Coral Reef Ecology

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Coral Reef Ecology
BIO/EES 315 is a combination lecture and
intensive field-experiential course designed to
familiarize students with the Caribbean coral
reef biome.
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Lecture Fridays 2 315 pm
Lab Spring Break on Ambergris Caye Mar. 5
Mar. 13)
This field studies course in coral reef ecology
(BIO/EES 315) has been offered on an annual basis
at Mercer since 2003.
Because the lab is conducted over spring break,
one advantage of the course is the ease of
scheduling a 3-hour biology class without the
time constraint of a lab.
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Arrival at San Pedro from Belize International
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The Belize Tropical Ecology Research Center
(TREC) was established and is operated by Dr. Ken
Mattes and his wife Maureen.
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Accommodations include bath/bedroom suites
surrounding a swimming pool.
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A spacious common room acts as the dining room
and meeting hall
from which labs and classrooms and additional
sleeping quarters branch
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Outdoor lounge areas are appreciated after a long
day of snorkeling.
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The beach and dock are a short walking distance
from the compound.
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Our main dive boat is the Goliath, a catamaran
that lies anchored off a private dock.
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The boats serve as our daytime base of operations.
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Over our seven-day stay, we snorkel at a
diversity of marine habitats
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Night seining is always exciting
we never know what we might catch!
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The optional excursion to the Mayan ruins on the
mainland is always popular.
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Mercers 2008 Coral Reef Ecology Class
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For more information, contact Dr. Alan Smith
Willet Science Center, Rm 206 301
2042 Smith_AF_at_mercer.edu