Tropical Marine Ecology - Snorkeling - Badge
Name
Tropical Marine Ecology - Snorkeling.
Issuer
Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca.
Issued since 17 July 2017.
Description
The holder of this Badge has acquired basic competencies in the area of tropical marine ecology, especially related to the understanding of the state of health of those environments. He or she is able to take ecological samples, in other words, to use non-destructive techniques for studying the composition and abundance of marine ecosystems, to make estimates of percentage coverage of benthic organisms through Line Intercept Transect and Point Intercept Transect, and to make estimates of the abundance of fish fauna along a transect parallel to a coastline, defined FISH Belt transect. These competencies have been acquired by attendance of the “Tropical Marine Ecology training course at the Marine Research and High Education (MaRHE) Center at the University of Milan-Bicocca. The study path consists of a series of classroom lessons, plus fieldwork, held by international researchers with specific experience in tropical marine ecosystems. All the activities in the field are carried out in the sea by snorkelling. Download the programme here for further information on the training course. The programme is spread over 80 hours of work in 8 days, subdiv
Badge Criteria
The holder of the Tropical Marine Ecology - Snorkelling Badge has acquired the knowledge, skills and competencies described by the badge, by attending all the activities in the course programme and passing the final test (team project and its presentation). This study path is open to students of the University of Milan-Bicocca and students of other universities, whether Italian or foreign. Ability to swim is required. The study path is carried out in the Italian language and, where foreign students are enrolled, also in English. Holding the Tropical Marine Ecology - Snorkelling Badge is a preferential qualification for access to the Scuba level.
Skills
The holder of this Badge has acquired the following SKILLS: identification of corals on a level of family; identification of fish on a level of family; estimating the presence of threats, for example, disease in corals and coral bleaching; choosing the best method for analysing them; using Line Intercept Transect and Point Intercept Transect and Fish Belt Transect, internationally recognised methods; carrying out bionomic transects; the following COMPETENCIES: carrying out non-destructive ecological sampling; carrying out a quali-quantitative descriptive assessment of environments; estimate the percentage coverage of benthic organisms, through Line Intercept Transect and Point Intercept Transect; estimate the abundance and diversity of fish fauna on a level of family, using the Fish Belt Transect method; prepare a research project in a team, to assess the state of health of a coral reef, through the use of the most suitable techniques and strategies; pass on the results of personal work to a wide range of people: from students to potential clients (drafting of reports on the environment); and the following KNOWLEDGE: understanding on a basic level of the complexity of coral reefs, with special focus on both corals and fish. Activities in the sea also enable an increase in aquatic and manual dexterity. Preparing presentations and reports brings into play the abilities of acquiring and processing data, using standard software. Communicative capacity is also strengthened, thanks to daily presentations (orally and in Power Point) of work completed. The capacities will improve for working in a team, as well as in the field, during analysis and processing of data and the preparation of daily presentations of work completed, as will the capacity for facing problems, whether alone or in a group, and finding solutions, either independently or with others. Preparation of a final project will also help create awareness of the skills and competencies attained. Every participant will also have the chance to undergo an inter-cultural experience.
Tags
Corals, Marinesciences, Internship