Biodiversity Field Program

Field Study Objectives

The major objectives of the program are:

1. To familiarize students with the diversity of tropical ecosystems and its conservation using Kerala as a model for tropical country.
2. To understand the species composition and adaptations of the types within each ecosystems. In aquatic habitat emphasize will be on  freshwater, brackish, marine and mangrove ecosystems while in terrestrial ecosystem, the evergreen tropical forests, moist deciduous forests, shola forests, scrub jungles and grasslands will be of focus.
3. To get an insight into the dynamics of different types of ecosystems in the tropics.
4. To make comparative evaluation of undisturbed and disturbed ecosystems in Kerala in relation to conservation efforts.
5. To understand and evaluate the impact of human action on the environment
6. To asses sustainability and measures of conservation of the environment.
7. To compare temperate ecosystem with that of a tropical ecosystem.

Field School Outcome

The field school curriculum emphasize on valuable skills like:

1. Biodiversity Estimation
2. Identification of common flora and fauna
3. Water quality testing and pollution studies
4. Structure of tropical forests
5. Wild life management
6. Changing patterns of vegetation
7. Identification of tropical crops and farming techniques
8. Soil quality testing & soil profiles
9. Conservation issues
10. Economic biology & ethnobotany
11. Nature photography
12. Preparation of inventory of freshwater, backwater and marine fishes and other aquatic life forms
13. Comparative ecological study of various ecosystems
14. Study of Agrobiodiversity and mixed farming systems
15. Organic farming protocols with local farmers
16. Impact of rubber, tea and coffee plantations on forest ecology
17. Human ecology and cultural studies
18. Biology of wetland birds Vs terrestrial birds

Field School Sample Itinerary

The sample itinerary is prepared for students and professors interested with the incredible biotic wealth of Kerala. The tour highlights diverse ecosystems, flora and fauna of Kerala as well as associated conservation issues. The tour starts from marine ecosystem and ends with various types of tropical forests.

Day 1 Welcome to Kerala
Day 2 Mangrove forest and marine ecology - Cochin
Day 3 Wetland ecology & fisheries - Kumarakom
Day 4 Cultural exchange & Ayurveda - Kottayam
Day 5 Tropical agriculture & horticulture - Mundakayam
Day 6 Highland ecology and plantations - Kumily
Day 7 Tropical rainforests & wildlife – Periyar Tiger Reserve
Day 8 Tropical flora and fauna - Periyar Tiger Reserve
Day 9 Shola and montane forests – Munnar
Day 10 Scrub Jungles, dry deciduous and wild life - Chinnar
Day 11 Avian fauna: wetland Vs terrestrial - Thattekadu
Day 12 Leave Kerala

Note:  This is only a sample itinerary. Tropical green school develops field school curriculum in accordance with the curriculum needs of US universities. We have several biodiversity study tour itineraries for initiating discussions with professors interested in developing field study program in Kerala through IISAC’s Tropical Green School.

For more information contact:
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