Coral Reef Ecology

Instructor: Carlos Ormond, Ph. D. Candidate Simon Fraser University Faculty of Education 8888 University Drive Burnaby, BC, Canada V5A 1S6 E-mail: cormondsfu.ca

Course Description

This course is designed to promote the desire for discovery and advanced understanding of coral reef ecosystems from an integrated ecological perspective. In addition to learning coral reef ecosystem dynamics, organism identification, and experimental design, this course will also investigate human dimensions in coral reef ecosystems, both past and present. By taking an integrated multidisciplinary approach, this course will demonstrate the importance of melding traditional approaches to understanding and investigating coral reef ecosystems with the human dimension. A large component of the course will involve fieldwork, complimented by discussions on daily course readings. The course will require the completion of group assignments, as well as an individual research project that may be as much anthropological as it is ecological in theory. Therefore, the course will not only be of interest to those of you in the sciences but also those of you from the social sciences.

NOTE: Dive certification is not necessary to enroll in this course, but what is required is an attraction to the ocean and a comfort in being in it. For SCUBA-certified (PADI, NAUI, or SSI certified) students who will be diving, there is a $100 Lab Fee with this course, which covers dive tank, air and dive weight rental. All students will require snorkel equipment (mask and fins) and those with SCUBA certification are expected to bring their own BCD, regulator, and most importantly proof of certification. There is the possibility of renting dive equipment as well as receiving dive certification from the local dive shops. If this is something that interests you, please contact the instructor for more information.

General Topics

Readings

Readings corresponding to discussion topics will be provided by the instructor.

Required Texts:

Humann, P. and N. Deloach Reef Coral Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas, New World, Jacksonville, FL.
Humann, P. and N. Deloach Reef Creature Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas New World, Jacksonville, FL.
Humann, P. and N. Deloach Reef Fish Identification: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas New World, Jacksonville, FL.

Recommended Texts:

Compagno, L., Dando, M. and S. Fowler. Sharks of the World. Princeton University Press, Princeton, UK.
Deloach. N. Reef Fish Behaviour: Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas, New World, Jacksonville, FL.

Other Important Texts:

Aronson, R. B. (ed.). 2006. Geological Approaches to Coral Reef Ecology. Springer,
Birkeland, C. (ed.) 1997. Life and Death of Coral Reefs. Springer, NY
Sale, P. (ed.) 2002. Coral Reef Fishes: Dynamics and Diversity in a Complex Ecosystem. Academic Press: Boston, Mass.

Additional Course Information

Grading Up to 6 units of credit will be given, 3 for the class work portion and 3 for the fieldwork portion. The instructor will provide a breakdown of points earned and final letter grade to your academic institution. Please arrange for credit through your department or academic advisor.

Further Inquiries

The instructor welcomes those with additional questions or in need of more detailed information.