Sea Turtle Ecology and Conservation
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is a survey of the fundamentals of sea turtle ecology including evolution, anatomy, species identification, life history, reproduction, and nesting behavior. Coursework will consist of both academic discussions and field work designed to introduce students to the methods and equipment that sea turtle researchers commonly use. In addition, this class will focus on the threats and conservation challenges that sea turtles face and evaluate them from a multi-disciplinary approach that incorporates historical, cultural, economic and legal factors. Students will participate in the research, monitoring and conservation of multiple species at nesting beaches located on the Caribbean and Pacific coasts of Costa Rica and Nicaragua while working with organizations including the Sea Turtle Conservancy, Paso Pacifico, and Pretoma.
“Our lectures and classwork were incredibly relevant to our hands-on experience and I think this made us valuable volunteers. ” — Danielle Baker, Great Falls, VA
COURSE OBJECTIVES
- An in depth knowledge of local sea turtle populations including lifecycles, feeding, mating and nesting behaviors and migratory patterns.
- A strong knowledge of current conservation issues facing these populations, including the role of culture and social issues in developing conservation strategies.
- An understanding of conservation techniques and theories being used to recover depleted sea turtle populations.
- Understand the history of Tortuguero National Park and Caribbean Conservation Corporation’s role in establishing current environmental policies in Tortuguero, in Costa Rica and internationally.
- Ability to identify various types of sea turtles.
- Ability to interpret sea turtle behaviors.
- A strong knowledge of current sea turtle monitoring techniques.
LECTURE TOPICS
- Introduction to local culture and regional biodiversity
- Regional geology, climate and oceanography
- Sea turtle research and monitoring techniques
- Sea turtle biology I: adaptations and physiology
- Sea turtle biology II: reproduction and life history strategies
- Sea turtle diversity
- History and culture of Tortuguero
- Challenges to rural conservation in El Ostional
- Sea turtle ecology
- Sea turtle threats
- Sea turtle conservation
- Advantages and disadvantages of ecotourism
- Science of sea turtle hatcheries
- Pretoma’s conservation strategies
- Responsible fisheries and ecosystem management
- Guest Lectures
FIELD STUDIES & EXERCISES
- Night time beach patrol and turtle surveys
- Sea turtle nest excavation
- Mangrove tour
- Sea turtle hatchery experience
- Kayak tour
- Visit local Research Stations
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