This course focuses on 3 parts. (1). Biodiversity, biocomplexity, and ecosystem function of mangroves, seagrass beds, and coral reef ecosystems, as well as trophic interactions. (2) Ethnobiology and anthropogenic impacts on these ecosytems, as well as local and global patterns of change. (3) Management, restoration, and rehabilitation of coastal and wetland ecosystems
Students will have an overview of the nature of tropical coastal ecosystems (mangrove forests, seagrass beds and coral reefs) and an understanding of the ecological intractions within and among these systems (biocomplexity). They will also be able to identify holistically the major threats on these systems and to suggests appropriate mechanisms action towards their restoration
Students will be engaged in hard work on multiple assignment and will use lessons learned for practical applications.
This course will attract every students efforts towards our christian obligation to protect our environment
Missionary biologists are to tend and care for all live forms and the environment we live in
rather than participate in its degradation.
Climate change, tourism and poorly regulated extraction of coastal recources are the major threats exacerbating coastal ecosystem welbeing worldwide. With increasing trends, people skilled in coastal mansgement are in dire need; this course provided a basis for such primary training.
The applications of the lessons learned in this course would have cross cultural impacts towards the management of coastal ecosystems and resources.
At the end of this course, Students will be able to track down the ecological consequences on different sublevels (environment, fauna and flora) of anthropogenically induced changes and be able to situate the environmental problems in a holistic context and suggest appropriate management recommendations.
