BIOL3070 Tropical Ecology 2016-17Initial briefing

OverviewThis module will provide first-hand experience of ecological research in a tropical environment and give you a foundation in a range of topics including biodiversity, community ecology, ecosystem processes and conservation.

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Today’s briefing • How is the module structured? • When is the trip? • Where are we going? • How are we going to travel?• What do I need to take? • What preparations do I need to make?

Module structure Learning and Teaching Series of pre-trip in Feb – March: introduction to tropical ecosystems, critical thinking and study design; risk assessments and health & safety. 15 day field trip to Belize: 3 field sites, large group activities, small group projects, evening lectures and workshops.

Assessment1. Reflective field notebook/journal:

20%2. Small group presentation of

research project 5-10 mins: 30%3. Individual written project report:

50%

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Itinerary

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Traveling to Belize

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1: Tropical Education Centre & Belize Zoo

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1: Tropical Education Centre & Belize Zoo 2: Las Cuevas Field Station

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1: Tropical Education Centre & Belize Zoo 2: Las Cuevas Field Station 3: Pook’s Hill Lodge

What do I need to take? • Backpack or suitable lightweight luggage• Daypack/bag• Light sleeping bag• Mosquito net• Field compass• Head torch and small handheld backup• Personal First-aid kit: including sunscreen cream,

sunburn relief, anti-dehydration medicines, hygienic skin powder, anti-mosquito spray.

• Vaccinations and prophylaxis

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Clothing

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• Suitable clothing: • long trousers and log-sleeve shirts for

fieldwork (NOT jeans!), t-shirts, shorts, socks, etc. (old cloths are suitable)

• Light hiking/sport shoes (with good ankle support)

• Sandals (for around the accommodation)

• Raincoat/poncho (lightweight - NOT any Gore-Tex type rain jackets)

• Hat for sun protection• Think old cloths that you don’t mind

getting dirty - Look in your local charity shop!

Suggested vaccinations

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Should be up to date with routine vaccination courses and boosters as recommended in the UK. this should including: Diphtheria, Polio and Tetanus • Hepatitis A: There is low risk of infection. • Hepatitis B: There is low risk of infection.  • Rabies: There is low risk of infection as there is no

planned contact with wild or domestic animals. • Tuberculosis: There is low risk of infection and no

planned activities put the students at increased risk 

• Typhoid: There is low risk of infection,

• Malaria: Anti-malarial treatment (chloroquine) will be mandatory, alterative anti-malarial treatments can be used follow advice ofyour GP or travel clinic.

• Zika Virus • Dengue fever • Chikungunya virus • Leishmaniasis • Botfly• Sandworms 

Malaria prophylaxis

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iSurvey• Compulsory for all students to complete• Any “false information” provided will preVent the

student from attending the trip• You will be emailed a link to the iSurvey today• You have 7 days to complete the survey

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H&S, Academic Integrity and Code of Conduct• Attendance on the trip starts as soon as you leave

your house to the moment you return to it• You are representing the University of

Southampton and we therefore expect you to conduct yourselves responsibly

• Any behaviour deemed inappropriate/not acceptable will result in you being sent home at your own expense

• You will be asked to sign a code of conduct before the trip

• We will write this with you following the workshops in semester 2

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Health and Safety• All about a successful trip• Risk assessment• Incidents and behaviour• What you need to tell us

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Risk assessment• Why?• Identify hazards and control them. You will be told

•What?Fly as a groupAccommodation and fireFood and alcoholWeatherAccidents in the field – clothes, hats, boots, sun block, insects, plants, barbed wire, beaches and sea. Tell someone and call a first aider. Use your whistle

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What you need to tell us• Any allergies - latex• Medical condition and medication• Anxious• Worried about anyone on the

trip tell someone

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