Syllabus Thailand International Field Course: December 27 2016 / 15 January 2017 CFAN 3504 Vertebrate Research Design and Field Survey Techniques 1. COURSE DESCRIPTION This course provides participants with an overview of Thailand s culture and conservation challenges while students travel 2 days on Thailand s main river (Chao Praya) via a converted rice barge and then spend about 1.5 days in southern Thailand s coastal ecosystem. The group then moves northwest of Bangkok to a wildlife research station in the heart of South East Asia s largest protected area, the Western Forest Complex. Here students work closely with Thai tiger experts and the instructors to learn a set of well-developed tools for designing and carrying out surveys to assess large mammal population characteristics, size, and habitat preferences. In the latter portion of the course, the group travels to Bungboraphet, Thailand s largest freshwater wetland, where students work with Thai government bird experts to learn methods of bird capture using mist nets and procedures for banding and recording relevant data. The class then returns to Bangkok for the remaining 1.5 days where students have a free day to explore this vibrant city before departing for USA. At the end of the course, students will have: Experienced the natural and cultural beauty and diversity of Thailand Gained broad knowledge of major conservation issues in Southeast Asia Gained applied experience in designing and executing ecological field investigations for large mammals Gained applied experience with methods to study large mammals and birds Gained broad knowledge of landscape-scale conservation strategies and will be able to: Use GPS unit to effectively navigate and collect georeferenced data in the field Identify and prioritize factors affecting the survival and persistence of large mammal populations in Southeast Asia Identify and prioritize key considerations in designing robust surveys for addressing common large mammal research and management questions Identify and act upon key logistical considerations for survey implementation Appropriately apply strategies to maximize the value of teamwork in research and collaborative problem solving; Use acquired skills/knowledge to help find employment or graduate students after their return to USA. 2. and 3. General Schedule - Thailand Field Course 2016-17. Date AM Field Session PM Session Evening - 1 -
27 Dec Congregate at MSP Airport Departure for Thailand 28 Dec Somewhere over the Pacific 29 Dec 30 Dec Board barge; orientation to Thailand; safety procedures; intro to history of Thailand as we proceed up river from BKK. Chao Praya River ecology; discussion of importance of river to Thai people historically; changes in the ecology of the river; focus on water quality and invasive species (water hyacinth). 31 Dec Travel to Thap Sakae, coastal village 1 Jan 2 Jan 3 Jan 4 Jan 5 Jan Visit sustainability project (examine diverse methods of crop production) and fishing village (watch local fishermen/women return from Gulf of Thailand and unload catch); discuss importance of marine resources to Thailand and international conflicts (overfishing; human rights labor abuses) a) Koh Kret Island (intro to Mon ethic group, their use of local clay for pottery and island as a fruit producing site for BKK); b)market visit (purchase food for 2 days on barge; learn $$ system; learn simple vocabulary for shopping); c) visit temple (discussion on role of Buddhism in Thai society). Arrive at and explore Ayutthaya 800 year old city/temples that served as old capital of Thailand; overview of country history from this time period. On the road; arrive at private bungalow Swim/hike Gulf of Thailand; visit internet cafe Depart Thap Sakae; drive to Huai Kha Khaeng/Khao Nang Rum Research Station AM field station briefing and introduction of staff; lectures on Mammals of Huai Kha Khaeng and Tiger Life Cycle; PM introduction to animal tracks/signs; safety procedures. Intro to occupancy survey; GPS instruction and field exercise; practice data entry; conduct occupancy survey Prepare for Nang Ma camera Hike to tiger kill sites; collect data trapping project; lecture on goals on habitat features; identify prey and methods; students prepare 3 from skeletal remains; camera types for field installation; 6 Jan Depart for Nang Ma (NM) Arrive Nang Ma; set up camp 7 Jan Choose groups; hike to camera trap location sites to set cameras Continue AM activities; Arrive Bangkok (late), Proceed to Hotel in Bangkok Cultural orientation focused on appropriate and inappropriate personal behavior in Thai society. Free time New Year s Eve at local seafood restaurant Free time/special Thai bar b que at bungalow with Thai hosts Dinner and orientation to HKK/KNR facilities Film on research a HKK Lecture/discussion on tiger capture methods Pack for Nang Ma camping; check camping equipment Discuss plans for next 2 days of field activities; Camp at NM Camp at NM; debrief on day s observations/ activities - 2 -
8 Jan Choose groups; hike to camera trap location sites to set cameras Continue AM activities Camp at NM; debrief on day s observations/activities 9 Jan Return to KNR Research Station Free Time Plan final project 10 Jan Data acquisition/discussion Project analysis Powerpoint prep. 11 Jan 12 Jan 13 Jan Final Project Presentation to KNR staff Mist netting and banding birds at Bungborapet; Mist netting and banding birds at Bungboraphet 14 Jan Free day in Bangkok 15 Jan Depart for US (Early Morning Departure) Depart for Bungborapet/Nakhon Sawan for bird research methods component of course Explore BB wetland via boats with focus on field identification of birds and general ecology of the wetland. Depart for Bangkok Introduction to birds of BB and research methods students will use; presentation on ethics of handling and legal requirements for U.S. bird handling research; set mist-nets Free time Farewell dinner in BKK Prepare for USA departure Arrive in US around 6 PM 4. ASSIGNMENTS and EVALUATION Student evaluation is competency-based. All students are expected to and will be given the opportunity to develop specific competencies to earn an A in the course. An I ( Incomplete ) will be given only under special circumstances following discussion with instructors. Competencies are developed and assessed through readings, structured fieldwork, written assignments (see below), presentations and group discussions. To ensure students are exposed to key background and context, readings from the course packet will be assigned on a periodic basis. Active dialogue is central to the learning process and to successful collaborative research. In this class students are required to participate in group work, activities, and discussions. Participation will help instructors to focus the course on topics of interest to the class and to assess student s mastery of objective competencies. A variety of group activities are designed to help develop field and collaboration skills. A group research project will be identified and developed. The group will produce an oral presentation to the staff of Khao Nang Rum at the end of the course. Additionally, all students are expected to be positive contributors to the course experience. This includes respect for Thai culture (including honoring dress requirements); respect for other classmates and instructors; positive and proactive behavior towards field work and sharing with daily tasks (e.g. dish washing); being on time for all activities. - 3 -
Assignments and means of assessment are shown below. (Due dates will be selected prior to finalizing the class schedule and dates with our Thai partners) Assignment Various Readings Journal Occupancy Survey Assignment Format / Products Assigned in advance Journal Entries Final project Mode of Assessment Group discussion, use of concepts in journal and other written assignments Each student is responsible for 1 or 2 days to document course and reflect on experiences Group discussion and presentation Camera Trapping Exercise Assist KNR field staff Group discussion; staff input Data Quality Check Data collection and analysis Datasheets / Data Entry into database Camera trap photos/hkk maps Assessment by daily research team leaders Final project Powerpoint Presentation Overall participation Overall collegiality Regular, timely participation in all class academic activities Regular, positive contributions to well-being of group 20 photo contributions Submit to instructors Due To be assigned Day following your assigned date 1 week post class 5. Academic Qualifications: Lead Instructor: Dr. J.L. David Smith: his academic training is a PhD in Wildlife Biology from U of Minnesota with a focus on large mammals; has more than 30 years experience studying conservation of mammals in Asia, especially Thailand, Nepal, China, Cambodia and Bangladesh; first started research in Thailand in 1992. Special expertise is tiger ecology and conservation. Works as part of a tiger research team at the research station where class is held. Speaks limited Thai. Has a great interest in teaching undergrads in field settings. Has taught CFAN 3504 for 9 years; Nepal Semester Program for 3 years and a field course for FWCB in northern MN for about 25 years. Co-instructor: Dr. Francesca Cuthbert: her academic training is a PhD in Ecology from the U of Minnesota with a focus on bird ecology and conservation; has extensive experience traveling and teaching in Asia. Has also conducted research on birds in both Nepal and Thailand. Speaks limited Thai. Has been a co-instructor for CFAN 3504 for 7 years, was an instructor for the Nepal Semester Program (Ecological Services and Biodiversity - 4 -
Conservation in Nepal s Community Forests) for 3 years. Has led groups of students in the field in the U.S. and earlier in Europe and Canada for decades. - 5 -