possible to test this idea. Similarly, it will be possible to
investigate whether larger morphological (or genetic) differences predict larger
differences in song. The discovery of causal links between morphology and song
will offer further information about the process of differentiation in island bird
communities.
“
Overall experience was excellent and one
that I would highly recommend to anyone
carrying out their dissertation.
Sorcha Shanley, Trinity College Dublin
IK IK202 Variation in resource preferences of bird species within a
small passerine guild across habitats within and between SE Sulawesi
islands (start date 22 June)
While complex environments (e.g. rainforests) offer a wide variety of resources,
less complex habitats (e.g. agricultural areas) offer fewer alternatives. If
biodiversity is maintained in simpler habitats it is likely that specialist feeders
will need to generalise. Simpler habitats are likely to generate an increase in
competition for a reduced variety of resources. Such competition may lead
to resource partitioning. This project aims to investigate how a guild of small
passerine birds adapt to changes within simpler, agricultural habitats. By
monitoring the availability of fruit, nectar and invertebrate resources in a variety
of habitats with anthropogenic disturbance and the food preferences of birds
within those areas, it will be possible to investigate whether or not the small
passerine study guild (sunbirds, white-eyes, flycatchers and flowerpeckers)
can resolve increases in competitive pressure by partitioning resources. An
analysis of data collected in this project should identify which small passerine
bird species are sensitive to changes in habitat complexity and which are robust.
Such answers will have conservation implications for agricultural practices in
Indonesia.
14
IK IK203 The carrying capacity of different habitats in relation to a
small passerine bird guild within and between SE Sulawesi islands
(start date 22 June)
While different habitats tend to offer different opportunities for the constituent
species of a guild, they are likely to have an effect on the overall biomass of
that guild too. This project will investigate how constituent species from a small
passerine bird guild respond to changes in the adaptation of other guild species
to different habitats and whether such changes affect the overall biomass
(carrying capacity) of the guild in those habitats. Theoretically, the success
of one guild member in a particular habitat is likely to increase its relative
abundance within the guild. However, if carrying capacity (guild biomass)
remains constant across habitats, there must be a reduction in numbers of
other guild members. Conversely, if carrying capacity varies across habitats,
we are interested to know whether the contribution (relative abundance)
of guild members remains constant, or whether reductions or increases in
carrying capacity favour particular guild members. While the answers to such
questions are likely to have conservation implications for agricultural practices
in Indonesia, they may also provide important information on the likelihood of
successful colonisation of “new” islands by small passerine species.
IK IK204 Diurnal activity cycles of a small passerine bird guild across
SE Sulawesi islands (start date 22 June)
Peaks in song and feeding activity have been reported for bird populations
across the globe. Variation at either end of the day appears to be driven by
energetic constraints and the “body condition” of individual birds, while local
climate (e.g. temperature and rainfall) may dictate activity during the middle of
the day. However, while we know there is variation, we have not documented
the nature of this variation in our study guild of small passerines in Indonesia.
As we assess the absolute and relative densities of our guild members using
transects, it is important to provide evidence that the way in which the transects
are conducted will lead to realistic estimates of the bird species being surveyed.
This project will focus on two key periods of the day; early morning and late
afternoon/evening. Identical transects will be conducted at both times of
day. Relative and absolute estimates of the population density of study guild
members, as well as an absolute estimate of the entire study guild biomass and
a biodiversity index for the study guild will be made for both transects. All values
will be compared to assess how morning and evening estimates vary. It is hoped
that this project will offer a validation of the current survey technique, while
adding additional behavioural information for species within the study guild.
“
Indonesian terrestrial dissertations
Indonesia dissertations
15
Indonesian marine dissertations
Marine dissertations based at the Hoga Island are labelled IH . Those based at
the South Buton Marine Research Centre are labelled IS . If you are collecting
data from both research centres then the IB code is used.
IH IH205 Competition within and between the dominant coral reef
benthic taxa (start dates 22 or 29 June or 06 July; need to have completed
reef survey techniques course and be dive trained if incorporating a diving
element into the research)
Coral reefs around the world are in a rapid state of decline and the loss of reef
building corals has been reported pan-globally. Reef building corals are the key
ecosystem architects and produce a physical complexity that provides habitat
for the many different species. Loss of structural complexity will have dire
consequences for reef biodiversity and productivity. Maintenance, growth and
recovery of reefs depends on the ability of reef building corals to recruit into
the system, become successfully established and grow to provide complexity.
However this process of growth and recovery seems to be significantly affected
by competition between the reef building corals and other benthic life-forms
such as soft corals, sponges, algae and colonial tunicates. These life-forms
produce very little physical complexity and do not support high species
richness. It is vitally important that research is conducted into competitive
interactions between benthic life-forms across habitats and environmental
gradients (e.g. increased sedimentation, lower light availability). Research could
also evaluate how biodiversity may be affected by changes to dominant benthic
life-forms.
IS IS206 The biodiversity and productivity of coral reefs of Bau Bau
(start dates 22 or 29 June; need to have completed reef survey techniques
course and be dive trained)
Coral reefs support a vast array of species and provide food or income for
10% of the world. However, tropical reefs are greatly threatened by numerous
anthropogenic stressors, most notably overexploitation, changes in water and
habitat quality and environmental change (ENSO and climate change). There has
been very limited research on the coral reefs around Bau Bau but preliminary
data suggest that the reefs hold exceptional biodiversity as well as an abundance
of apex predators (e.g. reef sharks and cetaceans). There is an urgent need
to carry out wide scale exploration of Bau Bau reefs to determine reef health,
biodiversity and productivity. Research should also aim to identify any factors
that are impacting these reefs and how these vary across the study area.
Information concerning the conservation value of the area is needed along with a
complete understanding of threats so that a case can be made to the authorities,
for the region to be given protected status. In order to gain a full understanding
of the ecology, biodiversity and status of reefs of the region a large number
of sites will need to be surveyed. Researchers will therefore join the existing
monitoring teams and have access to sites around all of the adjacent islands.
16
IB IB207 The diversity, distribution and abundance of nudibranchs in
Indonesia (start dates 22 or 29 June or 06 July; need to have completed
reef survey techniques course and be dive trained)
Molluscs are the most diverse group of animals on coral reefs, comprising up
to 60% of all marine invertebrate species. Nudibranchs are one of the most
familiar groups within the phylum but ecological knowledge of these charismatic
species concerning their diversity, abundance and distribution is very limited
and thus their population status is largely unknown. Unfortunately within the
Wakatobi Marine National Park, early expeditions (before Operation Wallacea)
removed many specimens for museum collections and local populations have
been recovering ever since. No such collections have ever been undertaken in
reefs surrounding Bau Bau. Researchers could examine distribution patterns
of nudibranchs within the two regions and relate abundance and diversity to
other metrics of reef health. Once normalised to background reef quality the
implications of historical collections can be evaluated. Researchers will have the
opportunity to join monitoring teams within and outside of the WMNP, visit many
different reef systems and habitats, and gain a better understanding of the local
and wide scale distribution patterns of these enigmatic taxa.
IH IH208 The ecology of anemonefish in Indonesia (start dates 22 or 29
June or 6 July; need to have completed reef survey techniques course and
be dive trained if incorporating a diving element into the research)
One of the more conspicuous groups of coral reef fish are anemonefish that live
within anemone hosts. This mutualistic relationship has been well documented
but new patterns in fish-host interactions are emerging and investigations within
the Wakatobi suggest that coexistence between different species of anemonefish
within a single host is more common than in other areas of the world where
reef diversity is lower. Cohabitation may be a consequence of, or driver of,
high biodiversity and we aim to gain a deeper understanding of the interactions
between host and fish species generally and between cohabitating species in
particular. The limited observations to date suggest that within a single anemone
cohabiting fish may partition their host “resource” by residing in different parts
of the anemone thereby reducing competition. Whether there is any cost or
benefit to the host when housing two rather than one fish species is yet to be
determined. Thus there is much to do, and research could include studies that
focus on the relationship between anemonefish and hosts across environmental
gradients or could include detailed investigations in to the frequency of
cohabitation across habitats or could examine the potential costs or benefits of
cohabitation for both dominant and subordinate fish species.
IH IH209 The behaviour and functional role of reef fish cleaners in
reef survey techniques course and be dive trained if incorporating a diving
element into the research)
Cleaner fish play an important role on coral reefs around the world. Recent
studies have shown that the health of reef fish and the biodiversity of reef
systems increase when cleaners are abundant. The Wakatobi Marine National
Park is unusual in that three species of cleaner wrasse are present on its reefs.
The most abundant and most successful is the bluestreak cleaner wrasse
(Labroides dimidiatus), which has been fairly well-studied. Much less research
effort has focused on the ecology of the other two cleaner wrasse species; the
blackspot cleaner wrasse (Labroides pectoralis) and the bicolor cleaner wrasse
(Labroides bicolor). Another species, this time a fangblenny, mimics the most
dominant cleaner species L. dimidiatus in colouration patterns and morphology
but rather than providing an important ecological service, it attacks and bites
clients waiting at cleaner stations. A number of hypotheses could be put forward
to study the success of this extreme behaviour to determine if the behaviour is
controlled by the abundance of cleaners, the “value” of clients or a combination
of both. Research could also focus on investigating niche differentiation through
resource partitioning amongst cleaner species, the value of different clients to
cleaners or could be based around the complexities of cleaning behaviour and
advertising strategies. With such high biodiversity, varying habitat qualities and
an abundant client pool, the Wakatobi represents the perfect place to increase
global knowledge concerning the intricacies of cleaning behaviour and the role it
plays on reef environments.
IH IH210 The ecology and biology of shallow subtidal patch reefs in
reef survey techniques course)
How stable are reef communities over time, what changes are occurring and
over what time scales? What are the responses of fish communities to changes
in benthic cover? How do reef building corals that are sensitive to environmental
change survive in these extreme and often marginal environments? These are
some of the questions that we may gain answers to by investigating shallow
subtidal patch reefs. Small patch reefs, sometimes referred to as bommies,
provide an ideal experimental system to investigate the role of transient versus
resident species within reef systems due to the dynamic nature of their ecology.
Coral patch reef situated in lagoonal areas backward of the main reefs may
also facilitate the daily migration of reef fish to other coastal habitats such as
seagrass and mangrove forest. Consequently, and apart from being an ideal
model system to investigate the drivers of reef biodiversity, these patch reefs
are of major ecological importance. Recently there has been much interest in
shallow subtidal patch reefs as prevailing environmental conditions are often
highly variable and for some organisms, such as reef building corals, could be
considered extreme. Several projects could be developed in this field to assess
the ecology and functional roles of patch reefs, and also to identify the key
environmental and biological drivers of patch reef biodiversity. This research is
becoming increasingly more important as such patch reefs are often targeted
for coral mining activities and are therefore at a real threat from human induced
degradation.
17
IB IB212 The ecology and environmental impact of biological agents
causing coral mortality (start dates 22 or 29 June or 06 July; need to
have completed reef survey techniques course and be dive trained if
incorporating a diving element into the research)
The crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci) are corallivores and voracious
predators of coral reef ecosystems, spending approximately half their lifetime
feeding. Due to the potentially destructive nature of A. planci it is very important
to establish the extent to which the starfish is affecting reefs of Bau Bau. Apart
from A. planci there are a number of other species that are known to impact
coral health. Several species of fish prey on corals (e.g. some butterflyfish and
parrotfish). It is unlikely that such feeding activity will cause coral mortality
directly but there is some evidence to suggest that bite scars can increase coral
disease. Recent studies have examined coral disease within the Wakatobi but
this study has not been repeated in other nearby areas. Therefore research could
focus on a single corallivore such as A. planci, a range of fish species and their
indirect impacts, or could determine the extent to which coral diseases are
impacting the different reefs of both the Wakatobi and Bau Bau. Importantly,
researchers will join the existing monitoring teams at both sites and will have
access to a wide range of habitats surrounding adjacent islands. Data collected
will feed in to an ecological and environmental assessment of Bau Bau coral
reefs and describe the degree of threat of biological agents on reefs within the
national park.
18
IH IH213 The physical and biological structure of coral reef systems
(start dates 22 or 29 June or 06 July; need to have completed reef survey
techniques course and be dive trained if incorporating a diving element into
the research)
Coral reefs are the most biodiverse marine systems which is largely due to
the physical complexity of the habitat. Many different taxa add to the complex
structures that characterise reefs but the predominant reef builders are the hard
corals. Hard coral colonies are highly variable in both size and shape. This is in
part a species-specific trait but is also environmentally regulated. Under different
environmental conditions, such as light and exposure, colonies grow in different
shapes and thus the physical complexity of a reef varies greatly. Unfortunately
due to numerous factors such as reduced water quality and high sedimentation
and turbidity, coral reefs around the world are becoming less complex and
generally “flatter”. Numerous studies could be implemented under this topic
to determine how environmental conditions regulate the architecture of coral
colonies, how changing architecture influences associated fish biodiversity and
how changes in fish species influences the functional ecology of reef systems.
We must better understand the consequences of a global reduction in the
physical complexity of reef systems and in particular how biodiversity and fish
biomass will be affected.
IH IH214 Can animals already living at extreme temperatures survive
climate change? (start dates 22 or 29 June)
Fishes and invertebrates living in tidally influenced seagrass or mangrove
habitats experience extreme and often arbitrary shifts in water temperature
as tidal and insolation patterns change over time. Add to this the fact that
some climate models predict an increase of up to 4°C in the western Pacific,
and it becomes clear that some thermally-sensitive species may be at risk
of extirpation. Indeed, previous studies suggest that some intertidal species
are already living at temperatures near their upper thermal limit. It’s likely
therefore that some groups may be extirpated from part or all of their range as
sea surface temperatures increase over the coming decades, whereas others
may be unaffected. The resulting shift in community structure could have far
reaching ecological consequences within seagrass and mangrove habitats but
also within the biologically connected reef systems. Unfortunately, relatively
little is known about the thermal ecology of most intertidal animals or how they
may fare under a more extreme environmental thermal regimen. Quantifying
thermal tolerance limits of important species (e.g. top predators or forage
species) or keystone groups (e.g. damselfish or gobies) is necessary to
assess how well adapted these groups are to changing temperatures. Available
dissertation projects include: 1) quantifying thermal tolerance and temperature
acclimation responses, and 2) investigating feeding, hunting behaviour, and
capture efficiency of cuttlefish. In addition, dissertation students may have the
opportunity to accompany the seagrass monitoring project, and collect field data
that provide important insights into the ecological changes that may occur in
shallow intertidal regions as sea surface temperatures increase.
IH IH215 Thermal induced rapid coral mortality in Indonesia (start dates
22 or 29 June; need to have completed reef survey techniques course and
be dive trained if incorporating a diving element into the research)
Coral reefs are perhaps amongst the most sensitive and important ecosystems
on planet Earth. With threats of global climate change driving sea temperature
rise and ocean acidification, combined with other intensification of
anthropogenic impacts, it is predicted that as many as 1/3⅓ of coral reefs will be
lost over the next 50 years and some species may well become extinct. Some
coral species appear to be more eurythermic than others (i.e. survive over a
wide range of temperatures), and some species appear to be able to withstand
acute thermal stress (e.g. during ENSO events) whilst others appear sensitive
and extremely vulnerable to relatively small increases in seawater temperatures.
There is also increasing evidence to suggest that environmental history (i.e.
the growth environment) may further influence the thermal tolerance of reef
building coral species. However, experimental data are limited and most often
constrained by controlled laboratory settings using aquarium-grown corals that
do not reflect the true environment. Dissertation projects comparing key coral
species could be useful in predicting how temperature extremes may affect
the biological and physical structure of reef systems. Available dissertation
projects include: quantifying tolerance, resistance, and lethal thermal zones for
a selected coral species, and comparing lethal temperatures and survival times
between massive and branching coral types. While the experimental component
of the research is laboratory based, student researchers may also be able to join
the reef monitoring survey team to collect field data to augment their findings.
IH IH216 Metabolic and thermal adaptations of fiddler crabs living in
Indonesian mangal habitats (start dates 22 or 29 June)
The Wakatobi Marine National Park has the highest known biodiversity of fiddler
crabs in the world. The crabs are abundant in muddy intertidal zones where
they can occur at extremely high densities. By reprocessing sediments and
acting as a food source to other mangrove residents, fiddler crabs play a crucial
role in driving nutrient cycling of mangrove forests and adjacent sedimentary
shores. Whereas most ectothermic organisms avoid sudden exposure to high
temperatures, fiddler crabs often emerge during daytime low tide when air
temperatures can exceed 40°C. To date few papers have looked at physiological
responses of fiddler crabs exposed to rapid temperature changes, and none
have evaluated thermal tolerance or acclimation dynamics in this interesting
and functionally important group of crustaceans. Available dissertation projects
include: 1) comparison of temperature tolerances of selected fiddler species
from differing locations in the intertidal zone, and 2) quantify acclimation
responses of a fiddler species following an acute temperature increase. The
results would elucidate factors that may shape distribution and movement
patterns of fiddler crabs from tropical habitats.
IH IH217 Fisheries of the Wakatobi (start dates 22 or 29 June or 06 July;
need to have completed reef survey techniques course)
Coral reef productivity supports essential fisheries but 60% of reefs are
considered to be overexploited. The population of the Wakatobi are highly
dependent on local fisheries and use a range of techniques, the environmental
impacts of which vary greatly. Some techniques appear to be extremely
detrimental to the viability of fringing coral reefs, for example fish fences
located within shallow subtidal environments. These fish fences capitalise on
the migration of fish between mangrove, seagrass and reef habitats and a large
percentage of their catch are juveniles. Bylaws have been established that
regulate the size of fish fences, their density and mesh size, but the extent to
which fishermen are complying with these regulations is unknown. Also, and
unlike many other fisheries, the only significant economic outlay for this activity
occurs at the time of construction and once built there are limited ongoing costs
beyond minor maintenance. Consequently fish fences remain economically
viable even when stocks are extremely low. There is a need to better understand
all of the fisheries activities within the Wakatobi to evaluate their environmental
impact and sustainability. The economics of fisheries also need to be assessed
and compared to other marine resource production activities such as seaweed
farming.
IS IS218 The economic and environmental sustainability of Bau Bau
fisheries (start dates 22 or 29 June; need to have completed reef survey
techniques course)
Coral reef productivity supports essential local fisheries but 60% of reefs are
considered to be overexploited. A range of techniques are used by local people
from the Bau Bau region to fish adjacent reefs. All fisheries’ activities impact
reefs directly or indirectly but some techniques are more environmentally
damaging than others. A commonly employed technique that relies on fish
traps (locally called “Bubu traps”) is used in the region. The deployment of
Bubu traps causes localised reef damage as fishermen hide the traps within
the reef structure and in doing so break up the reef. Little is known about the
extent of damage caused by such trapping. No economic assessment has yet
been carried out to determine the value of the technique to local communities.
This and other fisheries techniques such as gill-netting and hook-and-line need
to be fully evaluated both in terms of their economic and their environmental
sustainability. Research is required to determine catch per unit effort, areas
of high fisheries pressure, species caught and sold and the value of fisheries
activities within the region. This information is essential to underpin future
conservation strategies and identify how important the reef systems are for local
livelihoods.
“
Amazing, unforgettable experience and I
learnt so much - now I know that I want to
study marine biology as a Masters!
Anni Walsh, Kings College London
“
IH IH211 Seagrass ecology of the Wakatobi (start dates 22 or 29 June or
06 July; need to have completed reef survey techniques course)
Seagrass beds of the Wakatobi are amongst the most diverse on the planet and
provide many important ecosystem services, yet remain poorly understood. A
healthy and productive seagrass bed is extremely important for connected reef
systems as they provide refuge and nursery grounds for reef and economically
valuable fish; they also entrap sediments which may otherwise smother
reef organisms. The majority of tropical coastal research is focused on reef
systems and there is a great need to bring the importance and potential local
threats to ecosystem health of seagrass beds to the attention of management
authorities. Several studies may focus on; community structure and diversity
of seagrass beds across several sites within the Wakatobi, their standing
biomass, associated biodiversity and fish biomass. Another project could focus
on the importance of seagrass bed patch reefs as stepping stones enhancing
the connectivity between reef and mangrove habitats and in increasing overall
system biodiversity more generally. The study may also examine the impacts of
resource exploitation on seagrass ecology, diversity and functionality. Agar beds
can cover large areas of seagrass within the Wakatobi and may reduce the light
available to the benthos or change the nutrient dynamics; fish fences certainly
reduce fish biomass within seagrass beds. The importance of seagrass systems
to overall reef biodiversity and productivity, and the major threats to these
systems need to be quantified and urgently communicated to local management
authorities to ensure their future protection.
19
Expedition length
2, 4, 6 & 8 week options
Research Assistant options 6 set expeditions + additional marine options
Key facts l Largest number of forest research scientists
lIn the top 50 most irreplaceable forest sites in
the world
l6 endemic species of amphibian
lOpwall’s flagship Caribbean marine research site
lHighest recorded percentage of live coral
coverage anywhere in the Caribbean
The forests of Central America are some of the most species diverse forests
in the world partly because they are the meeting point of two great faunas –
those from North America and those from South America which had evolved
separately. Around 3 million years ago the land bridge that is now Central
America began to form and the two faunas began to intermingle. Many of these
forests have now been badly damaged but there is a proposal to join currently
discontinuous areas of forest into a continuous Meso American forest corridor
running from the forests of the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico (where there are
other Opwall teams) to the forests of Panama. Part of this corridor will be the
cloud forests of the Cusuco National Park in Honduras, but these forests have
suffered some significant deforestation. The Opwall survey teams have been
working in the Cusuco Park forests since 2004 and the data produced has
resulted in the Cusuco Park being listed in the top 50 most irreplaceable forest
sites in the world from a review of 173,000 protected areas worldwide (and in
the top 25 most important sites for the protection of amphibians). In 2016 all
the data collected by the Opwall teams is being used to make an application for
funding through the Natural Forest Standards system. This will include credits
Facilities
Forest
HM Cusuco Park
Accommodation at Base Camp is in tents and there are
toilets and showers. Terrain in Cusuco is one of the toughest
of all our expeditions. There is a wireless networked
computer system with an internet link at Base Camp
(although access to the internet may be limited) and this
is where all the data from the various survey teams are
collated. In addition, there is a DNA lab. From Base Camp,
teams can access four core zone fly camps across the park,
giving the experience of living deep in the forest, sleeping in
hammocks or tents and with the river as your shower facility.
Marine
HU Utila
Located outside of Utila town, accommodation is in shared
rooms with fans at the Coral View hotel. Situated between
some of the best reefs and the largest mangrove-lined
lagoon system on the island. The hotel is run by a local Utilan
family who have built, in conjunction with Operation Wallacea,
a well equipped dive and environmental monitoring field lab.
The home reef can be accessed from the jetty and provides
a site for more intensive experimental research, and a fully
equipped dive centre.
HT Tela
The Bay of Tela is situated between the national parks of
In the Caribbean there are a number of core issues that have been affecting
the biodiversity of the reefs – including the mass mortality of keystone sea
urchins that have allowed algal colonisation of reef areas, an invasive species
originally from the Indo-Pacific (lionfish) that acts as a predator on reef fish
has been spreading across the Caribbean, and overfishing of reef fish by local
communities. Opwall has a series of monitoring sites around the Caribbean
(Cuba, Dominica and Mexico) and two of those monitoring sites are in
Honduras. One is on the island reefs of Utila and the second on the coastal
barrier reef of Tela. The island of Utila is used to represent a typical modern
Caribbean reef, whereas the mainland bay of Tela offers an alternative type
of reef ecosystem, and they combine to help Opwall scientists explore the
best ways to protect coral reefs throughout the region. At both sites, teams
of Opwall scientists and students collect annual monitoring data to assess
temporal patterns of ecosystem change, alongside novel research to address key
management priorities and gaps in our current understanding of tropical marine
coastal ecosystem function.
Punta Sal and Punto Isopo. Honduras Shores Plantation is
located on the beach in the Bay of Tela between the sea and
a small lagoon which connects to some of the larger lagoons
in the area. Accommodation is in fan cooled dormitory style
rooms. There is a small dive centre, with swimming pool
and lecture facilities. All diving is by boat, with mangroves
reached by a combination of kayaks and a small boat.
HB Utila/Tela
Projects combining research at both Utila and Tela.
“
If you want a career in scientific
research, do this first! The experience
you will gain, and people you will meet
will be invaluable!
“
Hondurasoverview
being issued (on the basis of the information about the carbon and biodiversity
within the park) which can be sold by the Honduras Forestry Department to
multinational companies wishing to offset their carbon emissions and at the
same time help protect biodiversity. Funding raised in this way is then used
to manage and protect the park. The role of the Opwall teams is therefore to
complete annual surveys of the key biodiversity taxa to check on changes.
Emily Tyack, University of Nottingham
Brilliant experience, working and living
in the field alongside passionate and
knowledgeable scientists.
Samuel John Bates,
University of East Anglia
20
“
“
Honduras
21
Honduras Research Assistant Options
Expedition 1
Expedition 2
22 June
29 June
Set expedition length: 4 weeks HM HM HM HM
First week will be spent on forest ecology and jungle
training (HM001), then teams will trek across the entire of
Cusuco Park and spend the next 3 weeks in remote field
camps assisting with survey teams (HM102).
Add marine weeks:
+ 2 weeks or + + 4 weeks*
* not available for expedition 2
Expedition 6
Expedition 1
Expedition 2
15 June
Set expedition length: 4 weeks HM HM HM HU
The expedition medicine experiential course provides formal
teaching coupled with mentorship by doctors working out
in the field in various sites to gain experience in clinical
diagnosis and treatment. First three weeks are spent in
Cusuco Park with the final week on Utila.
Add marine weeks:
+ 2 weeks or + + 4 weeks
15 June
6 July
20 July
Set expedition length: 2 weeks HM HM
After completing the first week on the forest ecology and
jungle training course (HM001), groups will move to a remote
field camp and assist with biodiversity surveys (HM102).
Add marine weeks for expeditions 3 & 4:
+ + 2 weeks or + + 4 weeks*
+ + 6 weeks*
* not available for expeditions 4 & 5
Expedition 3
Expedition 4
Expedition 5
Just marine?
Marine only expeditions based in Honduras can be
organised for 2, 4, 6 or 8 weeks, building your own itinerary
from the options labelled HU, HT or HB on any of the
expedition dates offered.
marine only expedition
Expedition 6
HU003/ HT004 PADI Open Water - This course involves
a combination of theory lessons, confined water dives and
open water dives to gain an official scuba diving qualification.
This course must be completed if you are not already dive
trained and want to dive on the project.
HM001 - Jungle training: Series of lectures and practicals
of how to survey and survive in the jungle
Additional dive training - Available from PADI Advanced
onwards, for full details please contact us or visit
www.opwall.com
HU005 - On Utila we are able to train you to PADI Divemaster
level, this takes 4 weeks. You have to be a PADI Rescue diver
and have at least 60 logged dives.
HU006/HT008 - Caribbean reef ecology HU HT diving
HU007 - Caribbean reef ecology HU snorkelling
The course teaches identification of common genera and species of
coral and other macroinvertebrates, identification of the major reefassociated fish families and common species and introduces a variety
of methods and practices used for scientific research in the marine
environment.
22
Expedition 3
Expedition 4
Expedition 5
Canopy Access - Optional training course for those
wanting to ascend into the canopy. ($165)
Travel information
You need to book your international flights to arrive
at San Pedro Sula Airport (Ramon Villeda Morales
International) on the Tuesday before your expedition
begins, and to depart after 1600hrs on the Tuesday
Monitoring biodiversity change HM102 Operation Wallacea has
established an annual monitoring programme for Cusuco National Park.
This involves standardised monitoring of a number of taxa from 145
sites across the park to assess changes in the structure of the forest and
how these changes are impacting the target taxa. Monitoring data are
combined with analysis of satellite imagery to produce an annual report.
Students assist all research projects, including helping to set up and
empty invertebrate pitfall traps, light traps, performing timed searches
for herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians), point counts and mist netting
for birds. There will also be specialist scientists in each camp. Studies
include projects such as completing inventories of dung beetle species,
examining invertebrate communities in bromeliads and collecting data
on the total diversity of invertebrates using DNA barcoding of samples
from flight intercept traps set at different points around the Park and in
the canopy. Teams are looking at infection rates of chytrid fungus – a
disease that has decimated amphibian populations elsewhere – in these
tiny mountain top amphibian communities to determine the best strategy
for their conservation. Additional researchers are working on the trophic
ecology of small mammals, running camera traps for large mammal
surveys, mist netting bats to describe community structure, and an
experiment focusing on survey bias and how to best trains surveyors to
observe wildlife.
Reef fish and benthic community monitoring of Utila’s reefs
HU109 To assess benthic health, video transects are filmed and analysed
back on land to calculate the percentage cover of key taxa such as hard
corals, soft corals and macroalgae. Fish communities are assessed first
using traditional underwater visual census technique, but also using
cutting edge stereo-video surveying. Stereo-video involves filming
transects with specialised software to allow accurate size measurements
to be taken. Volunteers on this project will be helping with laying
transects, collecting data in the water and completing the video surveys.
They will also be heavily involved in the analysis of video footage back
on land.
Utila research assistant pool HU110 There are several different
research projects on Utila, these projects involve studying a specific
element of the marine environment in extensive detail, either through
diving, snorkelling, kayaking or through laboratory analyses. Projects
include detailed reef surveys, sea urchin population dynamics, invasive
lionfish ecology, behavioural studies of Caribbean cleaning symbioses
and mangrove system ecology. All these projects require extensive data
collection. Research assistants joining this project can volunteer their
time to help with projects they are interested in and will gain valuable
insights into the specific research topic they cover.
Tela research assistant pool HT111 The research being carried out in
Tela is using the unique nature of the coral reefs found there to address
core priorities for Caribbean reef conservation. The percentage cover of
hard corals is extraordinarily high, and is accompanied by uniquely high
densities of the keystone herbivore Diadema antillarum. Also, due to the
low diving pressure in the bay, invasive lionfish populations are high,
providing an excellent source of individuals for in-depth study. Projects
involve a combination of in-water data collection via scuba diving and
laboratory experiments back on land to support PhD and dissertation level
research. Research assistants joining this project will have the opportunity
to be involved with multiple research areas working alongside the team of
scientists on-site.
Honduras
23
Honduras terrestrial dissertations and research topics
HM HM220 Epiphytic lichen community survey in Cusuco National Park
(start dates 22 June or 29 June; need to complete HM001)
Lichens are strongly correlated with environmental variables due to their
physiology, and as such are often used as bioindicators to assess environmental
quality and disturbance. Furthermore, over the last decade they have received
particular attention due to the possibility of using them as early warning alarms
for climatic changes. This project would support a first ever survey of the
lichen diversity in Cusuco, which could provide exciting information about
environmental quality as well as the lichen species and families composition in
the park. Students could develop a range of questions, for example examining
the variation in lichen composition within and between trees, between differing
altitudes, and differing disturbance levels. Additionally students could use
species distribution modelling (SDM) and GIS to predict species variation in
ecological niches when presented with future climate scenarios and emissions.
HM HM221 Estimating tropical invertebrate diversity (start dates 22 June
or 29 June; need to complete HM001)
This is a unique opportunity to participate in a global DNA barcoding initiative,
the International Barcode of Life (iBOL, http://ibol.org/) in an area already
demonstrated to have a spectacular diversity of invertebrates. Conceptualised
and supported by the University of Guelph, Canada, DNA barcoding provides
an accurate, rapid and inexpensive species identification method for thousands
of specimens within Cusuco National Park. This topic is designed to gain an
overall understanding and estimate of the total arthropod diversity of Cusuco
National Park. Projects will focus on estimating the overall invertebrate diversity
of Cusuco and could include: A biodiversity investigation within a vertical forest
structure where Malaise traps are set in the canopy, mid-tree and on the ground
to compare overlap in species; the spatial variation and overall invertebrate
diversity with varying tree species, altitude, or rainfall level found within the
park; a comparison of diversity and overlap in specimens from different survey
techniques. Students doing these projects collect specimens on a weekly basis,
allowing species accumulation curve plots, and sort their specimens into Order.
Larger specimens will be pinned and a leg will be removed from each specimen
for subsequent DNA extraction. Sorted plates and pinned specimens are sent
to the University of Guelph for DNA sequence generation (2-3 weeks). The
sequencing for this project is being completed at a heavily subsidised rate by
the University of Guelph and from additional funds provided by Opwall. However
additional lab cost funds (which many students have access to through their
university) will be required from students to complete the work.
24
HM HM222 Diversity and habitat associations of bees in Cusuco National
Park (start dates 22 June or 29 June; need to complete HM001)
Pollination is an essential ecological service and bees are generally considered
to be the most important group of pollinators. However the ecology of bees in
the Neotropics and in particular Honduras, is very poorly understood. In this
project, bee diversity will be assessed in relation to variables such as habitat
fragmentation, land use and forest type. A variety of methods such as pan
traps, Malaise traps and insect nets may be used, in addition to using chemical
attractants to bait orchid bees (which are particularly important and unique
to the Neotropics). Research questions could focus on the species inventory
for Cusuco, the variation in species composition between habitat types and
disturbance levels, and which types of bees are associated with agricultural
lands and might be important crop pollinators. Other questions could address
the effectiveness of different chemicals in attracting orchid bees, and could
examine which species of orchid bees are attracted to particular chemicals. This
offers excellent opportunities to do comparative studies of different attractants,
different combinations and amounts of attractants, and related studies.
HM HM223 Dung beetle ecology in the Honduran cloud forest (start dates
22 June or 29 June; need to complete HM001)
This topic allows students to work on one of the longest-running large-scale
invertebrate ecology research projects in the Neotropics, studying the diversity
and community structure of dung beetles over a complex matrix of elevational
and habitat gradients. Students on this project will participate in the main data
collection effort, and could also adapt the sampling program to their own project
or set up plots for experimental studies. There may also be the opportunity to
investigate aspects of ecological genetics, or to utilise GIS in analysing local
biogeography of dung beetles. Projects could involve analysing community data
from the sampling programme in relation to the habitat structure measurements,
or working with data from multiple teams to assess the role that dung beetles
play as an indicator for forest quality or the occurrence of other species. Dung
beetles also play a vital role in decomposition in the forest and in seed dispersal
and the impact and effectiveness of these roles could be tested using various
experimental designs. Alternatively, a project could focus on finding out more
about some of the beetle species to assess how far they travel to their food
source, via mark–recapture methods, or to study aspects of dung beetle ecology
such as diet activity or feeding preferences.
HM HM224 Ecology of moths in the tropical cloud forest of Honduras
(start dates 22 June or 29 June; need to complete HM001)
This topic would take advantage of the network of new high-intensity mercury
vapour collecting lamps installed throughout Cusuco National Park to study
the incredible diversity of moths attracted to light. Currently, two families
(Sphingidae and Saturniidae) are well-studied and identifiable to species in
Cusuco, but many others are also attracted to light and their diversity is poorly
known. Projects could focus on establishing the diversity of the lesser known
families (based on morphology or using DNA barcoding) or on increasing
our understanding of the better studied species of Saturniid and Sphingid
using mark recapture (for example to assess population size and dispersal,
or morphological variation within and between species). There would also
be scope to improve our knowledge about the process of light trapping,
by studying little-known aspects such as the effects of surrounding habitat
structure and the attractive radius of traps. Alternatively, studies could take
advantage of collaboration with canopy access experts to undertake light
trapping above the forest floor, to assess possible variation in captures and
moth diversity over a vertical gradient.
HM HM225 Metacommunity dynamics of aquatic invertebrates in
bromeliads (start dates 22 June or 29 June; need to complete HM001)
This project aims at gaining an insight into some of the deep ecological
mechanisms driving diversity patterns. Building on a detailed study of the
aquatic invertebrates in bromeliads carried out over the last seven years,
a series of experimental set ups will be used to look into metacommunity
dynamics and how dispersal affects alpha, beta and gamma diversity of
invertebrates. Cusuco National Park has the highest diversity of passive
dispersers (invertebrates that need a vector to move between bromeliads)
recorded, and the presence of both these and active dispersers allows
projects to be developed that study how dispersal strategies affect community
assemblages and diversity patterns. In this project students will use small
plastic cups as artificial bromeliads strategically placed in the forest to
experimentally test hypotheses concerning the impact of factors such as
metacommunity size (the number of bromeliads) and patch size (bromeliad
size) on the aquatic invertebrate diversity.
HM HM227 Abundance and distribution of threatened amphibian
populations in Cusuco cloud forest (start dates 22 June or 29 June; need
to complete HM001)
The amphibians of Cusuco National Park are threatened by rapid, recent
expansion of coffee farms and pastures for cattle ranching within the buffer zone
and core zone of the park. If the amphibian populations continue to decline
then decisions must be made regarding the value of ex-situ conservation of
key species for subsequent release once the threats to the population have
been resolved. In order to make such decisions, it is imperative that we have
reliable estimates of amphibian population dynamics. Thus, data are urgently
required on the population sizes and distributions of each of the cloud forest
amphibian species and the catchments in which each occur. Data collection for
this project involves sampling amphibians both from the forests and rivers at
multiple locations in the park. These data may then be used to calculate reliable
estimates of species abundance and may also be added to existing GIS maps of
the park to investigate species distribution patterns.
“
This trip has opened my eyes to the
sheer amount of diversity of the park
and exactly why it needs protecting –
an unforgettable experience.
“
All projects are based in Cusuco National Park and are labelled HM .
HM HM226 How do dragonfly communities change over an elevation
gradient? (start dates 22 June or 29 June; need to complete HM001)
Protected as a national park to ensure the freshwater resource is preserved
for use as drinking water, Cusuco National Park is home to a high diversity of
aquatic invertebrates. A particularly charismatic and prominently visible part of
the invertebrate assemblage are the dragonflies. Preliminary surveys indicate
the presence of at least 40 species but little is known on their ecology. This
project aims at performing the first community assemblage study of dragonfly
communities in Cusuco by looking into distributional patterns of individual
species and how dragonfly communities change with river types and on an
elevation gradient. Particular attention will be devoted to how the dispersal
capacity of individual species affects their distribution patterns. It is expected
that damselflies with limited flight abilities have a smaller distribution in
comparison with the more mobile dragonflies. Also within each group, size
differences within species are expected to affect mobility and distribution
patterns.
Leah Howells, University of Stirling
Honduras dissertations
25
HM HM228 Trophic ecology of snakes in Cusuco National Park (start
dates 22 June or 29 June; need to complete HM001)
Cusuco is home to a large diversity of snake species. Their distribution is often
patchy and little is known about the features influencing their ecology. Indeed,
the prey items taken by each species, particularly palm vipers, is unknown but
some species are thought to be amphibian specialists whilst others are thought
to be small mammal or even arthropod specialists. Dissertation students will
be completing surveys where snakes are captured (by a trained herpetologist –
students will not be able to handle snakes directly) and morphological metrics
recorded. Scale samples will also be taken for genetic analysis and for Stable
Isotope Analysis (SIA). The latter provides a means by which the trophic position
at which as the snakes have been feeding and the geographic origin of their
prey (aquatic or terrestrial) can be determined. The cost of sample preparation
and commercial SIA will be highly subsidised, but additional lab cost funds
(which most students have access to from their university) will be required from
students to complete the work. Students without access to these funds may still
undertake the project but can base their research question around habitat use
and niche partitioning between different snakes.
HM229 Prevalence of chytrid in amphibian populations within
Cusuco (start dates 22 June or 29 June; need to complete HM001)
The effective conservation of Cusuco National Park is imperative for many
endemic species, none more so than cloud forest amphibians. The spread of
chytrid fungus has caused severe declines in many amphibian populations and
is a major concern for global amphibian conservation. Chytrid is known to have
been present within the amphibian populations of Cusuco for at least 15 years,
but its prevalence within specific areas of the forest and the extent to which
different species are affected are not well known. Amphibian species will be
encountered during diurnal and nocturnal transects and swabbed for chytrid.
Swabs will be taken back to the lab at base camp and tested for the presence of
chytrid using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and visualised using agarose gel
electrophoresis. Individuals will also be assessed for visual signs of infection.
Prevalence of chytrid will be mapped in the park using multiple years’ data to
assess whether the disease is continuing to spread to previously uninfected
areas.
HM
HM HM230 Factors affecting bird communities in Cusuco (start dates 22
June or 29 June; need to complete HM001)
Birds are excellent indicators of forest ecosystem health as their abundance and
diversity are closely related to habitat disturbance. This topic takes advantage
of the existing fixed-method point count survey work being undertaken for birds
at over 130 survey sites across Cusuco, as well as the recently started markrelease-recapture mist-netting survey data. By examining species distributions
and species richness across varying habitats, projects could: compare bird
communities in different administrative divisions of the park (e.g. the buffer/core
zone); study the impact of differing disturbance levels on bird communities;
investigate the impact of habitat type on bird community composition; or
look at the effect of altitude on bird composition. By using covariates such as
temperature, habitat structure and forest type, threshold limits for the different
species could be elucidated which may have interesting implications for the
impact of habitat alteration (e.g. by deforestation) in the future.
HM HM231 Assessing detectability of under-represented bird species in
Cusuco National Park (start dates 22 June or 29 June; need to complete
HM001)
Traditional biodiversity monitoring techniques used in Cusuco, such as point
counts and mist netting both have biases that have the potential to result
in some species being under recorded (such as several members of the
Furnariidae family, which includes woodcreepers). This study would seek to use
a combination of methods to survey the groups which are poorly represented
by the mist net/point count methods (nocturnal birds, diurnal raptors, aerial
feeders, some cryptic understory birds etc.). There is scope to test a variety
of methods (such as play-back, spot-mapping, and raptor watches from
exposed views) and results of this project could be used to establish the best
combination of survey methods to represent the widest range of bird species.
Methods such as audio playback could be compared with traditional point
counts. Furthermore, since an in-depth study of the nocturnal birds of Cusuco
has never been carried out, students on this topic could choose to specialise
in nocturnal birds and use methods such as playback to attempt to improve our
understanding of how these important yet understudied species are distributed
throughout the park.
HM HM232 Variation in cloud forest small mammal populations and
their microhabitat partitioning, Honduras (start dates 22 June or 29 June;
need to complete HM001)
A total of 19 small mammal species have been recorded in Cusuco National Park
comprising a complex community. However, three focal species are of interest
and dominate the community; 1) Desmarest’s spiny pocket mouse (Heteromys
desmarestianus) which occurs on the forest floor >150m from the nearest river
(terrestrial environment), 2) the Mexican deer mouse (Peromyscus mexicanus)
which occurs along river corridors <3m from the water’s edge (riparian
environment), and 3) a currently unidentified Rheomys spp. watermouse which
is entirely aquatic and forages by diving within upland rocky streams (riverine
environment). Thus, three trap-lines are set at each of seven camps throughout
Cusuco National Park; each consisting of 12 traps placed approx. 10m apart
with one trapline in each microhabitat targeting each of the three small mammal
species. How these species share the forest and the individual specialism of
each species remains largely unknown. Small mammal abundance and species
composition can be related to habitat data collected from permanent plots along
the transect network (for example forest structure, tree density, % fruiting, leaf
litter depth etc.). Additionally, abundance and special distribution patterns may
be related to predator abundance and distribution (mainly large snake species
including Wilson’s pit viper, Cerrophidion wilsoni) building up a picture of the
trophic relationships in the region.
26
HM HM233 The use of camera trapping arrays to quantify human
disturbance of large mammal species, Honduras (start dates 22 June or
29 June; need to complete HM001)
A total of 23 large mammal species have been recorded in Cusuco National
Park using indirect survey techniques including field signs such as footprints or
droppings. These include the endangered Baird’s tapir and species which are
commonly hunted for bushmeat such as red brocket deer and white-collared
peccaries. Camera traps are deployed throughout Cusuco National Park, placed
either within 20m of the sample route network or up to 300m away from the
sample routes. This enables us to examine the distribution of large mammals
throughout the park with respect to distance from the park boundary, human
habitation and nearby deforested patches and also distance from our transect
network, focusing on the effect of human disturbance. For key target species for
which there are >10 detections throughout the season, the Random Encounter
Model (REM) may be employed to estimate probable abundance. Data from
previous years will be available for comparison enabling temporal trends in
detections to be assessed. NOTE: this project involves hiking the entire transect
network and also considerable distances off transect. The park has an average
slope of 30°. Thus, moderate to high levels of physical fitness are essential for
students undertaking this project.
HM HM235 Variation in microchiropteran bat activity in response to
spatial and temporal variation in insect activity in Honduras (start dates
22 June or 29 June; need to complete HM001)
Most microchiropteran bat species are insectivorous although some prey on
flying insects (e.g. mosquitoes) and others glean arboreal invertebrates from
leaves (e.g. spiders). Invertebrate activity can vary markedly over relatively
short distances (e.g. in proximity to water), over large distances (in response to
altitude) and over time (i.e. at the same site but on different nights of different
temperature). Bat activity will be recorded using a combination of bat detectors
to record ultrasonic bat activity (numbers of bat passes) and mist netting (to
capture individuals to determine body condition). Fly traps (strips of sticky fly
paper) will be erected at each site being surveyed for the duration of the night
and the number of flying insects caught enumerated to a high taxonomic level
(e.g. family). Sweep netting could also be conducted to enumerate foliage
dwelling invertebrates such as spiders. Nightly temperatures will be recorded
and bat activity will be correlated with invertebrate activity in response to
temperature (which is also elevation dependent).
HM HM236 Determining the likely impact of climate change on
altitudinally sensitive species in isolated Honduran cloud forests (start
dates 22 June or 29 June; need to complete HM001)
Cloud forests are often described as ‘sky islands’ where species adapted to
their conditions are often isolated on mountain tops surrounded by a sea of
human disturbance in the lowlands. Cusuco National Park is home to seven
species of endemic/endangered amphibians and reptiles as well as numerous
endemic invertebrates. These species exhibit a strong altitudinal cline with
either lower or higher abundances at the lower or high altitudes within Cusuco.
Dissertation students can join either the herptile or invertebrate survey teams
to survey either the endemic amphibians or invertebrates. Species occurrence
records generated throughout the season will be added to an existing database
of records from 2006. These will be used for Species Distribution Modelling
using the software programme MAXENT. Using Geographic Information System
(GIS) layers for mean annual temperature, precipitation and topographical
variables, such as slope or distance from water, the bioclimatic envelope
of each species will be determined accounting for topography and habitat.
Established models for projected climate change will be downscaled to a
30m resolution and the bioclimatic envelopes will be projected into the future
to determine the likely impact of climate change and future climatic space
available for the park endemics.
HM HM234 Ecology and behaviour of bats in tropical cloud forests,
Honduras (start dates 22 June or 29 June; need to complete HM001)
Cusuco National Park is an incredibly complex landscape with huge variation
in elevation, temperature and rainfall resulting in a wide range of habitats. Bats
at Cusuco National Park have been monitored between June and August each
year since 2006 using mist net surveys. Over 50 species of bats have been
captured at Cusuco including insectivores, nectarivores, frugivores, carnivores
and sanguivores. In addition to abiotic data on lunar phase, precipitation and
temperature, habitat measurements are also available. Some potential ecology
projects include examining the effects of abiotic variables, prey abundance and/
or habitat type on bat abundance or demography. Studies could also examine
how ecological variables contribute to annual variation in bat abundance or
diversity using Opwall’s historical data. The abundance and diversity of bats
in Cusuco permits comparisons within or across species or guilds. In addition
to mist netting, acoustic surveys using ultrasonic recording equipment are
now being implemented. This permits projects on vocal behaviour, such
as examining echolocation or social vocalisations in individual species,
developing species identification using echolocation signals, or comparing
mist net and acoustic survey data for species presence and abundance.
27
Honduras marine dissertations and research topics
HB HB239 Tracking the recovery of a keystone urchin species and its
role in reef restoration (start dates 15 June, 22 June, or 29 June; need to
complete dive training and the Caribbean reef ecology course)
Under natural conditions, the sea urchin (Diadema antillarum) is the most
important herbivore on Caribbean coral reefs, and is therefore considered a
keystone species. However, a disease in the 1980s caused the death of an
estimated 98% of individuals throughout the region. This mass mortality event
had a devastating effect on reef health, driving subsequent phase shifts to
algal dominated benthic communities. Recovery has been extremely limited,
with populations on most reefs still severely depleted, and Utila Island is a
classic example of this. Remarkably, the Banco Capiro reef system in Tela Bay
has a population density of D. antillarum at astonishingly high levels. It also
boasts extremely high benthic reef health, despite historical overfishing leading
to a complete collapse of the fishery. Since its recent discovery, Operation
Wallacea scientists began detailed population studies in 2013 and this project
will continue to build on this. The primary objective is to quantify changes
in the abundance, biomass and population structure of D. antillarum on the
reefs of Utila and Banco Capiro. Further data will assess the potential roles of
competition, predation and environmental factors in driving the recovery on
Banco Capiro.
HB HB240 Spatial and temporal patterns in fish community structure
and biomass on contrasting reef systems in Honduras (start dates 15
June, 22 June, or 29 June; need to be dive trained and have completed the
Caribbean reef ecology course)
The reefs around Utila and Tela Bay offer a unique opportunity to study various
aspects of fish community structure and population dynamics on Caribbean
coral reefs. Reef fish populations are subjected to a huge variety of different
pressures and variables, both natural and human, which dictate their abundance
and diversity. Many of these variables are not fully understood. On Utila,
overfishing has long been a problem, whilst degraded reef habitats have limited
the carrying capacity for fishery recovery. However, the island boasts a gradient
of reef habitats to explore the drivers of fish population density and community
structure. The reefs of Tela Bay have been subjected to extreme overfishing in
the past, which has led to a complete collapse of the fishery. This ultimately
led to a decline in fishing pressure that has provided Tela with the potential
for rapid fish biomass recovery. Dissertation projects will use cutting edge
stereo-video technology, which allows accurate biomass assessments of reef
fish communities. These data will be combined with additional benthic habitat
surveys using underwater video transects as well as environmental variables to
investigate the main drivers of variation in reef fish community structure. Other
projects could focus on temporal trends in overall fish biomass at both sites
using data from previous research seasons.
28
HB HB241 Managing the Caribbean lionfish invasion (start dates 15
June, 22 June, or 29 June; need to be dive trained and have completed the
Lionfish are an invasive species in the Caribbean and are having a devastating
impact on local fish communities throughout the region. Introduced, believed
to be by accident, in the 1980s, lionfish have spread extremely quickly and
are expected to soon be found as far as New York and South America. Their
success is down to a number of factors, including their high reproductive rate,
generalism in terms of both diet and habitat, and a lack of natural predators.
They are now considered to be one of the greatest threats to the future of
Caribbean coral reefs and their fish communities. Management approaches to
dealing with the lionfish invasion are limited, with one of the most common
being direct removal via spear fishing. This relies on regular visitation to
individual reef sites, as studies have shown full recovery of lionfish populations
only five months after complete removal. Baseline data will be collected on
population densities of lionfish at sites of varying intensities of culling. Lionfish
will subsequently be removed and morphometric measurements taken along
with dissections for physiological and gut content assessments, which can link
fish assessments to gauge prey availability.
HB HB242 The dynamics of mutualistic cleaning interactions on
Caribbean coral reefs (start dates 15 June, 22 June, or 29 June; need to
be dive trained and have completed the Caribbean reef ecology course)
On coral reefs, the cleaning behaviour of certain species represents an important
interspecific and mutualistic relationship that provides a vital ecological service
to the wider reef fish community. In the Caribbean, cleaning is performed
by both fish (primarily gobies of the genus Elacatinus) and invertebrates
(primarily the Pederson’s cleaner shrimp, Ancylomenes pedersoni). Cleaner
species occupy cleaning stations that are sought by client fish who perform
set behaviours in order to initiate cleaning. The dynamics of these interactions
are complex, and span the taxonomic spectrum of the reef fish community,
with Pederson’s cleaner shrimp alone known to service over 20 families of
fish. Projects could focus on either goby or shrimp cleaning stations, or a
comparison of both, to explore variation in clientele and investigate how
cleaning frequency and duration varies between client species. Alternatively,
projects could build on recent research demonstrating the impact of diver
presence on the provision of cleaning behaviour through a combination of in
water diver observations and remote videography.
“
I had the most amazing experience in Utila
and loved the diving aspect combined with
scientific diving- I now know the marine
science life is for me!
“
Marine research topics are either based at: Tela Marine Research Centre on the
mainland labelled HT . On Utila Island labelled HU . Some of the dissertation
topics require time to be spent at both research stations labelled HB .
HU HU244 Depth distributions and bathymetric connectivity of coral reef
fish (start dates 15 June, 22 June, or 29 June; need to have completed
the Caribbean reef ecology course and be dive trained if data are being
collected by diving)
Most coral reef research focuses on shallow water habitats and their ecological
processes, such as the habitat connectivity exhibited by fish migrations between
coral reef, seagrass and mangrove ecosystems. However, coral reefs extend well
beyond the limits of recreational diving, with mesophotic coral reef ecosystems
(MCEs) extending in some areas to over 100m. These reefs are beyond the reach
of most researchers, and therefore very little is known of the community structure
at these depths, and what level of habitat connectivity exists between MCEs
and their shallow counterparts. By working alongside a small team of technical
divers and remotely deployed camera systems able to sample MCEs, students
who are diving on this project will help collect the shallow data component
through a range of fish and benthic monitoring techniques, and ultimately have
access to both data sets for use in their dissertations. Non-diving students will
operate and analyse footage from remotely deployed baited camera systems.
Specific questions could include an assessment of total biomass at varying
depths, or a more detailed analysis of fish community structure between a range
of habitats.
Yasmin Edney, Portsmouth University
HB HB243 The structure and carbon storage potential of Caribbean
mangroves (start dates 15 June, 22 June, or 29 June; need to have
completed the Caribbean reef ecology course)
Mangroves are an important component of the tropical coastal environment, and
one of the three linked habitats forming the mangrove-seagrass-reef continuum.
They offer a range of ecosystem services including coastal protection, buffers
against excessive sedimentation and nutrients reaching the ocean, and as
nurseries for many fish populations. However, due to their position on the
coastal fringe, they are under severe threat around the Caribbean from direct
removal for coastal development. Researchers will access a range of Honduran
mangrove lagoons with varying levels of anthropogenic impact via kayaking.
Projects will study variations in forest structure in mangroves lining these
lagoons and link findings to levels of anthropogenic disturbance. Other projects
could focus on carbon storage of these mangroves, both above and below the
sediment, to assess their value as carbon sinks.
29
HU HU246 The vulnerability of commercially valuable groupers based
on behavioural responses to diver presence (start dates 15 June,
22 June, or 29 June; need to be dive trained and have completed the
Grouper are a desirable fish and have been overfished extensively. The Nassau
grouper is now commercially extinct from many parts of the Caribbean and
therefore listed as an endangered species on the IUCN Red List. This species
is known to be bold and readily approachable by scuba divers; however this
has yet to be quantified. Hunting pressure has been shown to alter an animal’s
behaviour and recently spearing pressure was shown to increase lionfish
weariness. Determining the weariness of a species by obtaining the Flight
Initiation Distance (FID) and Alert Distance (AD) can help understand the
vulnerability of a species to fishing pressure. Understanding how factors such
as shelter availability and the presence of conspecifics may affect the FID is
additionally important. This project will examine behaviour across the grouper
community in response to approaching divers/snorkelers. This information is
integral for improving the fisheries regulations for threatened species and to
ensure their future survival.
HT HT249 The behaviour of invasive lionfish on Caribbean reefs
(start dates 15 June, 22 June, or 29 June; this project is predominately
laboratory based but can also include a diving element; need to complete
Caribbean reef ecology course and dive training if required)
The invasion of lionfish into the Caribbean has developed into one of the greatest
threats to the survival of the region’s coral reefs thanks to the devastating effect
they have on native fish populations. Research has naturally focused on mapping
the spread of lionfish, quantifying their ecological impacts, and exploring
management interventions to reduce their numbers. However, improving
our understanding of the behaviour of this species on non-native reefs is of
particular interest to better grasp the underlying success of their invasion. This
project will assess lionfish behaviour both on the reefs and in a small laboratory,
where individuals will be captured and processed before being returned to the
sea. Particular focuses of this work could include prey selectivity, and habitat
preferences to investigate the cryptic nature of this species, and data can be
linked to ecological characteristics of the reef itself.
“
HU HU247 A critical comparison of assessment techniques for
surveying Caribbean coral reef ecosystems (start dates 15 June,
22 June, or 29 June; need to be dive trained and have completed the
The design of specific coral reef survey and monitoring protocols depends
on a range of factors including manpower, the expertise of participants and
available funding. Decreasing replicates and data resolution can increase the
speed of data collection, but this has negative consequences for data reliability
and the ability to answer more complex questions. Due to the heavy reliance
on SCUBA, traditional methods focus on in situ data collection, meaning time
becomes a significant limiting factor. However, the emergence of affordable
technological alternatives to traditional coral reef monitoring techniques has
greatly increased the potential efficiency of data collection. Benthic surveys
to study reef habitat quality can be conducted using underwater videography,
while fish surveys can be conducted using state of the art stereo-videography
to provide accurate biomass as well as abundance data. These techniques allow
scientists to analyse footage back on land, meaning more replicates can be
completed on a single dive. This dissertation will critically compare a range of
coral reef survey techniques, exploring their strengths and weaknesses, to better
inform researchers and conservation managers when designing reef monitoring
strategies in the Caribbean.
HT HT248 Physiology and behaviour of the long-spined sea urchin, a
keystone Caribbean coral reef herbivore (start dates 15 June, 22 June,
or 29 June; this project is predominately laboratory based but can also
include a diving element; need to complete Caribbean reef ecology course
and dive training if required)
The long-spined sea urchin (Diadema antillarum), is responsible for the
maintenance of coral reef health throughout the Caribbean. However, in the
early 1980s a regionwide epidemic reduced their populations by an average of
98%, which stimulated the widespread macroalgal phase-shifts that currently
plague the Caribbean. Despite the fact that restoration of D. antillarum is widely
believed to be a conservation priority we know surprisingly little about their
physiology and behaviour. The aim of this project is therefore to explore the
innate responses of this keystone species to numerous external environmental
and physical factors, such as food and habitat availability, and rising sea surface
temperatures, which may affect the success of targeted conservation efforts.
These questions will be answered through a series of laboratory manipulations
on urchin specimens collected from nearby reefs.
30
“
HU HU245 Reef flattening and its impacts on associated biodiversity
(start dates 15 June, 22 June, or 29 June; need to be dive trained and have
completed the Caribbean reef ecology course)
Hard corals are the ecosystem architects of tropical coral reefs. They provide a
complex three-dimensional structure through generations of calcium carbonate
skeletons, which in turn provide the range and quantity of microhabitats
needed/required to support the staggering biodiversity associated with these
ecosystems. However, recent decades have seen a significant loss of hard
coral cover, particularly the more structurally complex branching growth
forms, leading to a phenomenon known as reef flattening. The Caribbean has
been particularly impacted, and the carrying capacity of associated fish and
invertebrates has subsequently decreased. This project will assess areas of reef
around Utila to quantify both their structural complexity and the diversity and
abundance of fish and invertebrates each area supports. Data could be collected
across varying spatial scales and depths, and the findings used to predict the
future consequences of continued reef flattening in the region.
Amazing experience. It felt great to
be able to participate in important
scientific research.
Emma Busby, Keele University
HT HT250 Caribbean reef restoration through strategically placed and
structurally complex artificial structures (start dates 15 June, 22 June,
or 29 June; this project is predominately laboratory based but can also
include a diving element; need to complete Caribbean reef ecology course
and dive training if required)
Over the last three decades the structural complexity of the Caribbean has
significantly decreased, which has diminished the availability of living space
and led to large reductions in biodiversity. In summer 2015 Operation Wallacea
scientists and volunteers deployed a series of artificial reef systems around La
Ensenada, a macroalgal covered, degraded patch of reef located within Tela
Bay. They are attempting to provide the long-spined sea urchin, a keystone
herbivore responsible for the maintenance of healthy Caribbean coral reef
ecosystems, with the shelter needed for them to avoid predation and proliferate,
returning their much needed ecological role to reefs in crisis. This study hopes
to assess the effectiveness of artificial reef deployment, coupled with urchin
transplantation, for promoting the reversal of Caribbean-wide macroalgal phaseshifts. The ultimate aim is to optimise the design of artificial reef structures in
order to maximise the recovery potential of long-spined sea urchin populations
as a conservation intervention for the entire Caribbean.
31
Diving ✘ Forest ✔
Expedition length
Dissertation options7
Key facts l The largest protected seasonally flooded forest
in South America
lThe only Opwall site to find pink and grey
river dolphins
lTravelling and staying on historically restored
Amazon rubber-boom ships
Research objectives
The Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve is one of the largest protected areas in
Peru spanning over 20,000 km2 of tropical rainforest and is a truly exceptional
wilderness area. Situated deep in the rainforests of the western Amazon basin, at
the point where the Amazon River begins its long journey to the Atlantic Ocean,
the reserve teems with aquatic and terrestrial wildlife. The two major rivers that
bind the reserve are the Ucayali and Marañón, and they join to form the Amazon
proper right at the point where the reserve begins. The huge floodplains of these
majestic rivers have produced the low-lying flooded forests (várzea) of the
reserve, much of which is accessible on foot during the dry season surveys. The
core areas of the reserve with no exploitation permitted are at the most upstream
end. At the downstream end, there are communities of Cocama Indians who
are involved in reserve management and managing resources in non-core zone
areas sustainably. The Samiria River that runs through the heart of the PacayaSamiria National Reserve has a particularly large population of river dolphins
and is the last remaining refuge for the Amazonian manatee. Giant river otters are
also returning and every year more are sighted in the rivers, lakes and channels.
There are 12 species of primates in the reserve, many of which are commonly
sighted on the terrestrial and aquatic transects.
PP
Research boats The entire
research expedition, including
accommodation and travel to the
field site, will be based aboard
either of the research boats: The
Rio Amazonas or the Pithecia
which are restored boats from
the rubber boom era. The boats
have fan cooled cabins which can
accommodate 4-10 participants
in bunk-beds, dining areas, snack
bar, a small research library, and
open deck space.
“
My expedition with Operation Wallacea has
given me a real passion for conservation,
an increased curiousity in the natural world
and a greater desire to travel and gain
similar experiences.
Imogen Cripps, University of Cambridge
Water-based surveys In addition
to the research boat on which you
will be living, there
are small auxiliary boats (e.g.
wooden and aluminium canoes)
used to access the various data
collection points.
Land-based surveys Are
accessed, on foot, from the shore
directly next to where the boats
moor - several transects radiate
from this location.
“
“
Facilities
“
Peruoverview
The flooded forests (várzea) of the reserve are particularly susceptible to global
climate change which appears to be increasing the frequency of extreme
flooding events and low water periods. During the height of the annual floods,
92- 94% of the reserve is flooded but this can be as high as 98% in extreme
flooding events, confining land based mammals (agouti, deer, peccaries,
armadillos) to small areas of land and thereby significantly impacting their
population levels. In times of extreme low water, fish populations and their
associated predators (dolphins, river birds) are under stress. The dataset
managed by Fund Amazonia for this reserve, which is based on the annual
surveys completed by the Opwall teams and others, is the most extensive in any
of the Peruvian reserves and is showing the impact of global climate change on
a range of taxa and on the livelihoods of indigenous people. This information is
being used to make management decisions for the reserve and policy decisions
for conserving the Peruvian Amazon.
A highly recommended experience, great
opportunity for anyone interested in
conservation and wildlife.
Flora Passfield, University of Birmingham
32
Peru
33
Expedition 1
Expedition 3
12 June
10 July
PP PP PP PP
Spending a total of 4 weeks in the Amazon. The first week is
spent attending lectures and training on survey techniques
(PP001), followed by the remaining 3 weeks assisting with
all the biodiversity research projects running (PP101).
Expedition 2
12 June
PP PP
Spending 2 weeks in the Amazon. The first week is spent
attending lectures and training on survey techniques
(PP001), followed by another week assisting with all the
biodiversity research projects running (PP101).
Expedition 1
Expedition 3
Amazonia research
“
I’ve had the best 4 weeks of my life
and will definitely be going on future
expeditions with Opwall.
“
Peru Research Assistant Options
Bethany Richard, University of Bristol
Biodiversity monitoring in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve
PP101 Research Assistants on this project will be based on the Rio
Amazonas or Pithecia research boats. There is a large team of mainly
Peruvian researchers based on the research boat with various research
programmes running. Research Assistants will assist on all projects over
the course of their expedition. There is a strong research atmosphere on
the boat with teams coming and going at all times of day and night on
various research tasks.
Expedition 2
Travel information
PP001 - Amazonian wildlife ecology: Combination of
lectures and practicals; guidance on how to survey and
identify a wide range of species in the Amazon.
at Iquitos Airport (Coronel FAP Francisco Secada
Vignetta International) on the Saturday before your
expedition begins, and to depart on the Saturday
after your expedition ends.
River research surveys:
■Macaw surveys
■Wading bird surveys
■River dolphin transects
■Turtle transects
■Fish surveys
■Night time caiman surveys
■Fishing bat surveys
Land/transect based surveys:
■Primates, large mammals and game birds
■Understorey birds
■Soundscape analysis
■Habitat surveys
■Amphibian surveys
In addition to these surveys there are dissertation studies where
assistance may also be required – for example assisting with behavioural
data observations on the primate species.
34
Peru
35
Peru dissertations and research topics
PP PP251 Diversity and functional trait responses of moths to natural
forest edges in the Peruvian Amazon (start dates 12 June or 26 June)
The megadiversity of tropical moths and their many important ecological
functions within forest ecosystems as pollinators, herbivores and food sources
for birds and bats make them an ideal bioindicator for studies looking at changes
along forest ecotones. The forest of the Pacaya Samiria Reserve is a dynamic
landscape with seasonal flooding constantly shifting the availability of different
forest types from the natural edge habitat of riverine forest, through flooded
forests (várzea) to the more central areas of levee forest often some kilometres
from the river. Functional traits of moths such as wingspan, wing shape,
adult feeding and larval feeding guild have been shown to affect the dispersal
ability of moths and hence their response to landscape level changes in forest
availability and composition. It may therefore be expected that a change not
only in diversity but in functional traits of moths along this natural ecotone may
be present. This project will involve running a series of night-time light traps
along transects from the forest edge to interior, monitoring the morphospecies
diversity of moths caught and measuring key functional traits such as wingspan.
Understanding how edge effects affect the diversity, functional traits and
community composition of moths will be useful not just in its own right but also
since moths make excellent bioindicators they may reveal changes occurring
at other points in the food chain, which may have implications for the Pacaya
Samiria reserve under future climate change predictions.
PP PP252 Fish community usage of different habitats in the Peruvian
Amazon (start dates 12 June or 26 June)
This topic could be developed in a number of ways. For example, one project
could compare fish communities in a range of habitats in the reserve, including
shoreline edge of oxbow lakes with connections to the main river still remaining,
open water areas of oxbow lakes still connected to the main river edge, open
water areas of oxbow lakes not linked to the main river and the main river
edge. Sampling could be done using 30m x 3m gill nets with 3 inch mesh and
fished for as close to one hour as possible. Replicate sites could be chosen
to represent these habitat types and multiple one-hour catches made at each
of these sites. Other projects could utilise the data sets from previous years to
compare changes in fish species composition and abundance. Additional topics
could use independent fish sampling techniques in the same habitats (throw
nets, small beach seine), to help identify the species selectivity of the gill nets
being used to exploit the fish community, as well as to quantify the size class
structure of the more common species. Another interesting study could look at
the distribution of fish in different habitats (e.g. under floating vegetation, river
edge, centre of the lakes etc.) by completing transects using a fish finder.
36
PP PP253 The role of floating vegetation mats in the Pacaya-Samiria
Reserve, in providing breeding habitat for amphibians
(start dates 12 June or 26 June)
The Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve contains a large diversity of amphibians
and some of the tree frog species (e.g. Hypsiboas punctatus, Dendropsophus
triangulum, Scinax garbei and Sphaenorhynchus lacteus and others) are
specialised to use the floating vegetation along the edge of the river, cut
off channels and oxbow lakes for breeding. One project could examine the
effectiveness of different techniques for surveying the communities on this
floating vegetation. The current survey technique consists of driving a boat
into the vegetation which then surrounds the boat and censusing the frogs in
a 2m radius around the boat. The calls of these frog species are mainly known
and analysis of calls could be used to estimate the communities on particular
patches of floating vegetation as a comparative survey technique. In addition the
type of floating vegetation used by adults of different species could be compared
to determine whether there is niche separation amongst the species.
PP PP254 Niche separation in caiman species
There are three caiman species (common, black and smooth-fronted) found
in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve. This topic could examine the habitat
usage and feeding ecology of the three species to identify how they separate
their niches. Spotlight surveys could be completed along the edges of the
main river and in a series of oxbow lakes within the forest, some of which are
still connected to the main river and others are totally separated during the dry
season. The species, estimated size and habitat usage of each of the caimans
observed during these surveys could be recorded. Animals smaller than 2m
would be captured by noose wherever possible and more detailed measurements
(e.g. length, weight, sex etc) recorded from these captured animals. Diet of
the captured caimans could be examined by flushing out the contents of the
stomach, filtering the regurgitated food and classifying the main constituents.
The high abundance of these species and the length of the survey season should
ensure a good number of data points for this study. In addition there are long
datasets available from previous annual surveys of the caiman against which
changes in abundance of the various species could be assessed.
PP PP255 Population trends and habitat preferences of pink and grey
river dolphins in the Peruvian Amazon (start dates 12 June or 26 June)
The pink dolphin Inia geoffrensis and grey dolphin Sotalia fluviatilis are endemic
to the Amazon rivers and function as indicator species for the general health
of aquatic habitats. Dolphins make an excellent indicator species because
they rapidly move out of polluted or degraded habitats and in turn quickly
indicate changes in the condition of aquatic systems. The dolphins are also
easy to count and observe since they frequently surface, are large-bodied and
very distinctive. The river dolphin population in the Pacaya-Samiria has been
monitored for several years using fixed-width transects along rivers, lakes
and channels via small boats. During these surveys, all dolphin encounters
are recorded noting the species, number of individuals, habitat in which the
dolphins were seen and the dolphin behaviour. Dissertation topics could
examine the health of the aquatic systems in the Peruvian Amazon by evaluating
population trends of the two species of river dolphin over time, or could focus
on habitat, behaviour and group size differences between the two species.
PP PP256 Estimating ground dwelling and arboreal mammal
populations in the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve
Transect count data on the levees (non flooded forest areas) and areas of forest
that are flooded are being completed. Each time a large mammal or game bird
(such as chachalaca, guan and curassow) is encountered along the transect
line, the species and number of individuals, the habitat type, the distance
travelled along the transect line, and the perpendicular distance of the animal
from the transect line are recorded. These data are used to calculate population
density estimates for each species in that habitat type using the distance
software program. These surveys provide good data on arboreal species and
some smaller ground mammals (e.g. agouti) but underestimate the larger
species (e.g. jaguars and other cats, tapirs, deer etc). A network of 20 camera
traps are being run to also gather data and using capture and density software,
these data can be used to calculate the density of species which can be
identified to an individual level because of distinctive markings (e.g. jaguars,
ocelots). The relative distribution of some of the other commonly encountered
species likely to be captured on these camera traps (e.g. red-rumped agouti,
pacas, red and grey brocket deer, tapirs, tayras etc) could also be described.
Comparing these estimates from the two methods though may indicate much
higher densities for the large ground mammals from camera traps and much
higher densities of arboreal species from the transect data. The historical data
from the transects can be used to assess the effects of the extreme flooding
events. Another way this project could be developed would be to compare how
ground dwelling species separate their niches.
PP PP257 Niche separation in tamarins, howler monkeys, squirrel
monkeys and other primates in the Peruvian Amazon
Multiple primate species can be found in rainforest habitats such as the
Peruvian Amazon. In order to combat competition associated with several
similar species living in close proximity, each species has evolved to occupy
a specific niche within the habitat. These adaptations include differences in
dietary requirements (frugivorous, folivorous and insectivorous primates),
preference for different habitat types within the forest (e.g. seasonally flooded
forest, upland forest and palm swamps) and variation in habitat use within
the same forest type (e.g. occupying different heights within the forest
canopy or variation in activity budgets). Twelve species of primates have
been recorded in the Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, but three species (red
howler monkeys, saddleback tamarins and common squirrel monkeys) are
frequently encountered along the survey transects and are therefore best suited
for dissertation projects. Upon locating a troop of one of these target species,
the monkeys will be followed for as long as possible, behavioural data can be
collected using instantaneous scan sampling and recording troop size, position
in the canopy and food preferences. Fruit samples may also be collected to
investigate species preference for colour and hardness.
Peru dissertations
37
South Africaoverview
Diving ✔ Bush ✔
Expedition length
2, 4, & 6 week options
Bush dissertation options6
Key facts l The Opwall site with the most abundant terrestrial
megafauna
lOpportunity to work on foot in a Big-5 reserve
lDiving in the UNESCO World Heritage site,
iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Research objectives
Operation Wallacea and our partners, Wildlife and Ecological Investments
(WEI), coordinate large-scale research programmes to provide an empirical
backbone for key conservation projects in South Africa. From evaluating the
impact of elephant range expansion back into their historical range, to assessing
the roles of protected areas as sanctuaries for persecuted free-ranging leopard
populations, the South African research programme is designed to assist
conservation managers with pressing large-scale issues that they do not
necessarily have the resources to address. In addition to the WEI collaboration
Opwall are also working directly with one of the best game reserves in South
Africa – Welgevonden – helping with scientific assessments of issues affecting
the management of this reserve.
Many of our current projects centre around the expansion of elephant
populations on the vegetation and associated diversity of key taxa. The South
Africa research programme covers a series of reserves across the country,
each using slightly different management strategies to tackle controlling their
elephant populations. The majority of big game areas in South Africa are fenced
in order to avoid the spread of disease and conflicts between communities
and dangerous animals. However, this restricts movement of species such as
elephants, which can lead to excessive habitat damage within reserves where
elephant feeding pressure is too high.
38
I loved it and would do it again in a
heartbeat – ended too soon.
Tiffany vera Tudela, University of
Massachusetts, Amhurst
Surveys will also look at the impact of management interventions when the
populations are deemed too high. In KwaZulu Natal, a project called Space for
Elephants is trying to persuade private game reserves to drop their fences to
create contiguous conservation areas. Private reserves constitute over 60% of
the protected areas in South Africa, so there is potential to reinstate some old
migratory routes if private reserves can buy into this programme. Thanda Game
Reserve has already dropped their fence-line with the neighbouring Intibane
property. Our teams have been asked to assess how elephants are utilizing their
new area and whether this is significantly impacting the ecology of the system.
In Pongola Reserve, where parts of the reserve are subjected to huge grazing
pressure, the elephants have taken the issue into their own hands by traversing
around fences at the local dam when water levels are low. Dropping fences not
only allows elephants to expand their ranges, but also affects the distribution of
other herbivores and predators. Long term data sets on the distribution of large
mammal species in most of the study reserves are also being gathered and are
revealing some interesting patterns. Our team in Pongola also investigate the
behavioural impact of contraception, in this case male vasectomies, to control
population numbers.
Facilities
Bush
Marine
ST Thanda
Accommodation for research assistants is a community camp just outside the reserve,
sleeping in dorm rooms or tents, there is a lecture and dining area. The camp is equipped with
electricity and hot running water.
SP Pongola
A small research centre has been built with twin bedded accommodation, communal shower
and toilet facilities. There is a shared living area, small lecture facility with electricity. Volunteers
based at Pongola need to prepare their own meals.
SB
Balule
SV
Limpopo Leopard Project
SW
SS Sodwana Bay
Accommodation is in tents
situated in a shaded bush
camp. There is a toilet
and shower block with hot
and cold water. Meals are
served in a separate dining
area which also serves as
a lecture hall.
Students will be staying in a large main camp, with electricity and a consistent supply of hot
water. There is a communal area where lectures and meals are taken, a small tuck shop, pool
and a lookout tower. Students here will be staying in single-sex 6-bed dormitories.
Students will be staying in dorm rooms or tents. Electricity and hot running
water is available throughout the camp. The reserve is home to a great
range of species including elephant, rhino, lion, leopard, hippo and
crocodile. Volunteers based at this reserve need to prepare their own meals.
Welgevonden
Home to over 50 different mammals, the reserve has never allowed
hunting and limits the number of guests to ensure minimal human contact.
Volunteers will be staying at the research centre within the reserve.
Accommodation is in large canvas safari tents with shared toilet and
showers. The camp has a central dining, living and kitchen area. Volunteers
based at this reserve need to prepare their own meals.
Other South African projects involve assisting the Panthera conservation
organisation with their Limpopo Leopard Project (LLP). This involves extensive
camera trapping in reserves in the Limpopo region, allowing estimations of
population densities of this poorly understood species.
“
“
The first question that needs addressing is how the carrying capacity of a reserve
for elephants is calculated. This is not a question of how many elephants an area
of land can hold before the populations starts to decline, because by the time
this stage is reached, the habitat would have been almost completely destroyed
by elephants. Rather, the term “carrying capacity” relates more to what the
acceptable levels of damage are to a particular habitat type. In addition, it is
important to consider the fact that elephants don’t spread out evenly over the
fenced areas but rather have preferred areas of feeding based on access to water
or preferred trees, such as Marula. Thus the definition of acceptable levels of
damage needs to be expressed in terms of percentage of total reserve area that
has certain defined levels of serious damage. Data are being gathered at a range
of elephant grazing pressures so that estimates of levels of damage for a reserve
with differing levels of elephant populations can be predicted.
South Africa
39
South Africa Research Assistant Options
Expedition 1
18 June
SB SS
This expedition involves spending a week in a bush camp
in the Balule reserve on the edge of the Kruger Park where
you will be taught the basics of tracking skills and will
help with the surveys of elephant impact and bird diversity
(SB102). The second week you transfer to the marine site in
Sodwana.
Expedition 1
Expedition 4
2 July
Expedition 2
Expedition 3
This 4 week expedition starts with completing the bush
training & savannah ecology (SV002). The next 3 weeks are
spent helping the camera trap survey, herbivore transects
and bird surveys (SV103).
ST ST ST SS
The 4 week expedition starts with bush training & savannah
ecology (ST001). The next two weeks are spent helping the
researchers with the elephant impact surveys, herbivore
transects and bird surveys (ST101). The final week is spent
in Sodwana.
Expedition 2
Expedition 3
Expedition 5
SV SV SV SV
18 June
9 July
30 July
SV SV
This 2 week expedition in a reserve in Limpopo starts with
completing the bush training & savannah ecology (SV002).
The second week is spent helping with the camera trap
survey, herbivore transects and bird surveys (SV103).
Expedition 4
230
231
Elephant impact and bird diversity
surveys ST101/SB102
232
“
No words can do this experience justice.
Ruby Chow, University of Guelph
On this project you will be helping to assess the impact of elephants on
vegetation, and any associate knock-on effects on bird diversity – an
indicator of overall biodiversity. Volunteers working on this project will
spend at least half their time in the field and will be accompanied by
experienced armed guards with a stand-by vehicle at all times, since
there is a high density of game. The survey provides a unique opportunity
for volunteers to join small survey teams completing surveys on foot
with armed rangers in big game areas and have wildlife encounter
experiences not normally available to visitors. Detailed measurements of
grass volume, tree and shrub size structure, percentage encroachment of
bushes and levels of elephant browsing on trees and bushes using the
Walker scale will be completed on study plots across the whole reserve.
In addition, early morning bird point counts will be completed to get a
better understanding of avifaunal diversity in the area and assess how
bird guilds are responding to variations in environmental conditions
and management practices. Students will spend their time in camp
completing an African wildlife conservation course which goes into much
more detail about how wildlife resources are managed and the major
conservation issues faced in the region.
Expedition 5
Bush training courses
ST001/SV002 - Bushcraft training, Savannah ecology:
The objective of this training course is to orientate students
in the African bush, to develop the skills and confidence
necessary to participate in surveys. Including field visits
together with in-camp lectures and practicals.
SS003 PADI Open Water - This course involves a
combination of theory lessons, confined water dives
and open water dives to gain an official scuba diving
qualification.
SS004 Indian Ocean Reef Ecology course - diving
SS005 Indian Ocean Reef Ecology course - snorkelling
environment.
Travel information
at Johannesburg Airport (O.R. Tambo International)
before 0800hrs on the Friday before your expedition
begins, and to depart after 2000hrs on the Friday
40
229
“
228
Limpopo Leopard Conservation
Programme SV103
On this project students will spend time assisting with three main
programmes. Firstly, groups will help in the field checking and
downloading pictures from the camera traps within the reserve. Data will
then have to be checked and processed in camp, and prepared to be sent
through to the big cat conservation group Panthera. Teams will also be
collecting data of large mammal distributions and habitat utilisation by
driving set game transects throughout the reserve. This data will then be
used to estimate population numbers and create predator/prey models
for the reserve. Finally, students will also collect data on bird diversity on
the reserve. This project provides students with an amazing opportunity
to work and live in a remote, tourist-free reserve on the border of South
Africa and Botswana.
South Africa
41
SP SP261 The use of behavioural studies to assist with management
decisions for a large elephant population in a small private game
reserve (start date 25 June)
Between 1979 and 2001 over 800 elephants were reintroduced to over 58
reserves in South Africa, Pongola Game Reserve being one of them. The
elephant carrying capacity for Pongola has been estimated at 37 animals but the
numbers are at over 80 individuals. In 2008, the Disney Corporation provided
funding for vasectomies of the mature bull elephants in an attempt to cap the
population. The dominant male in the population was deemed too old for a
vasectomy so instead was treated with a GNRH antagonist in an attempt to
suppress musth and thus prevent him mating. Unfortunately, the regularity and
quantity of the necessary GNRH antagonist was not sufficient to fully suppress
musth and this male continued to impregnate females entering oestrus on the
reserve, and as such the population continued to grow at a similar rate to before
the vasectomies.
Vasectomies do not affect male hormone levels and therefore should not affect
male sexual or social behaviour, although it is possible that females could
lose interest in vasectomised males if mating continues to be unsuccessful
and male-female associations could be affected. Towards the end of 2013, the
non-vasectomised bull was removed from the reserve. As this male was still the
dominant bull at the time of removal, the population has had to adapt. One of our
major investigations will now be to get a better grasp of the dominance hierarchy
on the reserve and see how the behavioural associations between elephants
is affected by the lack of recruitment to the population. Our project will also
investigate how females will associate with non-vasectomised adolescent males
and ascertain whether it is necessary to bring forward the vasectomies of these
adolescent males
Even if the population recruitment is completely stopped by the removal of the
GNRH-treated bull, the reserve still may have to deal with the more immediate
threat of such high present numbers on the reserve. If elephants are to be
removed from Pongola then it is important to identify which individuals to
remove that will result in minimal disruption to herd dynamics and reduce the
likelihood of ‘delinquent’ elephants in the remaining herds at Pongola. Data
relating to this decision will be twofold; ranging patterns and association indices
of the herds and bull elephants will provide insight into cohesive units that
could be removed in their entirety and rates of behaviour exhibited by the bull
elephants and their interactions with other herd members will determine which
of the bulls have developed the full suite of social behaviour required for the
‘policing’ of adolescents and maintaining herd cohesion (meaning that they
could take control of the population should other bulls be removed).
42
SP SP262 Calculating the carrying capacity of the Pongola Reserve for
elephant populations (start date 25 June)
One of the most pressing issues on the Pongola Reserve is the size of the
elephant population. Although the vasectomies should control the elephant
population in the long-term (see SP261), the landowners at Pongola are still
concerned about the immediate damage to vegetation caused by the high
density of elephants. Carrying capacity is famously difficult to estimate for a
game reserve – it is clearly not based on the maximum numbers of elephants
that the land can support before they start losing condition because the
elephants continue to thrive at double their estimated carrying capacity on
Pongola. Rather, carrying capacity for elephants relates more to the levels of
habitat damage that are acceptable. If that is the definition then what level of
habitat damage is acceptable and what density of elephants would result in
habitat damage only up to this level? Pongola offers an excellent opportunity
to collect quantifiable data on levels of habitat damage relating to density of
elephant usage of the area. The position of the elephant herds has been noted
virtually daily since 2008 and their usage of the reserve varies from areas with
very high levels of elephant usage to areas with very low levels of elephant
usage. The positional data could be plotted on GIS programs to calculate areas
of differential elephant usage and these areas sampled to quantify levels of
damage to shrubs and trees using the standardised Walker scale. These data
could then be used to help set elephant carrying capacity levels in terms of
how many would be sustainable to keep levels of habitat damage below predetermined levels (e.g. less than 20% of the area must have 40% or more trees
and shrubs in the top 3 categories of the Walker damage scale).
SW students will be divided into two teams, those working on the elephant
behaviour project SW263 will be working with a specialist elephant scientist.
All the other SW students will be working on the ecology team and will have
access to a specialist ecologist to complete a range of data collection activities.
The ecology vehicle is a shared resource so time is allocated to each of the
dissertation topics over the week, at times students will also be involved in
helping with data collection for other projects.
SW SW263 Social structure and behaviour of elephants in the
Welgevonden Reserve (start date 25 June)
In Welgevonden there are 120 elephants that have been contracepted to
prevent further increases in the population size. Welgevonden management are
considering removing the contraception in 2017 partly to assess whether herds
that are not being contracepted have different behaviour (there have been reports
of abnormal aggressive behaviour that may be associated with the contraception
usage and lack of young animals in the herds) and partly to allow the numbers of
elephants to increase. Before the contraception is removed though the behaviour
of the herds is being monitored for a year by a specialist elephant researcher
who will have individual identifications for each of the animals and determined
hierarchies and herd structure. This research opportunity allows a small group of
students to work with the specialist elephant researcher observing the behaviour
of identified individuals representing different levels in the male and female
hierarchies. Ethograms can be produced and compared with published data
on elephant herds that have not been contracepted. Another project could look
at the effects the elephants are having on the habitat structure. A number of
elephants have been tracked four times a day from satellite GPS collars since
2008 and these data can be used to produce contours of elephant usage in
the reserve. Measurements could be taken of grass volume, percentage cover
of shrubs, size structure of trees and levels of damage of each shrub and tree
using the Walker scale in areas with differing levels of elephant usage. These
data could then be analysed to provide valuable data on the impact of increasing
elephant numbers on the habitat structure.
SW SW264 Factors affecting the population size and distribution of large
mammals in the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve (start date 25 June)
The Waterberg Biosphere area contains nutritionally poor grass species which
hold a minimal grazing value for herbivores, which results in relatively low
carrying capacities of these species. Consequently, it is difficult to support the
population densities demanded by eco-tourist visitors to reserves, particularly
if reserves want to maintain sufficient numbers of large carnivores such as lion
that prey upon these herbivores. As tourism is a massive driver behind the
recent boom in land conversion from farmland to conservation in the region, it
is important to understand what factors are affecting the population dynamics
and distribution patterns of herbivores so that populations can be effectively
managed in the future. Welgevonden contains a wide range of herbivore species
including elephant, rhino, zebra, wildebeest, hartebeest, kudu, impala and other
antelope. The herbivore population is monitored each month using vehiclebased surveys throughout the reserve road system and annually using helicopter
census. During the monthly surveys, all visual encounters with the herbivores
are recorded, noting the GPS location of the animal, the species, condition
score, number of individuals, age-sex class of each individual and habitat type.
GIS maps showing the distribution of vegetation types, habitats, water courses
and man-made structures in the reserve have also been produced. In addition
to mammal surveys, students will assist with habitat surveys conducted at 40
different sites within the reserve as a means of assessing fire and elephant
impact on vegetation over time. Data collected during the 2016 field season
may be added to these long-term data sets to produce a range of different
projects focusing on individual species or multiple herbivore species. For
example, GPS points of target species can be uploaded on to GIS vegetation
maps to investigate distribution patterns and habitat preferences of the species.
Game count data may be used to investigate changes to species abundance
and survival rates over time in relation to environmental variables (temperature
and rainfall) or changes to habitat caused by fire and elephants. Alternatively,
methods comparison based studies could investigate differences in population
density estimates calculated from distance sampling during vehicle surveys and
total population counts from helicopter surveys.
SW SW265 The effects of habitat and fire management on winter bird
communities in Welgevonden (start date 25 June)
Each summer and winter for six years prior to the 2016 season, 40 sites across
Welgevonden Game Reserve have been surveyed for bird diversity through point
counts. At each of these sites detailed habitat assessments are conducted each
winter to assess spatial heterogeneity, dominant tree and shrub species, levels
of elephant impact and evidence of fire damage. Students on this project will
also have access to habitat and vegetation maps for the reserve as well as high
resolution aerial photography and extensive spatial data highlighting the areas
of all management and natural burns over the last three years. All of this data
can be used to assess the key factors affecting bird guild diversity across the
reserve. Additionally, satellite data for the region and derived environmental data
could then be used to determine ranges of the more common species and the
main habitat variables affecting their distribution. In addition, changes in bird
community structure over the last 6 years on the reserve could be determined
from this data set.
SW SW266 The effects of fire on invertebrate, reptile, bird and small
mammal communities (start date 25 June)
The Welgevonden Reserve has been subjected to extensive fires in the past, one
management method to control the impact of fires has been to use controlled
burning on a rotational basis in the reserve to reduce the amount of dead
vegetation. An alternative approach is now being proposed – to increase the
grazing pressure so that the levels of dead vegetation are far less anyway and
less management burns are required. However, even using this approach there
will still be a need for management burning of grazing meadows on a rotational
basis and annual burning to produce fire breaks in blocks of vegetation. Much of
this burning is done in May and June so this project will be working with a team
setting pitfall traps for terrestrial invertebrates and insectivores, completing point
counts for birds and standard search times for reptiles in areas that have been
burned at different times and in adjacent unburned areas and the data analysed
to help identify the impacts of fires on terrestrial invertebrates, reptiles, birds and
small mammals and the rates of recolonisation by these groups.
“
If you have never left home this is
definitely a trip you want to make.
I had an amazing time and the staff
were absolutely incredible.
“
South Africa terrestrial dissertations
Lisa Glutting, University of Waterloo
South Africa dissertations
43
Madagascaroverview
Expedition length
2, 4 & 6 week options
Key facts l 90% of all animals and plants found on
Madagascar are endemic to the island
lOnly 10% of original Madagascar forest
coverage remains
lUnstudied coral reef systems at Nosy Be
lWorld’s fourth largest island
Mahamavo research objectives
Madagascar boasts some of the most spectacular biodiversity in the world:
lemurs, tenrecs, baobabs and over half of all known chameleon species. Much
of this biodiversity is endemic. The Operation Wallacea surveys are completing
research on the dry forests and associated wetlands of Mahamavo in the north
and the reefs around Nosy Be Island.
In 2016 the Operation Wallacea teams will be completing a series of sample
routes across the Mahamavo forests. Data will be gathered on forest structure
and communities of key taxonomic groups including birds, herpetofauna
(reptiles and amphibians), small mammals such as tenrecs, rodents and
bats, and lemurs. The output from this work will be a report submitted to the
government of Madagascar and will provide a baseline against which changes
can be assessed in future years and to provide the information needed to
establish the forests as a Community Managed Protected Area for sustainable
use. Data collected will also be used by our local partners to look at ways to
link development of local businesses with the long term protection of the
Mahamavo forests.
Facilities
Forest
MM Mahamavo
Accommodation is in tents next to a building converted for
use as a field laboratory with a library, computers running
the biodiversity database and office, GIS, and statistics
software. There are jungle showers and toilets in the camp.
In addition to the camp at Mariarano, other tented forest
camps are also used as bases for the surveys in the more
remote parts of the forest.
Marine
MN Nosy Be
Accommodation is in tents next to the beach within the
walled area in an idyllic location. The research site has a
communal eating and lecture area with a small dive centre.
Nosy Be research objectives
Nosy Be is the premier dive destination for Madagascar but there are no data
available on the reef fish communities or health of the reefs. In 2014 Opwall
began completing surveys around the Lokobe Reserve area and anecdotal data
indicated that fish stocks and reef health had improved from previous years.
The team will be completing stereo video transect surveys of the reefs to collect
data on the reef fish community composition and biomass, the percentage
coral cover, coral community structure and levels of bleaching and disease on
the reefs.
The Mahamavo dry forest ecosystem and adjacent wetlands have exceptional
biodiversity. Diurnal lemurs include Coquerel’s sifaka (Propithecus coquereli),
and common brown lemur (Eulemur fulvus) with another 5 - 6 species of
nocturnal lemurs. Madagascar is the global centre of diversity for chameleons.
Two spectacular species are found in Mahamavo, Furcifer oustaleti and Furcifer
angeli. The wetlands support the critically endangered Madagascar fish eagle
(Haliaeetus vociferoides), a flagship species for the area and Humblot’s heron
(Ardea humbloti), an endangered species.
The Mahamavo forest provides livelihoods for several neighbouring communities
in terms of agricultural land, fuel and construction wood as well as some wild
food, hunting and medicinal plants. The wetlands in the coastal area support
fisheries, which constitute the main resources for coastal communities.
Madagascar
44
45
Below is a brief outline of all options available to students. For specific course and project
information please contact us or visit www.opwall.com
6 week forest only expeditions are available upon request and additional marine weeks can be added to Expedition 3 if desired.
Expedition 1
Expedition 2
19 June
19 June
Set expedition length: 2 weeks MM MM
Set expedition length: 4 weeks MM MM MM MM
This 2 week option gives you an experience of the endemic
Madagascan wildlife. The first week is spent on the
Madagascar wildlife and culture course (MM001) followed
by a week working with the biodiversity assessment teams
(MM101).
This 4 week expedition starts with a Madagascar wildlife and
culture course (MM001). The group will then spend 3 weeks
working with the different biodiversity research teams across
the Mahamavo forests (MM101). This expedition is the best
choice to gain a deeper insight into the day to day research
and to survey a variety of different habitats that exist in the
dynamic and complex Mahamavo landscape.
Expedition 2
Expedition 1
Expedition 3
Expedition 4
19 June
10 July
Set expedition length: 4 weeks MM MM MN
MN
The first week is spent on the Madagascar wildlife and
culture course (MM001) followed by a week working with
the biodiversity assessment teams (MM101). The final two
weeks are based at the marine research camp.
“
“
Once in a lifetime experience, you’ll
see things you can see nowhere
else in the world.
Sophie Turner - University of Exeter
Expedition 3
Expedition 4
An amazing experience - totally
unique animals, people, habitats and
opportunities to handle and learn about
critically endangered animals.
Fiona Bakke - Aberdeen University
Madagascar wildlife and culture course MM001
A series of lectures and practicals in the field to
demonstrate different ecological survey techniques being
used and how data from the surveys can be analysed.
MN002 PADI Open Water - This course involves a
qualification. This course must be completed if not already
dive trained and wanting to dive on the project.
Additional dive training - is available from PADI Advanced
onwards, for full details please contact us or visit opwall.com
MN003 Indian Ocean reef ecology course - diving
MN004 Indian Ocean reef ecology course - snorkelling
environment.
Travel information
at Antananarivo Airport (Ivato International) on the
Friday before your expedition begins, and to depart
on the Sunday after your expedition ends (after
1300hrs if ending at marine site).
46
Dry forest and wetlands biodiversity assessment MM101 This
option will be based either at the main camp in Mariarano or in one of
the even more remote satellite camps. By doing this option for multiple
weeks it will give you the opportunity of seeing a wide range of wildlife
and gaining a more in-depth knowledge of the ecosystems and species
of this remote part of Madagascar. There are a huge range of research
and survey teams that you can join. These include herpetofauna standard
search sample routes at both day and night for chameleons, geckos
and frogs. Boat-based spotlight surveys for crocodiles are also being
completed and there are specialist scientists working on colour change
in chameleons. Lemur survey transects are being completed both during
the day and also at night using spotlights. Additionally, there are other
teams studying and live-trapping the nocturnal lemurs to look at niche
separation in the various species. Bird point count surveys and mist net
surveys are also being undertaken as well as boat-based transects for the
water birds. Small mammal surveys using live traps are also conducted.
Forest structure and composition is surveyed through a number of 20m
x 20m forest plots with various indicators of forest physical parameters
recorded including diameter at breast height (DBH) of each tree, canopy
cover and sapling density. Volunteers can rotate between these survey
groups throughout their stay.
“
“
Madagascar Research Assistant Options
Reef fish and coral monitoring MN102 The team will be gathering
data on the Nosy Be reefs using a stereo video system developed by
the University of Western Australia. This system allows a surveyor to
swim along transects and video the fish encountered. Then in the lab,
by playing back the two video images on a single computer screen
using specialist software, not only can the images be freeze-framed to
accurately identify all fish encountered, but also size estimation can be
done to below 5% error. Benthic communities on the island reefs will be
surveyed by laying 50m tapes along depth contours. A surveyor swims
along the tape holding it in their left hand and using a video under their
other shoulder, filming the tape and adjacent corals. Coral cover and
community structure of hard and soft corals are then assessed from
lab based analysis of the video footage using the continuous method.
In addition, invertebrate belt transects will be used to monitor the
populations of key species including sea urchins. Volunteers on this
project will be helping with laying transects, collecting data in the water,
and completing the video surveys, but will also be heavily involved in the
analysis of the images in the on-site laboratory.
Madagascar
47
MM MM271 Spatial behavioural ecology of the Malagasy giant hognose
snake (start date 19 June)
The Malagasy giant hognose snake (Leioheterodon madagascariensis), is
Madagascar’s largest colubrid snake, attaining sizes greater than 1.5m in length.
This species has been documented engaging in ritual combat and active nest
defence, and a preliminary investigation suggests that the behavioural ecology
of L. madagascariensis is more complex than previously thought. For this project
all sightings will be recorded using a GPS receiver and all animals encountered
will be captured, measured, weighed and micro-chipped to allow individual
identification. Other novel methods may also be employed to investigate
the daily habitat usage patterns of each individual. All data collected will be
visualised and analysed utilising GIS software.
MM MM273 Thermal ecology and UV-B requirements of chameleons,
skinks and geckos (start date 19 June)
Ultraviolet light (UVB) is an essential requirement for vitamin D synthesis in the
skin of lizards, allowing the uptake of dietary calcium which is necessary for
proper bone growth and neurological function. There are also thermal demands
upon these animals in order for successful vitamin D production. This project
aims to investigate i) the thermal and UVB preferences of some of the lizard
species at Mahamavo and ii) how these species utilise their habitat to optimise
their exposure to the sun, and hence UVB irradiation, while thermoregulating.
Data will be collected by surveying routes for lizard species during daylight
hours. Once found, UVB intensity, measured using a solarmeter, temperature
and other habitat characteristics will be collected along with morphometric
measurements of the individual animals.
MM272 Ecology of amphibians in Mahamavo (start date 19 June)
Amphibians play a vital role in the ecosystems where they are found. Nine
species of amphibians are currently known from Mahamavo, some of which
occur in relatively high abundances, even during the long dry season. Data
for this project will be obtained by surveying rice paddies, ephemeral and
permanent ponds and lakes, recording all encounters, noting the species, the
number of individuals and the specific details of the immediate habitat where the
animals are found. All data collected will be used to create a monitoring system
for future studies whereby the species composition at each water body can be
monitored.
MM
48
MM MM274 Colour variability and the ecological use of colour in the
chameleons and geckos of Mahamavo (start date 19 June)
There are a wide range of endemic lizards in the dry deciduous forests of
northwestern Madagascar. Colour is used in fundamentally distinct ways by
the different taxonomic groups of lizards found in Mahamavo. Chameleons are
depicted in the media as solely using colour change for crypticity, but in reality
the main role of colour change here is in communication with other chameleons.
There is some interesting colour variability within Angel’s chameleon and
Oustalet’s chameleon as well. There are three species of Uroplatus geckos that
really do use colour and colour-change to maintain crypticity. One species is a
dead-leaf mimic, a second is a twig mimic and the third is a bark mimic. Colour
is variable within species and some change colour quite effectively. Phelsuma
are a third group of lizards in which there is substantial colour variability within
individuals. They respond to changes in lighting and temperature as well as
potential threats from predators. Questions regarding variation in colour and how
colour-change is being used can be addressed in all three groups of lizards.
Colour can be quantified through using standardized photographs or by using
a specialised reflectance spectrometer depending on the specific research
question being addressed. Analyses of colour can use general linear models
to examine variation in hue, saturation and value and look for statistically
significant differences or by use principal components analysis to examine and
compare entire reflectance spectrums.
MM MM275 Microhabitats and niche partitioning in chameleons, skinks,
geckos or snakes in Madagascar (start date 19 June)
The dry forests in Mahamavo support a very diverse reptile assemblage which
shares the same habitat. Competitive exclusion theory suggests that sympatric
species must partition their niches for them to persist and the reptiles in this
forest provide a great system to investigate how this occurs. In Mahamavo
there are two abundant chameleon species, Furcifer oustaleti and Furcifer
angeli. It is thought that Oustalet’s chameleon prefers more degraded forest to
Angel’s chameleon, but additionally these species may be selecting different
microhabitat niches in terms of height above the ground selected for feeding,
branch thickness, ambient temperatures or structural complexity of vegetation.
A similar situation exists with a pair of closely related skink species Trachylepis
elegans and Trachylepis gravenhorstii which are both very abundant in the forest.
It appears that T. elegans is more abundant in drier habitats than T. gravenhorstii,
but the picture is probably more complicated at the microhabitat scale. There
are also three species of leaf-tailed Uroplatus geckos: U. ebenaui, U. henekli
and U. guntheri which share the same cryptic adaptations and feeding strategies
yet differ markedly in size. With field data collected from a large number of
individuals, it would be possible to compare niches and identify factors which
separate species’ niches using principal component analysis, linear discriminant
models or regression trees.
MM MM277 Occupancy modelling for bushpigs and Indian civets with
camera traps (start date 19 June)
In the Mahamavo dry forest there are regular recordings of Indian civets Viverrica
indica and bushpigs Potamachoerus larvatus on the network of camera traps.
These data could be used to estimate population size by analysing the detection
histories of each species using occupancy models. This powerful approach
allows occupancy of sampling units (camera locations) over the course of the
season to be estimated taking into account the detectability of the species.
Estimates of population size using the Random Encounter Model could also be
made for these two species and the population estimates of the two methods
compared. In addition, a small number of sightings of other species including
fossa Cryptoprocta ferox and falanouc Eupleres major have been recorded over
the past two years. Estimates of their abundance could be obtained from the
ratios of sightings on the camera traps to the Indian civets and bushpigs which
would have estimated population sizes.
MM MM276 Niche separation and the impacts of disturbance on avian
communities in the dry forest (start date 19 June)
Birds are often used as indicator species for overall ecosystem condition, with
species from different ecological niches being impacted to varying degrees by
habitat disturbance. The avifauna of the Mahamavo forests contains a number of
restricted range species, and other species being restricted to particular habitats.
Students choosing this subject will undertake timed species counts and mist
net surveys to make comparisons between avian communities in different
habitat types and between differing levels of human habitat disturbance. Species
distribution models using the spatial records for a given species can then be
constructed and the percentage of the variability that can be explained by various
environmental covariates (e.g. elevation, climate, land cover) determined in
order to construct and validate a statistical model of the probability that a given
species will be found in a particular landscape unit. These models can then be
expressed as a habitat suitability map and the overlap between these species
used to determine the level of niche separation. These dissertation subjects will
contribute to our understanding of the avian communities of Mahamavo, and in
particular to determining the habitat preferences and relative impacts of habitat
disturbance on the bird species from different ecological niches and of different
levels of conservation priority.
“
I loved it! Everyone facilitated my
work so well. Love the people, locals,
staff, students, everyone!
“
Madagascar dissertations and research topics
Alice Thompson, Portsmouth University
Madagascar dissertations
49
MM MM278 Ecology and behaviour of nocturnal lemurs in the dry
deciduous forests of northwestern Madagascar (start date 19 June)
Lemurs are a highly diverse taxonomic group (>100 species) and at the same
time the most threatened group of mammals with about 94% of all assessed
species being categorized as either vulnerable, endangered, or critically
endangered. A total of six nocturnal lemur species have been reported from the
Mariarano area: Microcebus murinus, Microcebus ravelobensis, Cheirogaleus
medius, Phaner pallescens, Lepilemur edwardsi and Avahi occidentalis.
Nocturnal lemurs are generally much less studied than their diurnal cousins
but face the same anthropogenic threats. The aim of this study is to investigate
the ecology, behaviour, abundance, and spatial distribution of three different
nocturnal lemur genera Microcebus spp., Lepilemur edwardsi, Avahi occidentalis
in forest fragments in the Mahamavo region of northwestern Madagascar. Mouse
lemurs Microcebus spp. live in a dispersed neighbourhood system with animals
forming sleeping groups during day and foraging solitarily at night. Lepilemur
and Avahi are pair-living cat-sized lemurs, in which pair partners can be either
far (Lepilemur) or close to each other (Avahi) during night time. Natural habitats
in the study area consist of a matrix of wetlands, mangroves, riverine and dry
deciduous forest fragments which vary in size. Various forest trails and a 16ha
grid system (400m x 400m) allow access to the forest. Data collection will
involve capture-recapture surveys, systematic behavioural observations during
nocturnal survey walks or at certain locations of interest (e.g. stationary feeding
sites, sleeping sites and experimental arenas), and monitoring of focal animals
that are equipped with radio collars. Complementary data can be simultaneously
collected on the used microhabitats (e.g. substrate use and height above
ground), group size and behaviour (e.g. locomotion, feeding, flight response
and vocalization). Research questions could focus on the population ecology
of mouse lemurs in relation to distribution and habitat preferences of sympatric
species or the effect of climatic variables on activity, the behavioural ecology of
mouse lemurs in relation to intra and interspecific interactions and feeding and
sleep sites, or community ecology of lemurs in relation to ecological gradients.
50
MM MM279 Species distribution modelling in Madagascar
Distribution models allow a set of spatial records for a given species (from
our databases) to be integrated with maps of environmental covariates (e.g.
elevation, climate and land cover) in order to construct and validate a statistical
model of the probability that a given species will be found in a particular
landscape unit. These models can then be expressed as a habitat suitability
map. It will be possible for students to join one of the science teams and
contribute to collecting field data for lemurs, forest birds, wetland birds, or
reptiles and amphibians and then use our entire dataset to make models for a
set of species using either general linear modelling (GLM) or Maxent. Outputs
from these studies would be very helpful as the maps produced can feed directly
into our systematic conservation planning process and inform the management
of the Mahamavo region. High quality maps are also excellent communication
tools for explaining the significance of the site to decision makers.
MM280 Landscape ecology in Madagascar (start date 19 June)
By conducting biodiversity surveys we build up a knowledge base concerning
patterns in the environment. However, in order to make resilient conservation
plans for a dynamic future characterised by land cover change, climate change,
human population growth and infrastructure development, we need to be able
to understand the processes which are affecting the distribution and density of
species within the landscape. It would be possible to join the teams conducting
field surveys of lemurs, forest birds or reptiles to contribute to data collection,
then return to base camp and use our full database, linked to our spatial data,
to infer population processes from patterns of biodiversity. In particular it would
be very useful to test to what extent various species in a particular guild are
affected by patch size, edge effects, isolation and compactness and therefore
predict the likely consequences for biodiversity of habitat fragmentation in future
environmental scenarios.
MM
MM281 Community ecology in Madagascar (start date 19 June)
Which processes (including habitat and ecological interactions) structure
communities of forest birds, reptiles and lemurs in Mahamavo? In terms of
habitat, there is scope for comparison of primary and secondary dry forest and
exploration of the effects of gradients in moisture between relatively moist and
highly xeric forests. This might permit the identification of indicator species for
particular forest types. A more sophisticated approach would be to use Mantel
tests to test a suite of competing hypotheses about the environmental processes
which explain pairwise dissimilarity in the community of reptiles/birds/lemurs.
Pairs could be studied and differences investigated as a function of distance,
difference in environmental variables such as moisture, and difference in habitat
configuration. Additionally it would be possible to test whether ecological
interactions, especially competition, within a taxonomic group may be
structuring the community. This could be achieved by co-occurrence tests or
generalised dissimilarity models. For some groups, development of ecological
dissimilarity (ED) based monitoring indicators for environmental condition
which track communities through ecological space through time would be a
very promising direction to investigate. Alternative directions to take might be to
make distribution models and then maps of beta-diversity or to use numerical
classification to make maps of community types.
MM
Madagascar dissertations
51
Expedition length
Key facts l The Selva Maya (Mayan Jungle) is the largest
expanse of tropical forest outside of the Amazon
lThe Calakmul biosphere is one of the last
remaining stands of virgin forest in Mexico
lCalakmul is one of the two largest ancient Mayan
ruined cities
lBest chance of seeing endangered species like
jaguar and tapir
lAkumal has a huge number of nesting turtles
each summer and a permanent population of
Green turtles
The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve in Mexico is a huge expanse of tropical forest
that is part of the Selva Maya that encompasses Mexico, Guatemala and Belize
and spans over 10.6 million hectares, making it the largest section of tropical
forest north of the Amazon. This stretch of forest was also home to Ancient
Mayan civilization and the city of Calakmul was one of the largest cities during
the pre-classic and classic period of the Maya (250BC to 900AD). Today, the
extensive ruined cities lie sprawled through the dense jungle, with some of
the taller structures towering above the canopy at 62m in height. In addition,
Calakmul contains diverse and abundant wildlife with many endemic species.
The forest is one of the few remaining strongholds of large mammals such as
jaguar, puma, Baird’s tapir and spider monkey in addition to over 90 species of
herpetofauna, 50 species of bat, and 360 resident bird species. For this reason,
Calakmul is an UNESCO World Heritage Site of Culture and Nature.
Akumal is a small coastal town located approximately 2 hours drive south from
the major tourist destination of Cancun. The name Akumal literally means “home
of the turtles” in Mayan. It earned this name due to the numerous turtle nesting
sites along the beaches and the permanent presence of juvenile turtles in the
seagrasses just off shore. Prior to established tourism in the Yucatan, the only
real source of income was from fishing. The reefs were so heavily overfished
that the entire ecosystem almost collapsed. Moreover, sea turtles and their eggs
were a major food source rather than an attraction to be admired, resulting in a
serious decline in the turtle population. In an attempt to save the reef ecosystem
and provide alternative income for local people, dive and snorkel based tourism
was actively encouraged by the Mexican government. Tourism in the area has
steadily increased over the last 20 years, but now it has brought problems of
its own. More hotels are being built to accommodate tourists leading to loss
of important nesting habitat for turtles, loss of mangrove habitat that cleans
water and prevents sediment from washing onto the reef, and too many people
snorkelling with turtles.
There are long-term data sets relating to coral reef diversity and turtle nesting
in Akumal that are collected year-round. The Operation Wallacea research
team help to collect additional data. The main research objective for the
Akumal research project is to establish an annual monitoring programme for
coastal ecosystem management that includes monitoring of
tourist numbers and their use of the habitat, monitoring the
effect of snorkel based tourism on turtle behaviour, monitoring
water quality and Diadema abundance as a symptom of reef
deterioration, monitoring of seagrasses and the juvenile turtles
that feed on them, and monitoring of nesting turtles and the
availability of suitable nesting sites.
Facilities
Forest
Calakmul
YCK KM20, YCH Hormiguero and YCM Mancalona Accommodation is in tents,
with dry toilets and jungle showers and designated areas for lectures, data
processing and dining.
Dos Naciones is a remote camp with accommodation in hammocks with
integrated tarps and mosquito nets arranged around a campfire.
YCD
YCZ Zona Nucelo Sur is right in the heart of the core zone where camping is
not permitted so survey transects in this area are accessed by vehicle on a
daily basis from the KM20
Marine
YA
Akumal
Students are based in dormitories just a short drive
from the beach. There are flush toilets, shower
facilities, dining area and lecture room in the
compound. The site has a dive training centre and
water quality laboratory located at the beach.
“
Mexico is such an amazing place, the
biodiversity is incredible and the teaching
is exceptional. I learnt more about myself
as a person, the overall experience has
been life changing, so glad I embarked on
this adventure.
Rebecca Maguire,
Liverpool John Moores University
52
“
Mexicooverview
The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve is an extremely important wildlife corridor that
ensures gene flow between animal populations, and ensures that populations
can withstand natural disasters such as droughts, forest fires, hurricanes and
floods. Moreover, forest corridors are crucial for animals with extensive ranging
patterns such as jaguar and tapir. Although the reserve itself is very well
managed, the forest surrounding the reserve that connects Calakmul to the other
protected areas in the Selva Maya is disappearing at an alarming rate. The cause
of the problem is increased population size combined with an unpredictable
climate causing agriculture to fail. In conjunction with the reserve management
team and our project partners Pronatura Peninsula de Yucatan, we have
developed ecotourism and sustainable agriculture projects with local Mayan
communities in the buffer zone of the reserve so that they can live in harmony
with the forest ecosystem.
Mexico
53
305
Mexico Research Assistant Options
Expedition 1
13 June
The first week will be spent in YCK completing the Mayan
jungle ecology course (YC001). Groups then move to
YCM and spend a week assisting with biodiversity surveys
(YC101). After these two weeks the group move to YA
marine research base.
Expedition 1
Set expedition length: 4 weeks YCM
27 June
Set expedition length: 6 weeks YCM YCD
YCK YCM YA YA
Expedition 3
Expedition 2
11 July
YC YC YA
YCD YA YA YA
This 6 week expedition gives you the ultimate research
experience, enabling you to spend three weeks in the forest
followed by three weeks at the marine site. After completing
the Mayan jungle ecology course (YC001) in YCM , the group
move to the YCD assisting with the biodiversity surveys
(YC101). The final three weeks will be spent at the marine
site in Akumal YA .
Expedition 2
Expedition 4
13 June
YA YA
The first week will be spent in YCM completing the Mayan
jungle ecology course (YC001). Groups then split between
all remaining camps for the next two weeks of surveys
(YC101). The final week will be spent at the marine research
base YA .
Expedition 3
This marine only expedition can be completed either by
diving or snorkelling.
Introduction to the Ancient Maya and Mayan jungle
ecology course YC001 - Series of lectures and practicals
on how to survey and survive in the jungle.
YA002 PADI Open Water - This course involves a
qualification. This course must be completed if not already
dive trained and wanting to dive on the project.
307
308
309
Mayan jungle biodiversity surveys YC101 Surveys will be conducted
at different research locations in the reserve throughout the reserve,
which gives the opportunity to see how the forest and wildlife change
from the dryer northern sections of the reserve to the more humid forest
in the south. Habitat quality and forest structure surveys will be produced
by taking a range of tree measurements in survey plots. Biodiversity
assessment will focus on six key groups: butterflies, reptiles, amphibians,
birds, bats and large mammals. Butterflies will be monitored using baited
traps. Reptiles and amphibians will be monitored using pitfall traps and
diurnal active searches and nocturnal spotlight surveys along forest
transects. Birds will be assessed using point counts and mist netting
and bats will be monitored using mist nets. Large mammal surveys
are crucial for investigating the impact of legalized hunting of peccary
and deer on jaguar and puma abundance and ranging and estimate of
flag ship species such as tapir and spider monkeys. These surveys will
involve recording mammal sightings and mammal tracks encountered
along forest transects and data obtained from camera trapping throughout
the forest. If you wish to specialise in bats you will need a full course of
rabies vaccinations before joining the expedition.
Expedition 4
YA003 Caribbean reef ecology - diving
YA004 Caribbean reef ecology - snorkelling
environment.
Travel information
at Cancun International Airport before 1800hrs on
the Sunday before your expedition begins, and
to depart after 1600hrs on the Sunday that your
expedition ends if ending at the marine site or after
1800hrs on the Monday if ending at the forest site.
54
306
Marine ecosystem monitoring YA102 The beaches and seagrasses
in Akumal are a safe haven for a large sea turtle population. Tourism in
the area provides important income for local people and has virtually
eradicated problems with overfishing and consumption of turtle eggs.
However, Akumal is becoming increasingly popular with tourists and if
not managed correctly, the increased volume of people could lead to the
loss of important turtle nesting grounds and serious problems with water
contamination and sedimentation that damages the reefs and seagrasses.
The coral reefs in Akumal are undergoing phase shifts from healthy coral
dominated to macro-algal dominated benthic communities, reducing the
productivity and long-term resilience of the system. Operation Wallacea
are gathering the data necessary to determine the carrying capacity
of tourists in Akumal to ensure that the delicate marine ecosystem is
protected and sustainable income is generated for local people. Data
collection aims to determine the impact of tourism and water quality
on the seagrasses and reef system, to assess the relative importance
of Akumal beaches and seagrasses for sea turtle populations, and to
investigate the impact of snorkel based tourism on sea turtle behaviour.
In addition, the degree of coral cover and abundance of sea urchins and
key fish species on the reefs will be monitored as indicators of reef health.
Students participating in this monitoring programme will have an active
schedule that involves dive or snorkel based surveys to assess the reefs,
snorkel surveys for seagrass monitoring and green turtle identification
and nocturnal turtle nesting surveys to identify nesting preferences of the
different species. Students will also contribute towards data entry and
emergency beach clean ups to remove any obstacles (e.g. seaweed) that
could prevent the turtle hatchlings from reaching the sea.
Mexico
55
YA YA292 Immature green turtle foraging behaviour and seagrass
abundance in Akumal Bay (start dates 13 June or 27 June)
Immature green turtles naturally form large foraging groups and once a food
patch has been depleted they move to a new area. Limited availability of
seagrasses in the area means that this may not be possible for the turtles in
Akumal Bay and thus steps must be taken to sustainably manage the seagrasses.
There are three species of seagrass present in Akumal Bay: Thallassia
testudinum, Siryngodium filiforme and Halodule wrightii. Ongoing monitoring of
the foraging behaviour of the turtles has indicated a clear feeding preference for
Thallassia testudinum and unsurprisingly, ongoing monitoring of the seagrasses
has indicated a decline in the abundance of Thallassia testudinum. As with all
grazers, continual grazing of grasses encourages young shoots to grow and
prevents grasses from growing into successional stages when the content
of lignin in the plant becomes sufficiently high that the grass is no longer
digestible by the grazer. Siryngodium filiforme and Halodule wrightii seagrass
remain abundant in Akumal Bay, but as turtle foraging on these grasses has been
limited, the grasses have grown sufficiently long that they may no longer be an
available food source for the turtles. Investigation into the state of the seagrasses
in Akumal Bay and the feeding behaviour of the turtles is therefore necessary
to determine whether active management of the seagrasses (e.g. trimming
the Siryngodium filiforme and Halodule wrightii to encourage new shoots to
grow) is required to maintain a viable food supply for the turtles. Research
into green turtle behaviour will involve snorkelling with the turtles throughout
the day to record their foraging patterns. Seagrass quadrats surveys will be
used to determine the availability of the various species of seagrasses, which
can then be compared to turtle feeding preferences obtained from behavioural
observations.
YA290 Sea turtle nest site preferences and hatchling sex ratios
There are seven species of sea turtle in the world, all of which are either
threatened or endangered. The beaches of Akumal (meaning “home of the
turtles”) are nesting ground for two of these species: the loggerhead turtle
(Caretta caretta) and the green turtle (Chelonia mydas). One of the major
aims of the ongoing turtle conservation project is to ensure that the turtles
have access to suitable nesting sites on the beaches. In order to do so, it
is necessary to understand the nesting site preferences of the green and
loggerhead turtles and to ascertain the nest characteristics associated with
successful incubation. Investigation of turtle nesting will record the number and
location of green and loggerhead turtle nests, noting their distance from the
shore, habitat characteristics, their depth, temperature inside the nest, number
of eggs laid and number of successful hatchlings. As turtles are reptiles, the
temperature inside the nest during the incubation period determines the sex
ratio of hatchlings. Males are produced at lower temperatures that females
and with beach temperatures on the rise due to climate change, there is major
concern that sex ratios are highly female-skewed. It is not possible to determine
the sex of hatchlings without dissection, but sex ratios can be inferred from
mean nest temperature recorded on HOBO data loggers inserted into the nest
during nesting. Variation in likely sex ratios can then be linked to nest site
characteristics to determine areas of the beach that are able to produce males.
In addition, the sheer number of turtles attempting to nest in the Akumal area
results in turtles digging up existing nests on the beach due to a lack of space
to make new nests. For this reason it is necessary to relocate some of the nests
into beach hatcheries and thus careful management of the density of nests in
the hatchery and the amount of shade they receive to maintain correct nest
temperatures to produce balanced sex ratios of hatchlings.
YA
YA YA291 Effect of tourism on immature green turtle behaviour in
Akumal Bay (start dates 13 June or 27 June)
Year-round you can find immature green turtles (Chelonia mydas) feeding
on the seagrasses in Akumal Bay. These turtles have become a popular
tourist attraction and there is concern that both the number of tourists and
the behaviour of tourists is affecting the behaviour and welfare of the turtles.
Multiple studies of “swim with wild dolphin” based tourism has indicated that
when the number of tourists gets too high, or the tourists attempt to touch them,
the dolphins issue evasive responses to attempt to escape from the tourist and
if the tourism continues to maintain high numbers, the dolphins simply move
their home range to areas inaccessible by tour boats. As the availability of
healthy seagrasses in the Mexican Caribbean coastline is limited, the turtles in
Akumal Bay may not have the option of leaving the area to avoid large numbers
of tourists so the snorkel with turtle tours need to be strictly regulated. Research
into green turtle behaviour will involve snorkelling with the turtles throughout
the day to record their activity budgets and rates of evasive responses to tourists
using focal animal sampling with continuous recording. Each turtle can be
recognized individually and at the start of each focal sample the turtle will be
photographed from various angles for subsequent identification from the turtle
photo ID database. The number of tourists within a 5m radius of each turtle and
the behaviour of these tourists (whether they abide by the rules and maintain a
safe distance from the turtles or attempt to interact with them) will be recorded
throughout each focal sample to determine the effect of tourism on turtle
behaviour.
56
“
Refined so many skills I had learnt
in university. It was awesome working
with so many enthusiastic and
knowledgeable scientists.
“
Mexico marine dissertations
Jessie Vogt,
Grand Valley State University
YA YA293 The connectivity of reef and intertidal zones in the
Yucatan Peninsular (start dates 13 June or 27 June)
Seagrass and intertidal habitats play a fundamental role in coral reef health; it
is important to understand the mechanisms that connect these shallow water
habitats as few studies have considered how this habitat connectivity impacts
fish assemblages. Previous studies carried out on tropical marine habitat
connectivity in the Caribbean region tend to focus upon coral reefs; therefore
relatively little is known about the impact of habitat connectivity in intertidal
regions. This information can be very important in the implementation of
ecosystem management, which in turn is vital for the conservation of these
habitats that are threatened. Seagrass beds are a major feature in most tropical
tidal zones and provide important protection for adjacent reefs via sediment
entrapment. The seagrass beds in Akumal Bay are home to a large population
of sea turtles and the health of these seagrass beds is vital to maintain this
population. The connectivity of the offshore reefs, the shallow reefs and the
seagrass beds is critical to sustaining intertidal biodiversity and maintaining
a healthy ecosystem. This study would focus on benthic structure of reef
communities and adjacent seagrass beds as well as associated biodiversity and
fish biomass. The settlement of sediments on coral reefs is detrimental to their
health; studies will therefore look at the succession rate of sediments onto reefs
and entrapment in the connected seagrass beds.
Mexico dissertations
57
YC YC294 Bird diversity & distribution in relation to forest structure in
Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Mexico (start dates 13 June or 27 June;
need to have completed YC001)
The Calakmul Biosphere Reserve has extremely high bird diversity with over 360
resident bird species, many of which are endemic. Due to the traditional farming
methods of the Ancient Maya and their direct descendants living in the buffer
zone of the reserve, Calakmul contains a large expanse of old growth forest in
the core zone, and old growth forest and regenerating forests of various ages in
the buffer zone. In addition, there is a notable rainfall gradient from the north to
the south of the reserve that results in a gradual change in forest structure and
tree species composition. Diversity of forest dwelling birds generally decreases
with forest disturbance, but a study from one buffer zone community in Calakmul
unexpectedly found that both bird abundance and diversity remained constant
across regenerating forests of various ages and old growth forest. As the first
Mayan settlers arrived in Calakmul region before the forest appeared (the climate
was too dry to support forest until relatively recently), it is possible that the bird
population has evolved with the Mayan farming methods and thus the birds
have adapted to using all forest types. The abundance and diversity of birds
in Calakmul can be monitored using point counts and mist netting at multiple
research locations in the reserve. These data will be collected across a range of
transects in the reserve than encompass different habitat characteristics. Each
transect contains a number of 20m x 20m habitat survey plots that provide
detailed information of the forest characteristics in the area. In each of these
plots, tree species will be identified, tree DBH, understorey vegetation, canopy
openness, and the number of saplings will be measured. Bird data from each
transect can then be related to mean habitat characteristics for the transect and
comparisons between bird diversity and habitat variables may be investigated.
58
YC YC295 Herpetofaunal species distribution and niche partitioning in
Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Mexico (start dates 13 June or 27 June;
need to have completed YC001)
The herpetofauna of the Yucatan Peninsula is diverse and contains a high
percentage of endemic species that have evolved to adapt to the unique forest
habitat. Despite this, the herpetofauna of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve is
poorly studied. There is a notable rainfall gradient from the north to the south
of the reserve, which significantly affects tree diversity and forest structure. The
only source of water in the reserve comes from lakes known as aguadas. Some
are permanent, but the majority are temporary that form on low lying ground
during rainy season. This variation in habitat is likely to have a notable effect
the abundance of distribution of herpetofauna within Calakmul. Herpetofauna
surveys will be conducted at 5 different research locations within the reserve that
have notable differences in habitat type. Within each location, herpetofauna will
be surveyed using pitfall traps and diurnal and nocturnal active searching along
transects. Students will also assist with habitat surveys in which tree diversity,
tree DBH, understorey vegetation, leaf litter and sapling density are recorded in
a selection of 20m x 20m forest plots at each survey location. Research projects
could therefore investigate differences in herpetofaunal species assemblages
between different sites and in relation to distance from aguadas. These
projects could incorporate a wide range of species or could focus on specific
groups (e.g. anurans, lizards, snakes). Alternatively, projects could focus on
herpetofauna community structure in aguadas of varying sizes. These projects
would involve timed searches of the aguadas for amphibian species combined
with trapping surveys for lizards, snakes, turtles and crocodiles.
YC YC296 Large mammal abundance and distribution patterns in
relation to habitat characteristics and hunting in Mayan forest
(start dates 13 June or 27 June; need to have completed YC001)
Large mammal density at Calakmul Biosphere Reserve is very high and the
forest is one of the last remaining strongholds of endangered mammals such
as spider monkeys, jaguar and tapir. Although these species are not hunted,
indigenous people are allowed to hunt other large mammals such as peccary
and deer (which are the preferred prey of jaguar and puma). The tropical semideciduous forest in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve is unusual in that areas close
to Mayan Ruins contain unusually high densities of large fruiting trees (the
result of Ancient Mayan agro-forestry) in comparison to other areas. As there are
no rivers or streams in the reserve, forest structure is also heavily affected by
distance from the few permanent water sources in the reserve known as aguadas.
The aim of the large mammal research project is to investigate the relationship
between habitat characteristics and large mammal abundance and ranging and
to investigate the impact of hunting of preferred prey species on the abundance
and distribution of felids. Mammal abundance data will be collected along a
series of forest transects using distance sampling (based on visual sightings of
more commonly encountered species such as primates) and patch occupancy
sampling (based on tracks and signs of more elusive species such as tapir
and jaguar). Additional data will be collected using camera traps enabling
comparison of density estimates produced by the different types of surveys. The
survey transects are distributed across a wide range of forest habitat types and
each transect contains a number of 20m x 20m habitat survey plots. In each
of these plots, tree species will be identified, and DBH and tree height will be
measured. Large mammal data from each transect can then be related to mean
habitat characteristics for the transect and comparisons between mammal
abundance and habitat variables may be investigated.
YC YC297 Spider monkey grouping patterns, habitat use and behaviour
(start dates 13 June or 27 June; need to have completed YC001)
Spider monkeys are frugivorous primates that live in complex societies
characterised by high degree fission-fusion dynamics whereby members
of the same community are rarely all together and spend their time in fluid
subgroups that constantly change in size and composition. Subgroup size is
adjusted to food patch size and when fruit is abundant the spider monkeys
can be found in large groups. Group size and composition can have a notable
effect on activity budgets, ranging and social interactions, particularly as there
are notable sex-differences in the quality of social relationships and the type
of social interactions exchanged by males and female. A large community of
spider monkeys in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve has been studied each
summer since 2013. The summer months are associated with the onset of
rainy season and high fruit production resulting in large subgroups of spider
monkeys. However in 2014 the reserve suffered a severe drought and during
this time virtually no fruit was available. Using the long-term data set students
can investigate changes to ranging patterns, subgroup composition and the
associated effect on rates of social interactions in relation to rainfall patterns
and food availability. Another project could focus on spider monkey activity
and habitat use. Spider monkeys can have large home ranges that encompass
different forest types, but it is not clear if they use all forest types for food and
shelter. An investigation of how spider monkeys use the different forest types
will determine whether spider monkey populations could survive in disturbed
areas with limited availability of high forest. Activity budget data will be recorded
using instantaneous scan sampling, noting the behaviour of each individual in
view, the GPS location and forest type. Subgroup composition will be recorded
in real time throughout the day and all occurrences of social interactions will be
recorded noting the individuals involved, behaviour and context.
“
My time with Opwall has been so much more
than I expected and I have learnt so much. It
is an eye opening experience into the world of
real scientific data collection but my time here
has allowed me to grow as a person, make
friends with so many amazing people and
experience real jungle life.
“
Mexico forest dissertations
Megan Chitty, University of Birmingham
YC YC298 Bat abundance, diversity and distribution patterns in relation
to habitat characteristics of Mayan forest (start dates 13 June or 27
June; need to have completed YC001)
Bat abundance in the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve is very high due to the
presence of multiple caves that act as roost sites. There are over 90 bat species
that occur in tropical Mexico, but the presence of the majority of these species
in Calakmul remains unclear due to lack of standardized studies. Moreover, bat
diversity is unlikely to be uniform throughout the reserve due to changes in the
habitat resulting from vicinity to ruins sites (Mayan ruins contain unusually high
densities of large fruiting trees as a result of Ancient Mayan agro-forestry) and
the limited water supply in the reserve. Students will investigate bat abundance
and diversity using mist net surveys in conjunction with bat detectors that record
bat vocalizations. These combined methods will provide data on the carnivorous,
frugivorous and nectivorous bats that are frequently caught in the nets and the
insectivorous bats that have such fine-tuned echolocation that they can detect
mist nets and are therefore virtually impossible to capture. These data will be
collected across a range of transects in the reserve that encompass different
habitat characteristics. Each transect contains a number of 20m x 20m habitat
survey plots that provide detailed information of the forest characteristics in the
area. In each of these plots, tree species will be identified, tree DBH, understorey
vegetation, canopy openness, and the number of saplings will be measured. Bat
data from each transect can then be related to mean habitat characteristics for
the transect and comparisons between bat diversity and habitat variables may be
investigated.
Mexico dissertations
59
Field camps Temporary camps are established throughout
this part of the expedition. Accommodation will be in
hammocks with bashas and integral mosquito nets. There
are temporary field toilets and washing will be done in the
rivers.
Georgetown
This is the most remote and one of the toughest Opwall
expeditions but probably the one with the best sightings
of forest based animals.
New Amsterdam
Iwokrama Research Centre
Iwokrama
Burro Burro River
Surama
Lethem
Apoteri
Bina Hill
Karanambo
Rewa
r
ibo rive
Essequ
Operation Wallacea has formed a partnership with the Iwokrama International
Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development (IIC), and the Amerindian
community of Surama. The IIC manages one million acres (371,000ha)
of undisturbed forests in the centre of the country. The IIC represents
an international partnership between Guyana and the Commonwealth to
demonstrate how tropical forests can be sustainably used in the interest of
global scale climate change, local communities, and biodiversity conservation.
An annual monitoring programme providing equal coverage of the SUA and WP
parts of the Iwokrama Forest as well as the forests surrounding Surama Village
has been initiated, and is being completed by the Opwall survey teams. The
purpose of this monitoring is to provide long-term data sets on the abundance
and diversity of key biodiversity taxa so that the impacts of sustainable use
within Iwokrama and the forest surrounding Surama can be identified in
comparison with the non-utilised wilderness areas.
Guyana
river
Rewa
The Operation Wallacea expeditions are working in Guyana - an English
speaking country with some of the most pristine remaining forests, savannahs
and wetlands. The expeditions involve trekking through undisturbed forests,
where sightings of jaguar, tapir’s, giant otters, harpy eagles and many other
charismatic South American species are common.
Iwokrama river lodge Accommodation is in dormitories
with communal bathrooms. There is a well-equipped
research centre with a lecture room and restaurant
overlooking the river.
Demer
ara river
Research objectives
The Guiana Shield in South America is a massive granite dome that formed 2
billion years ago and forms what is now Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and
parts of Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil. Throughout most of this area there
is a low human population density and as a result 2.5 million km2 of tropical
rainforests still remain largely untouched along with extensive savannas and
wetlands .
GI
Essequibo river
Key facts l Part of the Guiana Shield - a huge expanse
of undisturbed tropical rainforest
lOne of the most diverse ecosystems on the
planet – and a good chance of seeing Neotropical
megafauna
lMost remote of the forest expeditions
Forest
Rupununi river
Forest ✔ Diving ✘
Expedition length
2, 4, & 6 week options
Facilities
North Rupununi Wetlands
Kanuku Mountains
Rupununi Wetlands
“
A fantastic opportunity to work in the tropics.
Daniel O’Neill, University of Sheffield
“
Guyanaoverview
Surama Village, a Makushi Amerindian community which has a vision to
develop, own and manage a community-based eco-tourism business by using
the natural resources and their traditional culture in a socially appropriate
manner. Protection of rainforests is a matter of ensuring that surrounding
communities can have a financial benefit from conservation of those forests and
this is the basis of many of the REDD+ type data collection monitoring projects
being run by Opwall where funds are raised through preservation of the carbon
content of the forests. However, an alternative approach is to sustainably exploit
the timber in the forest using a reduced impact logging protocol developed by
Iwokrama so that communities can have financial benefits but the biodiversity
of the forest can be maintained. Just under half of the Iwokrama Reserve has
been designated for Sustainable Use. Within this area a 60 year rotation has
been agreed where approximately 1% of the trees in the blocks to be logged
are removed with detailed planning so that the cut and skid trails to remove the
timber, have minimal impact. This level of cutting for the most part allows the
canopy structure and overall age structure of the trees to be maintained even in
the harvested blocks, but since the trees removed are the high value commercial
species, it generates substantial income for the local communities. This is a
very impressive harvesting system and if it can be demonstrated to have short
term and minimal impacts on biodiversity whilst at the same time generating
much of the income that would have been achieved from much less sensitive
ways of harvesting, then this approach may have much wider applications
worldwide. The Opwall teams are helping to provide detailed and verifiable
data sets on target biodiversity taxa in the Iwokrama forests both to examine
the impacts of selective logging but also to quantify long term changes in the
biodiversity of the forests.
Guyana
60
61
339
Guyana Research Assistant Options
Expedition 1
21 June
GI GI GI GI
This 4 week expedition gives students a perfect mix of
training, lectures and hands on field experience. Following
a three day jungle training and ecology course (GI001),
students will move to one of the forest camps, during
the expeditions research teams will complete six days of
biodiversity surveys at camps in each of the regions of the
forest. Groups will also have the opportunity to complete a
river based mobile survey through the heart of the forests
and live in temporary camps for 3 days (GI102).
Expedition 2
Expedition 3
Expedition 4
12 July
19 July
26 July
GI GI
Following an introductory three day jungle training and
ecology course with lectures and practicals (GI001), the
teams will move to one of the forest camps where they
will be based for the next 6 days. The group will complete
biodiversity surveys (GI101) on a wide range of taxa whilst
assisting the main survey effort.
Expedition 2
Expedition 3
Expedition 4
Expedition 1
Travel information
Jungle training and Guiana Shield forest ecology
course GI001 - the course is designed to prepare students
for living and working in the forest and how to be of
practical use in the surveys. Skills in learning how to live
safely and healthily in the tropical forest in hammock based
camps will be gained.
at Georgetown Airport (Cheddi Jagan International)
before 2200hrs on the Monday before your
expedition begins, and to depart on the Tuesday that
your expedition ends.
340
341
342
343
Iwokrama forest biodiversity survey GI101 These surveys are being
completed at a series of camps across the Iwokrama and Surama forests
and include:
■Bird surveys: Helping an experienced ornithologist with collecting
data from mist net captures from dawn to midday. All birds captured
are measured, data taken on moult and breeding condition to determine
breeding cycles. In addition, soundscape recordings from a series of
digital sound recorders at each site are collected and analysed
in camp.
■Herpetofauna surveys: Assisting an experienced herpetologist with
standard search scan samples for reptiles and amphibians. In the
evenings transects will be completed to record the soundscapes and
these recordings will be analysed by the herpetologist for amphibian
diversity and relative abundance from the calls and by the ornithologist
for nocturnal birds.
■Dung beetle surveys: Helping with installing and emptying baited pit
fall trap arrays to quantify the dung beetle communities since these are
excellent indicators of forest changes.
■Large mammal surveys: Helping to check and download data
camera traps that have been left for up to 12 months around the
various camps. The groups are involved in analysis of the images
and these data are used to assess ground based mammal abundance
including the big cats and herbivores such as tapirs, deer and agouti.
In addition the students will be completing transect surveys to collect
data on primate abundance which will not be sampled by the camera
traps.
■Bat surveys: Mist nets run for standard periods of time and are
being used to quantify the bat communities. Volunteers who have had
their rabies vaccinations will be able to help with processing of the
captured bats. In addition soundscape recordings are completed to
assess the bat species flying too high for the mist nets.
■Forest structure and dynamics surveys: Helping a forest ecologist
with quantifying the forest structure of permanent monitoring plots.
These data are re-used to quantify changes in the forest.
■GI102 Burro Burro river surveys: For 3 days between completion
of forest camp surveys the teams will be helping on a river based
survey on the Burro-Burro River through the heart of the Iwokrama
rainforest. The purpose of this trip is to gather standardised data on
the giant river otters, caiman, anaconda and water birds.
62
Guyana
63
Guyana dissertations and research topics
GI GI302 Comparison of sound recording and spotlighting for assessing
amphibian communities (start date 21 June)
Amphibian surveys are being completed by recording sounds along
transects and the frog calls on those recordings identified by an experienced
herpetologist. How does this technique compare with the more traditional
spotlighting and capture surveys – is there an impact on species diversity
detected or on the relative abundance of those species? Data from spotlight and
capture surveys could be compared with the soundscape transects. How do
rainfall patterns affect the detectability of amphibian species? Another aspect of
this project could look at habitat elements that are significantly associated with
the distribution of various species and since sampling will be completed across
a range of habitats and forest types in Iwokrama, MAXENT modelling could be
completed to construct species distribution models for the amphibian species.
64
“
Trip of a lifetime, everything I’ve
experienced will stay with me and
has provided an irreplaceable base
for me to take into the future.
Nathan Van Cooten,
University of Reading
“
GI GI301 Analysis of sound landscapes to assess bird communities in
tropical rainforests (start date 21 June)
In 2015 sound recording was completed from pre dawn to mid-morning at a
series of sites around Iwokrama and surrounding forests. The recordings were
then being analysed by an experienced ornithologist and the birds calling
identified so that the software could be ‘trained’ to automatically recognise calls
of the majority of species encountered. It is claimed that soundscape analysis is
a much more efficient method of assessing forest bird communities and also has
the advantage of producing verifiable records of the species identified. In 2016
this sound recording is being completed at each of the sites again and these
data sets could be used to answer a series of different questions. For example, if
replicate point counts were completed at each of the recorded sites how would
the results compare? Detailed data on the forest structure surrounding each
sound recording site are being collected and these data could then be used to
determine which habitat factors were significantly affecting the distribution of
particular species. Another option would be to assess the order of the dawn
chorus. It has been claimed in European studies that the order that birds call in
the dawn chorus is a function of eye size with the larger eyed species calling at
lower light levels. Can a trend like this be determined from the Guiana Shield
forests? Alternatively questions such as how the bird communities have changed
between the two years studied or the impact of Reduced Impact Logging on bird
communities could be addressed.
GI GI303 Changes in large mammal and bird communities in the
Iwokrama forests from 2010 – 2016 (start date 21 June)
During the 2015 survey season camera traps were established at a series of
sites across the Iwokrama Reserve and surrounding forests with differing levels
of human disturbance and hunting pressure to collect data on ground mammal
diversity and abundance. These cameras are being checked regularly until
the start of the 2016. The data from these cameras could be analysed using
CAPTURE and DENSITY software to calculate the density of species which can
be identified to individual level because of distinctive markings (e.g. jaguars,
ocelots). The relative distribution of some of other commonly encountered
species likely to be captured on these camera traps (e.g. red-rumped agouti,
pacas, red and grey brocket deer, tapirs, tayras etc) could also be described and
notes made on the capture of less commonly encountered species (bush dog,
capybara, giant anteater, giant armadillo) and linked to levels of hunting and/
or forest type. Transects in 2016 are also being completed for counts of primate
species encountered and the habitat types being used by different species.
In addition since 2010, Iwokrama has been completing monthly river surveys
(500m drift surveys) at 2 sites on the Supuruni River, 2 sites on the Burro Burro
River and 5 sites on the Essequibo River. Surveys of large mammals (giant river
otters and other species spotted on the banks) have been completed on these
three rivers between the sample points. Over this same time period there have
also been 500m transect surveys completed monthly on sites along the road
that runs through the reserve and records of large mammal sightings (large cats,
tapirs, deer etc.) whilst driving between these sites have been made as well as
from visits to nearby borrow pits which are used by mammals as water sources.
There are a whole series of different questions that could be answered by
utilising different aspects of the long term monitoring data and the camera trap
and primate transect data gathered by the Opwall teams.
Guyana dissertations
65
Diving ✔ Forest ✘
Expedition length
Key facts l Cuba, one of only 5 remaining communist states
in the world
lOpwall’s sole marine only expedition
lOpportunity to work on shark, manatee and
turtle projects
lThere are 700 islands that make up the Bahamas,
yet only 30 are inhabited
The islands of Cuba and the Bahamas form a significant area of the greater
Caribbean and contain some of the region’s most extensive coral reef systems
along with linked seagrass and mangrove habitats. Operation Wallacea has
partnered with two research groups to focus efforts on two core areas: (1) the
long-term resilience of coastal habitats in the region in the face of a combination
of anthropogenic and natural stressors, and (2) the current status and
conservation forecast of marine megafauna.
In Cuba, Operation Wallacea and the Centre for Marine Research at the University
of Havana (CIM-UH) have developed a long-term collaborative partnership to
implement a biodiversity monitoring programme in the south of the Isle of Youth
(Isla de la Juventud), the largest island off the coast of Cuba. With the western
end already designated as the Punta Frances National Park, the entire area is
now being proposed as a Sustainable Use and Protected Area (APRM) due to
its significant importance to biodiversity. Research assistants will join a team
of Cuban scientists to complete fish and benthic surveys of reefs along the
southern Isla de la Juventud APRM, explore the ecology of invasive lionfish and
assess the local manatee population in the nearby mangrove system. Data will
Incredible experience with incredible
people, so much to see and to learn!
10/10 would recommend.
Kailee Scott, University of Guelph
66
“
“
In the Bahamas, Operation Wallacea have partnered with the Cape Eleuthera
Institute (CEI), based at The Island School on the island of Eleuthera. CEI was
established in 2006 to address environmental issues facing the Bahamas
and the wider Caribbean region and research is targeted towards a series of
themes led by CEI’s team of scientists based permanently on site. Dissertation
students will work alongside CEI scientists to collect data not only for their
own independent research projects, but to contribute to the larger research and
conservation objectives of the Institute.
Facilities
Marine
CP Colony Hotel and Felipe Poey Research Ship,
Cuba
Research assistants in Cuba will split their time between
the 3 star Colony Hotel and the Felipe Poey liveaboard
research ship. The Colony Hotel has air conditioned rooms,
a swimming pool, showers and all the luxuries you would
not expect on an Operation Wallacea research expedition!
The University of Havana research ship (a converted fishing
boat) the Felipe Poey has berths below deck, although
most choose to sleep under the stars on deck, it has a
flush toilet and a basic fresh water shower, as well as solar
panels to charge the batteries for radio communication.
After an initial week of training, research assistants will
spend time each week on the Felipe Poey.
BA The Island School and Cape Eleuthera Institute,
Bahamas
Dissertation students will be based at the Cape
Eleuthera Institute (CEI), which forms part of The Island
School. Based on a small campus on the southwest
tip of Eleuthera, the facilities have been designed with
sustainability in mind, including on site power generation
and water harvesting combined with innovative waste
management strategies. Students will be based on
campus throughout their stay, living in shared dorm
accommodation. The campus has a fleet of boats and road
vehicles to access research sites, as well as impressive wet
and dry laboratory facilities.
“
Life changing trip, I don’t want it to end.
Csilla Vasarhelyi,
Vancouver Island University
“
Cuba & Bahamasoverview
be used to inform conservation management practices across the entire southern
island APRM.
Cuba & Bahamas
67
373
Cuba & Bahamas Research Assistant Options
Set expedition length: 4 weeks CP
17 June 2016
Expedition 2
Set expedition length: 2 weeks CP
CP CP CP
This expedition starts with dive training and reef ecology
course (CP001 & CP002/3). The remaining three weeks
you will be able to become part of the analysis team for
the stereo video and coral intercept surveys and will also
be able to complete dives on a much wider range of reefs,
while assisting the research projects (CP101).
29 July
CP
Students will learn to dive and complete the ecology course
(CP001 & CP002/3). The reef ecology course focuses on
species identification, survey techniques, and coral reef
ecology to give you the training needed to join the research
projects. Students spend their second week assisting with
the research projects (CP101).
Expedition 1
Expedition 2
Training courses
Travel information Cuba
CP001 PADI Open Water - This course involves a
qualification.
at Havana Airport (José Martî International) on the
Wednesday before your expedition begins, and to
depart on the Friday after your expedition ends.
CP002 Caribbean reef ecology - diving
CP003 Caribbean reef ecology - snorkelling
Travel information Bahamas
environment.
375
BA BA311 Bahamian reef health assessment and restoration
Coral reefs worldwide are in decline, with Caribbean reefs particularly impacted.
The loss of live coral is due to direct human disturbance in addition to several
catastrophic events including the mass mortality of the Caribbean long-spined
sea urchin (Diadema antillarum), which played a key role in maintaining the
balance between algae and live coral cover, and the spread of white-band
disease, a bacterial infection. Caribbean elkhorn (Acropora palmata) and
staghorn (A. cervicornis) corals are critically endangered yet are traditionally
the most dominant framework building corals in the region. The most recent
catastrophe is the invasion of the Indo-Pacific lionfish. The effect of predation
by lionfish significantly decreases the abundance and species richness of
juvenile economically and ecologically important native fish, and has indirectly
facilitated the spread of macroalgae on coral reefs, which has led to devastating
phase shifts. Assessing the health of reefs of the Bahamas and the effectiveness
of potential restoration techniques is integral to inform conservation
management of these ecosystems. Projects will holistically assess reefs around
Eleuthera and determine the success of restoration interventions with particular
focus on coral cover, grazer abundance and the presence of invasive lionfish.
Alternatively, projects could focus on particular species and examine spatial
and temporal changes using data collected previously by The Cape Eleuthera
Institute.
■Reef Fish surveys: This project involves diving to complete stereo
video surveys of the reef fish communities. Once video data have
been collected the students are involved in the identification and
measurement of the species from analysis of the video.
■Coral surveys: Diving to complete video line intercept surveys on
the reefs. In the lab videos are analysed by the students to identify the
benthic organisms intercepting the line and total coral and macroalgal
cover at each site.
■Macroinvertebrate surveys: Diving to complete 5m wide
belt transects to identify the distribution and abundance of key
macroinvertebrate species (e.g. urchins, sea cucumbers, lobsters etc.).
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BA313 Juvenile turtle ecology (start date 27 June)
Sea turtles are long-lived marine reptiles that spend the majority of their lives
at sea. They have survived for millions of years but recently have succumbed to
anthropogenic threats that could lead to their eventual extinction. The Bahamas
are home to four of the world’s seven sea turtle species and, traditionally
harvested by local fishermen for their rich meat, have historically provided a
valuable source of income to fishermen, and an important food source to island
people. Overexploitation and habitat loss have caused all four species to be
recognized as endangered or critically endangered and subsequently listed on
the IUCN Red List. In response to these severe declines in population numbers,
the government passed legislation giving full protection to all sea turtles found
in Bahamian waters in 2009. It is now illegal to harvest, buy or sell any marine
turtle products, yet habitat loss through coastal development remains a major
concern, particularly for juveniles. This research aims to investigate the spatial
dynamics of immature green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles
(Eretmochelys imbricata) within foraging grounds around South Eleuthera,
Bahamas. The goal is to elucidate the processes of site selection, movements
and site fidelity, resource use, and interactions between individuals within
foraging grounds. Identifying these fine-scale patterns will contribute to a better
understanding of habitat use within discrete aggregations of foraging sea turtles,
and identify essential habitat for these endangered species.
BA
BA314 Flats ecology and conservation (start date 27 June)
Shallow water flats and mangrove forests play an integral role in maintaining
healthy nearshore marine ecosystems. Flats ecosystems are of high economic
and ecological importance to the Bahamas, acting as nursery grounds for
juvenile and commercially important reef fish, suppressing the impact of
storms on coastal habitats and settlements, and harbouring sportfish such as
bonefish, barracuda and sharks. Flats and mangroves, however, are under heavy
threat from coastal development and anthropogenic-induced changes to the
environment. The goal of this programme is to connect research with education
and outreach to share and further our understanding of ecological processes and
anthropogenic stress on the Bahamas’ nearshore shallow water environments.
Specific areas of research include fish physiology and behaviour, telemetry,
mark recapture, and ecosystem monitoring and rehabilitation.
BA
You need to book your international flights to Nassau
International airport in the Bahamas to arrive on the
Monday of your expedition start date and to book
the return on the Saturday after 1200hrs at the end
of your expedition.
Reef fish, benthic communities, sharks and manatees in the
Southern Isla de la Juventud APRM CP101 Students joining this
option will rotate between the following projects, for those students
spending 4 weeks on expedition, there may be some scope for
specialisation, depending on numbers and logistics.
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Bahamas dissertations and research topics
Expedition 1
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■Shark tagging: In the evening on the Felipe Poey long lines are set
and in the early morning these long lines are checked for sharks. All
captured sharks are measured and tagged before being released.
■Lionfish surveys: This involves dissections of captured invasive
lionfish specimens to examine size class structure, stomach contents,
and other morphological characteristics.
■Manatee surveys and capture: The manatee surveys are conducted
in the mangrove channels and lagoons using side scan sonar surveys
and observational transects. The position of all sighted manatees are
logged and environmental data collected. In addition, the movement
of manatees is being studied using marked animals and students will
be helping with manatee captures using nets. Any manatees captured
will be measured, the sex determined, DNA and blood samples taken
and the animal marked before release.
BA312 Shark research and conservation (start date 27 June)
Sharks are among some of the most threatened fishes in the world’s oceans
and, as a group, face possibly the largest global population declines in modern
history. These declines have been caused by the chronic overfishing of some
species, driven by the demand for high value fins. Many species of shark
are considered apex predators and are thought to be of critical importance
in maintaining equilibrium in marine ecosystems through regulation of
the distribution and abundance of lower trophic levels. Consequently, the
widespread overexploitation of some shark species is thought to have farreaching consequences for entire food webs, threatening the stability of these
sensitive ecosystems. The Cape Eleuthera Institute’s Shark Research and
Conservation Program aims to address these issues by conducting an eclectic
portfolio of conservation driven research projects. Research includes the spatial
ecology of bull sharks, physiological stress responses to long line capture in
coastal species as well as spatial distribution of deep-sea species. In addition to
these, research into coastal habitat use by rays has been initiated.
BA
Bahamas dissertations
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Transylvania Research Assistant Options
Transylvaniaoverview
Key facts l The largest population of Brown Bears anywhere
in Europe
lUnique medieval high nature value landscape
lThe most diverse wildflower meadows in
lowland Europe
Research objectives
The Tarnava Mare Natura 2000 Region in Transylvania, Romania is one of the
last medieval landscapes in Europe. Sitting at the foothills of the Carpathians
this stunning 85,000ha area not only boasts picturesque remote Saxon Villages
surrounded by some of, if not the most, extensive flower-rich grasslands
remaining in lowland Europe, but it also houses a spectacular array of fauna
including the largest populations of brown bears found anywhere in Europe.
The landscape still presents a medieval land-use pattern: forested ridges and
gullies, pasture and hay meadows on gentler slopes and terraces, arable land
and smaller meadows on the flat valley bottoms near villages.
Inclusion of the area in the EU Natura 2000 network enables funding to be
obtained to maintain the low input traditional farming that has created such
a high biodiversity. The Opwall teams are completing an annual biodiversity
survey of the region in order to assess the effectiveness of maintaining the
traditional farming practices in protecting this outstanding area. The work is
being completed with ADEPT, a Romanian based NGO, with the Opwall teams
providing annual data on a series of biodiversity performance and farming
criteria.
Expedition 1
Facilities
Terrestrial
RT
This Opwall expedition gives students the chance to join a
small team which will move from remote village to village
across the region. Each village is nestled in one of many
valleys running north to south, and so, after completing
surveys for a week in each village, the team will trek up
the side of the adjacent valley and down into the next
one. Luggage can be transported by horse and cart or
on a 4x4 vehicle, which is a relief given the strength of the
Transylvanian sun during this time of year!
When in the villages, teams will usually be staying in basic
campsites where they can pitch their tents under the fruit
trees, and where the water in the showers is heated by the
sun each day. Meals are locally prepared and the majority
of the food on the expedition is baked, grown, or farmed
in the same village in which it is consumed. In some
villages volunteers will be able to stay in local guesthouses,
which gives a fantastic insight into the Saxon culture and
traditions.
It should be noted that on this expedition almost all surveys
are conducted on foot. Volunteers can be out in the sun
surveying the remote forests, meadows and grasslands
for long periods of time each day, in addition to collecting
more data during the evenings where possible, so it is
important to have a reasonable level of fitness.
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29 June
Expedition 2
13 July
RT RT
This expedition gives the opportunity to get a taste of the
rich wildlife in this little visited part of the Carpathians. The
two weeks will be spent in different villages in the Tarnava
Mare region with the first week spent on the Transylvanian
ecology course (RT001) and the second completing
biodiversity surveys (RT101).
RT RT RT RT
Giving students an opportunity to greater experience the
richness of the Carpathians. Students, after completing the
ecology course (RT001), spend the remaining three weeks
rotating or specialising in the biodiversity surveys (RT101).
This project involves a lot of trekking and the Tarnava Mare
region has one of the most scenic landscapes in Europe.
Expedition 1
Expedition 2
Training courses
Travel information Transylvania
Transylvanian ecology course RT001 - The
Transylvanian ecology course which is run alongside the
biodiversity survey teams in one of the study villages
is designed to give volunteers an understanding of the
cultural and ecological history of the region, of the overall
research and survey objectives, and of the specific surveys
and taxonomic groups that the teams will be focussing on.
Lectures and discussion groups will be interspersed with
practical survey sessions.
at Tirgu Mures International or Cluj International
Airport on the Tuesday before your expedition
begins. If departing from Tirgu Mures your return
flight should leave after 1600hrs and if departing
from Cluj after 2000hrs on the Tuesday that your
expedition ends.
“
■Transylvania biodiversity survey RT101 This team completes
surveys in a different village each week. Volunteers are split into groups
and form a key part of the teams collecting data from the extensive
woodlands, meadows and grasslands around a series of Saxon
settlements across the Tarnava Mare.
■Large mammals: Students will position camera traps in key locations
in the forests and on the valley survey routes in order to capture
sightings of large mammals such as bears, wild boar, beech/stone
marten and deer. The team will also visit likely vantage points at dawn
or dusk to see large mammals, and will record any prints or scat
encountered.
■Small mammals and herpetofauna: This team will set small
mammal traps late at night which will be checked and emptied each
morning. They will also complete standard searches around the edge of
river and wetland areas for amphibians, and will walk the longer survey
routes around the valleys either side of the village, recording mammal
and herpetofauna sightings and signs.
■Birds: The bird team will complete point count surveys at 500m
intervals. In the evening call-back surveys are also completed for corn
crake and owls. There will also be the opportunity to participate in the
bird ringing scheme using mist netting.
■Plants: The plant team will be focusing on target species which are
good indicators of the different grassland types. Quadrats will be
“
Diving ✘ Terrestrial ✔
Expedition length
2, 4 & 6 week options
An outstanding experience at any level
to learn field study, biodiversity and
conservation.
Donald Orokos, University of Albany
completed in low, medium and high nature value grasslands along the
different survey routes where the abundance of different key species
will be noted. This area contains some of the most diverse grasslands
in Europe and this project will be a chance to work in a rarely seen and
spectacular habitat.
■Butterflies: The butterfly team will be covering the same survey sites as
the plant team, recording the butterflies encountered and using sweep
nets to catch and identify the rarer species. Light trapping will also be
completed for moths in the evenings.
■Farms: The traditional farming methods used in this region play
a crucial role in the maintenance of high biodiversity. Part of the
monitoring effort therefore includes visiting a number of farms in each
village and recording the numbers of livestock, dates of grassland
cutting, type of arable crops etc. The team will also be gathering data on
bear and wolf attacks on the livestock and will have a unique opportunity
to experience methods of farming which were lost many years ago in
most of the world.
■Bats: The bat team use a combination of static recorders and hand held
detectors to determine the bat species present in each village. The hand
held detectors will be used on two transects near the village and will
utilize call analysis from static detectors to again analyse the species.
There will also be an opportunity to visit potential roost sites and carry
out mist netting.
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Transylvania dissertations and research topics
“
I had such an amazing time in Transylvania
and saw more wildlife than I could have
imagined. The diversity here is unbelievable
and it has made me realise how important
ecology and conservation is. I really want to
continue working in this field to try and make a
difference and will definitely be signing up for
another Opwall project next year.
Vicki Balfour, University of St Andrews
RT RT325 Farming changes in the Tarnava Mare region and how these
are likely to impact on biodiversity (start date 29 June)
Since 2013 there have been detailed surveys of farming practice in a series
of farms across the Tarnava Mare region. These data show differences in the
types of livestock held in different villages across Tarnava Mare and the farm
surveys being completed in 2016 could look at whether those differences have
persisted. The project could estimate the livestock breeds (cattle, sheep, goats,
pigs, poultry) owned by a series of farms across the Tarnava Mare region and
attempt to identify why such differences may be occurring such as traditional
usage, availability of land or economic benefits. Another project could look at
grassland management and the influence of the EU payments for traditional
management practices whilst another project could examine changes in crops
and the likely impact on biodiversity.
RT RT327 Mammal abundance and landscape composition
In 2015 the relative abundances of larger mammals, including bear, roe deer,
wild boar, fox and marten, were assessed by recording signs of presence (scat
and tracks) along survey routes at each of 8 villages across the Tarnava Mare
region. The data suggest that the broad scale landscape composition – the
mosaic of different land cover types – may influence population densities and
hence the frequency with which these larger mammal signs are encountered.
This project would involve repeating the larger mammal surveys and then
analysing the data in conjunction with GIS-based land cover maps that are
being updated each year. This could reveal whether there are particular land
cover combinations which support the greatest abundance and diversity of
larger mammals, and consequently suggest the potential impacts of land cover
changes on future larger mammal abundance.
“
Bats, butterflies, plants and bears –
the Tarnava Mare expedition had it all.
An amazing two weeks which I couldn’t
recommend highly enough for any
budding ecologist.
“
RT RT322 Butterfly communities as indicators of habitat changes in
Tarnava Mare (start date 29 June)
Pollard counts of butterfly communities in different habitats (species rich
grasslands, species poor grassland, abandoned land, scrub areas and farmland)
have been completed at a series of sites around eight villages across Tarnava
Mare in 2014 & 2015 and at six of those same villages in 2013. These surveys
are revealing interesting patterns in butterfly habitat associations and changes
in the communities over time. The same sites surveyed since 2013 will be
resurveyed in 2016 and these data can be used to identify habitats associations
and changes between years within the butterfly communities. One useful output
from these studies might be the identification of butterfly species which could
be used as indicators of high nature conservation grassland.
RT RT323 Changes in bird communities in Tarnava Mare and habitat
associations (start date 29 June)
Point counts for 10 minutes of all birds seen or heard were completed twice at
each of nearly 300 sites across the Tarnava Mare region in 2014 & 2015 and at
nearly 200 of those same sites in 2013. The 300 sites are being resurveyed in
2016 and these datasets together with those from previous years would enable a
number of different questions to be addressed. For example what changes in the
bird communities over the study period have been noted? What are the preferred
habitats of the main species and how has the proportion of these habitats
changed over the study period? If farming practices change how this could affect
the bird communities? Are there species which could be used as indicators
of habitat quality? This project is data rich and should enable some complex
analyses to be performed.
“
RT RT321 Plant indicator species of grasslands in Transylvania
Transylvania has some of the most species rich hay meadows and pastures
in Europe with traditional management, low fertilizer input and low stocking
rates. Fundatia ADEPT, Opwall’s partner in Romania has, with the help of some
experienced botanists, identified a guide of 30 plant species indicative of
high conservation dry grasslands. What is not known is whether some of the
indicators are more commonly associated with the highest value meadows or
pastures and so act as ‘super indicators’. This can be judged by comparing
the occurrence of each species against quality of habitat (the total number
of indicator species at a site). An association analysis of indicator species is
also needed to identify which species tend to occur together (and so can be
considered to be replicates of each other) and which are more unique. This
study will be conducted at least 12 sites already identified around 8 villages
across the Natura 2000 site in Transylvania. Grassland surveys using these 30
indicator species were conducted at a series of sites around 8 villages within the
Tarnava Mare region in 2014 & 2015 and six of those villages in 2013, so there
are existing data sets to compare against the survey data in 2016.
RT RT326 Distribution of abandoned land in the Tarnava Mare Reserve
Land abandonment is one type of agricultural change in Tarnava Mare driven by
membership of the EU and associated policy and socio-economic changes. This
project seeks to better understand the process of abandonment and the factors
behind such land use change. Fieldwork will involve mapping the location and
extent of abandoned farmland for each village. GIS-based spatial analyses can
then be used to investigate distribution patterns: the degree to which abandoned
land is clustered or randomly dispersed across the landscape, and whether
there are characteristic field shapes and sizes. Further analysis will investigate
the influence of various factors on the likelihood of abandonment, such as
topography (steepness of slope and altitude), distance to the village, and soil
characteristics.
Alex Westin-Hardy,
Cambridge University
RT RT324 Bat species distribution and abundance in relation to land
composition within the Tarnava Mare (start date 29 June)
Since 2014 the species of bat present in eight villages across the Tarnava Mare
region has been assessed. A combination of static recorders and hand held
detectors have been used along two transects in each village, allowing a good
picture of bat species presence to be gained. A number of possible influencing
factors such as light sources, roost availability and landscape composition
could also be explored. This project would involve repeating the bat surveys
and then analysing the data in conjunction with GIS-based land cover maps that
are being updated each year. This could reveal whether there are particular land
cover combinations which support the greatest abundance and diversity of bats.
Similarly this technique could be used in combination with other influencing
factors.
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Transylvania dissertations
73
Greeceoverview
Diving ✔ Terrestrial ✔
Expedition length
2 week options
Dissertation optionsN/A
Key facts l The largest of the remaining hotspots for the
critically endangered Mediterranean monk seal
lThe only Mediterranean island to house a
population of European golden jackal
lOne of the few areas outside of Africa to contain
a wild chameleon population
lThe only European Opwall site to offer
scuba diving
lLocated close to the birthplace of Pythagoras
The Aegean sea, where the Cyclades and Dodecanese Islands are situated,
support a rare and unique biodiversity that includes some of the most important
remaining populations of marine mammals and turtles in the Mediterranean,
and have extensive areas of protected habitats such as Posidonia seagrass beds
and Coralligene reefs. These marine habitats, and the fauna that they house, are
also threatened by disturbances (e.g. development, illegal fishing practices,
bycatch and persecution of marine mammals). The Opwall teams, along with
their Greek partners Archipelagos, will be part of a long term monitoring effort
being implemented by PhD students from universities in the UK and US in order
to advise management efforts and protection strategies.
Terrestrial/Marine
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Expedition 1
Expedition 2
Set expedition length: 2 weeks GS
14 July
21 July
GL
Travel information Greece
at Samos International Airport before 1000hrs on
the Thursday before your expedition begins, and to
depart after 0900hrs on the Wednesday that your
expedition ends.
Facilities
On Samos Island students will stay in a small hotel near the
fishing village of Pythagorio which is about 300m from the
Archipelagos research base. The base is located only a few
meters from the beach, on the south-western part of Samos
with fantastic views of the Turkish mountains.
The first week of this two week expedition will be spent
completing dive training and joining research projects on
seagrass, jackals, wetland birds and chameleons (GS101).
The second week will involve travelling down to some of the
smaller islands south of Samos and working on island bird
and invertebrate projects and background research for the
open sea aquarium concept (GL102).
Expedition 1
Expedition 2
Research objectives
These expeditions will take place in the stunning eastern Aegean islands of
Greece just off the Turkish coast. The area represents a unique biogeographical
crossroad between three continents: Europe, Asia and Africa. This Greek
archipelagos has been established by a complex series of geological events
caused by tectonic movements. Climatic shifts and the subsequent Pleistocene
glaciations have resulted in cyclic sea level fluctuations causing the land
masses of Europe and Asia and many terrestrial species to become isolated
and reconnected. These patterns of connectivity and separation have led to high
species richness.
GS Samos
Greece Research Assistant Options
GL Islands
On the Lipsi and Arki surveys volunteers will be based in
tents or bunk accommodation, shared toilets and outside
communal areas. Travelling between them using ferries.
GS101 Samos Island
PADI Open Water - This course involves a combination of theory
lessons, confined water dives and open water dives to gain an official
scuba diving qualification.
■Seagrass surveys: Learning the survey methods for completing
Seagrass Watch surveys on 50m transects.
■Aegean fish identification: This course trains students in the
identification of the Aegean fish species likely to be encountered on the
same transects as the seagrass surveys.
■Mammal surveys: Helping with radio tracking and nocturnal call
back surveys for the golden jackal which has a surviving population
on Samos. The objective is to trap and attach radio collars on a series
of animals around the research centre to look at home range size and
habitat usage.
■Chameleon surveys: This involves spotlight searches for chameleons
in different habitats around the Island to estimate the remaining
population size of this species, which in the past has been heavily
collected for the pet trade.
■Wetland bird surveys: Samos Island has some extensive wetland
areas still remaining, although these are under significant threat
from development pressures. The diversity of the wetlands appears
to be high with species such as greater flamingo, ruddy shelduck,
European roller, black winged stilt, Alpine swift, olivaceous warbler
and many others. These wetlands are being monitored year round by
Archipelagos staff with a view to making an application for the wetlands
to be protected and produce income from specialist birders visiting
during the migration season.
■Aegean Island ecology part 1: Students will also complete the
first part of the Aegean Island ecology course (Aegean ecology and
conservation - an introduction, fish identification and freediving theory,
Mediterranean fisheries, marine survey techniques, terrestrial survey
techniques, terrestrial conservation and protected species).
GL102 Lipsi and Arki Islands
For the second week the teams will be based south of Samos on the
more remote islands of Lipsi (population 750) and Arki (population 45).
During this time the teams will be helping different scientists with the
following projects:
■Bird surveys: Helping with bird surveys on Lipsi and Arki and the
surrounding uninhabited islets that have been designated as Wildlife
Refuges. Some of these islands are home to breeding Eleanora’s
falcons, Audouin’s gulls and Yelkouan shearwaters.
■Invertebrate surveys: On this project the students will be helping
with a survey of beetle biodiversity on a series of islands using a
range of sampling techniques including pit fall trapping, light trapping
and flight intercept traps.
■Open sea aquarium surveys: Archipelagos has initiated an
innovative project where the end of a bay is being netted off with a
copper mesh net and an adjacent wall of sea cage netting. Within the
netted off area the intention is to recreate an Aegean fish community
as it would have been before the area became heavily fished. Students
on this project will be completing surveys of the seagrass beds and
fish communities within the open sea aquarium as part of a constant
monitoring programme.
■Aegean Island ecology part 2: Students will also complete the
second part of the Aegean Island ecology course (marine conservation
and protected species, environmental impacts - invasive species,
conservation in action - examples from the Mediterranean marine
plastics pollution and marine mammal first aid).
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BA311 Bahamian reef health assessment and restoration
BA312 Shark research and conservation
BA313 Juvenile turtle ecology
BA314 Flats ecology and conservation
TRANSYLVANIA
RT321 Plant indicator species of grasslands in Transylvania
RT322 Butterfly communities as indicators of habitat changes in Tarnava Mare
RT323 Changes in bird communities in Tarnava Mare and habitat associations
RT324 Bat spcies distribution and abundance in relation to land composition within the Tarnava Mare
RT325 Farming changes in the Tarnava Mare region and how these are likely to impact on biodiversity
RT326 Distribution of abandoned land in the Tarnava Mare Reserve
RT327 Mammal abundance and landscape composition
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GUYANA
GI301 Analysis of sound landscapes to assess bird communities in tropical rainforests
GI302 Comparison of sound recording and spotlighting for assessing amphibian communities
GI303 Changes in large mammal and bird communities in the Iwokrama forests from 2010-2016
MEXICO
YA290 Sea turtle nest site preferences and hatchling sex ratios
YA291 Effect of tourism on immature green turtle behaviour in Akumal Bay
YA292 Immature green turtle foraging behaviour and seagrass abundance in Akumal Bay
YA293 The connectivity of reef and intertidal zones in the Yucatan Peninsular
YC294 Bird diversity & distribution in relation to forest structure in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Mexico
YC295 Herpetofaunal species distribution and niche partitioning in Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, Mexico
YC296 Large mammal abundance and distribution patterns in relation to habitat characteristics and
hunting in Mayan forest
YC297 Spider monkey grouping patterns, habitat use and behaviour
YC298 Bat abundance, diversity and distribution patterns in relation to habitat characteristics of
Mayan forest
MADAGASCAR
MM271 Spatial behavioural ecology of the Malagasy giant hognose snake
MM272 Ecology of amphibians in Mahamavo
MM273 Thermal ecology and UV-B requirements of chameleons, skinks and geckos
MM274 Colour variability and the ecological use of colour in the chameleons and geckos of Mahamavo
MM275 Microhabitats and niche partitioning in chameleons, skinks, geckos or snakes in Madagascar
MM276 Niche separation and the impacts of disturbance on avian communities in the dry forest
MM277 Occupancy modelling for bushpigs and Indian civets with camera traps
MM278 Ecology and behaviour of nocturnal lemurs in the dry deciduous forests of northwestern
Madagascar
MM279 Species distribution modelling in Madagascar
MM280 Landscape ecology in Madagascar
MM281 Community ecology in Madagascar
SOUTH AFRICA
SP261 The use of behavioural studies to assist with management decisions for a large elephant
population in a small private game reserve
SP262 Calculating the carrying capacity of the Pongola Reserve for elephant populations
SW263 Social structure and behaviour of elephants in the Welgevonden Reserve
SW264 Factors affecting the population size and distribution of large mammals in the Waterberg
Biosphere Reserve
SW265 The effects of habitat and fire management on winter bird communities in Welgevonden
SW266 The effects of fire on invertebrate, reptile, bird and small mammal communities
PERU
PP251 Diversity and functional trait responses of moths to natural forest edges in the Peruvian Amazon
PP252 Fish community usage of different habitats in the Peruvian Amazon
PP253 The role of floating vegetation mats in the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve, in providing breeding
habitat for amphibians
PP254 Niche separation in caiman species
PP255 Population trends and habitat preferences of pink and grey river dolphins in the Peruvian Amazon
PP256 Estimating ground dwelling and arboreal mammal populations in the Pacaya-Samiria Reserve
PP257 Niche separation in tamarins, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys and other primates in the
Peruvian Amazon
HONDURAS
HM220 Epiphytic lichen community survey in Cusuco National Park
HM221 Estimating tropical invertebrate diversity
HM222 Diversity and habitat associations of bees in Cusuco National Park
HM223 Dung beetle ecology in the Honduran cloud forest
HM224 Ecology of moths in the tropical cloud forest of Honduras
HM225 Metacommunity dynamics of aquatic invertebrates in bromeliads
HM226 How do dragonfly communities change over an elevation gradient?
HM227 Abundance and distribution of threatened amphibian populations in Cusuco cloud forest
HM228 Trophic ecology of snakes in Cusuco National Park
HM229 Prevalence of chytrid in amphibian populations within Cusuco
HM230 Factors affecting bird communities in Cusuco
HM231 Assessing detectability of under-represented bird species in Cusuco National Park
HM232 Variation in cloud forest small mammal populations and their microhabitat partitioning,
Honduras
HM233 The use of camera trapping arrays to quantify human disturbance of large mammal species,
Honduras
HM234 Ecology and behaviour of bats in tropical cloud forests, Honduras
HM235 Variation in microchiropteran bat activity in response to spatial and temporal variation in
insect activity in Honduras
HM236 Determining the likely impact of climate change on altitudinally sensitive species in isolated
Honduran cloud forests
HB239 Tracking the recovery of a keystone urchin species and its role in reef restoration
HB240 Spatial and temporal patterns in fish community structure and biomass on contrasting reef
systems in Honduras
HB241 Managing the Caribbean lionfish invasion
HB242 The dynamics of mutualistic cleaning interactions on Caribbean coral reefs
HB243 The structure and carbon storage potential of Caribbean mangroves
HU244 Depth distributions and bathymetric connectivity of coral reef fish
HU245 Reef flattening and its impacts on associated biodiversity
HU246 The vulnerability of commercially valuable groupers based on behavioural responses to diver
presence
HU247 A critical comparison of assessment techniques for surveying Caribbean coral reef ecosystems
HT248 Physiology and behaviour of the long-spined sea urchin, a keystone Caribbean coral reef
herbivore
HT249 The behaviour of invasive lionfish on Caribbean reefs
HT250 Caribbean reef restoration through strategically placed and structurally complex artificial
structures
INDONESIA
IN200 Anoa, wild pig and ground bird density in the forests of North Buton
IK201 An investigation of song and call variation in physically and genetically diverse island bird
populations
IK202 Variation in resource preferences of bird species within a small passerine guild across
habitats within and between SE Sulawesi islands
IK203 The carrying capacity of different habitats in relation to a small passerine bird guild within and
between SE Sulawesi islands
IK204 Diurnal activity cycles of a small passerine bird guild across SE Sulawesi islands
IH205 Competition within and between the dominant coral reef benthic taxa
IS206 The biodiversity and productivity of coral reefs of Bau Bau
IB207 The diversity, distribution and abundance of nudibranchs in Indonesia
IH208 The ecology of anemonefish in Indonesia
IH209 The behaviour and functional role of reef fish cleaners in Indonesia
IH210 The ecology and biology of shallow subtidal patch reefs in Indonesia
IH211 Seagrass ecology of the Wakatobi
IB212 The ecology and environmental impact of biological agents causing coral mortality
IH213 The physical and biological structure of coral reef systems
IH214 Can animals already living at extreme temperatures survive climate change?
IH215 Thermal induced rapid coral mortality in Indonesia
IH216 Metabolic and thermal adaptations of fiddler crabs living in Indonesian mangal habitats
IH217 Fisheries of the Wakatobi
IS218 The economic and environmental sustainability of Bau Bau fisheries
Totals
Code
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
12
Snorkel
projects
DISSERTATION SUMMARY TABLE
77
2016
INDONESIA
12345
WEEK 1
1
34
15 June
–
21 June
22 June D
–
D
28 June
WEEK 2
2
29 June D
–
5 July
WEEK 3
5
WEEK 4
6 July D
–
12 July
WEEK 5
13 July
–
19 July
WEEK 6
20 July
–
26 July
HONDURAS
123456
1
2
4
PERU
15 June D
–
21 June
123
22 June D
D
–
28 June
19 June
–
24 June
29 June D
–
D
5 July
26 June D
–
1 July
13 July
–
19 July
12345
12
3
10 July
–
15 July
11 June
–
17 June
MADAGASCAR
1234
3 July
–
9 July
25 June D
–
1 July
4
3
2 July
–
8 July
19 June D
–
25 June
MEXICO
1234
26 June
–
2 July
18 June
–
24 June
3 July
–
8 July
6 July
–
12 July
5
12 June D
–
17 June
SOUTH AFRICA
4
2
10 July
–
16 July
9 July
–
15 July
17 July
–
23 July
13 June D
–
D
19 June
1234
12
BAHAMAS
17 June
–
23 June
27 June
–
2 July
TRANSYLVANIA
D
12
29 June
–
5 July
28 June
–
4 July
24 June
–
30 June
4 July
–
9 July
27 June D
–
D
3 July
5 July
–
11 July
1 July
–
7 July
11 July
–
16 July
12 July
–
18 July
8 July
–
14 July
18 July
–
23 July
20 July
–
26 July
19 July
–
25 July
15 July
–
21 July
25 July
–
30 July
27 July
–
2 Aug
26 July
–
1 Aug
22 July
–
28 July
1 Aug
–
6 Aug
3 Aug
–
9 Aug
29 July
–
4 Aug
8 Aug
–
13 Aug
5 Aug
–
11 Aug
15 Aug
–
20 Aug
4 July
–
10 July
3
21 June D
–
27 June
CUBA
20 June
–
26 June
2
11 July
–
17 July
20 July
–
26 July
17 July
–
22 July
16 July
–
22 July
24 July
–
30 July
18 July
–
24 July
WEEK 7
27 July
–
2 Aug
27 July
–
2 Aug
24 July
–
29 July
23 July
–
29 July
31 July
–
6 Aug
25 July
–
31 July
WEEK 8
3 Aug
–
9 Aug
3 Aug
–
9 Aug
31 July
–
5 Aug
5 30 July
7 Aug
–
13 Aug
1 Aug
–
7 Aug
WEEK 9
10 Aug
–
16 Aug
–
5 Aug
GUYANA
3
4
2 Aug
–
8 Aug
2
6 July
–
12 July
2
GREECE
D
12
14 July
–
20 July
2
21 July
–
27 July
28 July
–
3 Aug
13 July
–
19 July
6 Aug
–
12 Aug
www.opwall.com
Getting more information
You will find much more detailed information on our website. This
includes full project descriptions, details of accommodation,
costs, kit lists, reading lists and our publication library. Along with
full details on how and where to book international flights, internal
travel arrangements and costs. If you have trouble finding any
information you are looking for please contact your local office.
How to find out more
Opwall’s YouTube channel has a large number of short videos.
Attending a presentation is also a fast and easy way of finding out
which expedition is right for you. We visit multiple universities in
the UK, Ireland, US and Canada each year. Please contact your
nearest office to find out when we will be visiting your university.
78
Ready to book?
You can book your expedition in a number of ways; in person
at one of our presentations, over the phone or by submitting an
online booking form.
Insurance
Opwall has insurance in place to provide medical and repatriation
cover up to £1million for all participants on the expedition. All
participants will still need to purchase travel insurance to cover
things like loss or theft of luggage, trip cancellation and travel
interruption. We can point you in the direction of a suitable policy if
you need any assistance. See travel advice (www.opwall.com) for
more details about insurance.
Expedition Fees
Key
1 Set expedition
number, start and
end dates
Green = terrestrial
Blue = marine
Sand = bush
Marine only
available
weeks
D Dissertation
start date
D Marine
dissertation
start date
D Forest
dissertation
start date
Expedition Length Price in the UK £
Price in US$
Price in Can$
2 Weeks
1,210
1,900
2,375
4 Weeks
2,250
3,550
4,400
6 Weeks
2,997
4,700
5,850
8 Weeks
3,950
6,200
7,600
79
Printed by
www.cupitprint.co.uk
www.opwall.com
OPWALL OFFICES:
UK HEAD OFFICE
Wallace House
Old Bolingbroke Lincs PE23 4EX
UNITED KINGDOM
e: [email protected] t: +44 (0)1790 763194
US OFFICE
CANADA OFFICE
e: [email protected]
t: +1 (973) 920-0487
e: [email protected]
t: +1 (905) 231-2095
PHOTO CREDITS:
Daniel von Hoesslin, Kye Abraham, Jo Aish, Akumal Dive Centre, Danny Albone, Cayho Alkantana, Ron Allicock, Anmari Alvarez, Ariel Amir,
Mel Andrews, Jorge Angulo, Archipelagos, Dave Arnold, Tom Avent, Eleanor Baggett, Fiona Bakke, Larissa Barker, Matt Bassett, Carol Battram,
Lachie Beil, Adam Beral, Wiebke Berg, Dr Jake Bicknell, Dr Dave Bird, Nathan Bloemers, Ciortan Bogdan, Ryan Bollhorn, Bob Bonney, Daniel Borg,
Joe T Borne, Mark Bowler, Colleen Boyce, C Brett, Will Brinkerhoff, Alison Brokaw, Tom Brown, Hannah Bryan, Alistair Bygrave, Louise Cameron,
Sarah Carlson, Jasci Carvalho, Anais Castillo, Henrietta Chiltern, Bogdan Ciortan, Andy Clark, Dr James Coates, Dr Tim Coles OBE, Dwi Coles,
William Coles, Tim Colston, Coral Divers, Emily Cook, Dr Ruth Cox, Naye Cruz Garcia, Erin Cubitt, Lucie Cunningham, Alison Curtis, Halid Dai,
Rachel Daniels, Pelayo Salinas de Leon, Dr Caine Delacy, Uca Demani, Buck Denton, Pippa Disney-Tozer, Antonia Doncila, Carys Edwards, Harry Edwards,
Holly English, Ben Evans, Dr Dan Exton, Mike Flavell, Curtis Forbes, Fundamazonia, Fundatia Adept, Lachi Garcia, Andrea Gear, Edward Gilbert,
Joe Giulian, Barnaby Golder, Christopher Graham, Alanna Grant, C Hamilton, Sophie Harrad, Peter Herbst, Dayna Hill, Dr Justin Hines, Thomas Horsley,
Vivian Hughes, Iwokrama Forest, Cara Jessop, Sam Jones, Imin Kaimuddin, Karanambu, Sarah King, Shawn Kovacs, Aniko Kurali , Jim Labisko,
Sam Laing, Emily Lane, Bjorn Lardner, Andrew Laverty, Adam Laverty, Paul Leafe, LHS, Alexandra Lien, Burton Lim, Etienne Littlefair, Eloise Littley,
Gerhard Lorist, Gerhard Lorist, Siliva Losada, Wayne Lovell, Mari Mabuk, Lauren Makechnie, Dr Tom Martin, Daisy Maryon, M Masse, Laura Michie,
Ed Morgan, Fabian Muhlberger, James Muir, Tom Mullier, Nambu Conservation Trust, Jamie Neaves, Nexus, Andre Nicoara, Aoife Nirathaille,
Matthew Norman, Natalie Novak, Mara Nydegger, Louis O’Neill, James O’Neill, Thomas Outteridge, Panthera, Fahmi Permana, Thomas Peschak,
Josh Phangurha, Dr Roger Poland, Adam Powell, Samuel Quick, Adam Radage, Nic Rae, Nicole Rakowski, Dr Neil Reid, Ernesto Reyes, Elizabeth Riach,
James Rimmer, James Ros, Oliver Rose, Dr Jeremy Rowe, Benjamin Sadd, Pelayo Salinas de Leon, Kevin Schmidt, Dr Jon Shrives, Florian Shultz,
Brian Skerry, Dr Kathy Slater, Ioan Smart, Shannon Smith, Prof Dave Smith, Andrew Snyder, Lucas Sorbara, Dr Martin Speight, Achyuthan Srikanthan,
Jason Suwandy, Scott Sveiven, Natasha Tew, Hannah Thomas, Carly Thompson, Christian Townsend, Alex Tozer, Colin Trainor, Kate Trott, Pearl Vas,
Sam Walker, Dr Sarah Jane Walsh, Dan Ward, Nicolas Weir, Marina West, Dr Phil Wheeler, Matthew Whiteley, Dr Roy Wiles, Sam Wilson, Sarah Wood,
Natasha Young
PARTNERS: We have a number of partners in each country and our principal ones are listed
IMPORTANT NOTE: The details of the expedition programmes described in this brochure are correct at the time of going to print. However, note that you will be joining a real scientific expedition and that on occasions the work
carried out on individual projects will differ from that described in order to respond to scientific priorities. Please keep checking our website www.opwall.com for the most up-to-date information about the expeditions.
ABTOT
The Association of Bonded Travel Organisers Trust Limited (ABTOT) provides financial protection under the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours
Regulations 1992 for Operation Wallacea, and in the event of their insolvency, protection is provided for the following:
1. non-flight packages commencing in and returning to the UK;
2. non-flight packages commencing and returning to a country other than the UK
1, and 2 provide for a refund in the event you have not yet travelled. 1 provides for repatriation. Please note that bookings made outside the UK are only protected by
ABTOT when purchased directly with Operation Wallacea.
ATOL
Flight inclusive packages travelling from the UK are covered under the ATOL scheme.
ATOL protection does not apply to all services listed in this brochure. Please ask us to confirm what protection may apply to your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL
Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be
ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.atol.org.uk/
ATOLCertificate.

University brochure 2016

Transcription

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