Ecological Monitoring Program Certification
The Ecological Monitoring Program is built to give students the opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of our well rounded approach to monitoring. Each student will gain the tools necessary to investigate the reef with a strategy based solely on reason and the scientific method. Surveys associated with the ecological monitoring program includes but is not limited to: coral identification and taxonomy, coral predators, coral diseases, invertebrate ecology, competition and biofouling, sea turtle ecology and population dynamics, shark ecology and population management etc. Each student at the end of the course will have the necessary knowledge to conduct their own surveys and report to a range of online databases.
What it looks like?
Each of our days begins at 9am with a lecture discussing a different aspect of Hawai'i coral reef ecology. After our lecture we break for lunch, and meet back for our dive around 11am. During our dives we survey, monitor, and preserve our reefs using a well-rounded and uniform conservation diver framework.
Week 1 – Ecological Monitoring
During the first week, we go over the basics of coral reef ecology and monitoring, with a major emphasis on dive training and buoyancy. During this first week, each student will learn how to survey and monitor fish diversity and abundance, benthic invertebrate diversity and abundance, and substrate composition.
Week 2 – Advanced Ecological Monitoring
The Advanced Ecological Monitoring Program is geared towards individuals looking to embark on a career in marine science. During weeks 2 and 3, students will attend specialized lectures discussing the intricacies and nuances regarding marine research and conservation. During this time, we focus largely on corals including but not limited to : coral cover, coral health, coral biodiversity, competitive interactions and biofouling, coral disease, photogrammetry etc.
Week 4 – Advanced Ecological Monitoring contd. / Coral Restoration
Once students have demonstrated advanced diving techniques and have a full grasp on advanced ecological surveying, we will begin discussing coral restoration. Students will be identifying corals of opportunity, maintaining the coral nursery site, and measuring growth / success of corals. During this time, individuals conducting a 6 week internship will start brainstorming for their independent research project.
Certifications received:
1 week:
Conservation Diver Ecological Monitoring Program Certification
SSI Adventures in Diving Certification
2 week:
Conservation Diver Ecological Monitoring Program Certification
SSI specialty diver (perfect buoyancy specialty, navigation specialty)
4 week:
Conservation Diver Ecological Monitoring Program Certification
SSI Advanced Diver (perfect buoyancy, navigation, deep, drift)
Prerequisites:
Be certified under a globally recognized diving agency (PADI, SSI, NAUI etc.)
Be at an advanced level of diving and demonstrate self-awareness underwater
Standards:
Gain a better understanding of Hawaiian coral reef ecosystems and the corresponding ecological dynamics
Understand the various surveying and monitoring methods used throughout the state by federal, university led, and local research initiatives
Conduct atleast one survey monitoring the overall abundance and diversity of reef invertebrates along a permanent transect line
Conduct at least one survey monitoring the overall abundance and diversity of reef fishes along a permanent transect line
conduct atleast one Substrate survey assessing the coral growth forms and coverage along a permanent transect line
Input atleast 3 transects worth of data into our long term monitoring database
Requirements:
Attend the Hawai'i coral reef ecology and monitoring, reef invertebrates, substrate, and reef fishes lectures
Perform at least 3 EMP surveys offered (coral predators, coral disease, invertebrates, reef fishes, substrate composition)
Pass all 3 exams (>80%)
Price:
1 week: $895
2 week: $1,495
4 week: $2,495
