This document provides information about the BIOL3070 Tropical Ecology module, which includes a 15-day field trip to Belize. It outlines the module structure, assessments, itinerary, travel arrangements, and preparations needed. Students will participate in introductory seminars, fieldwork at 3 sites, group activities and projects. Assessments include a reflective journal, group presentation, and individual report. Vaccinations, clothing, and safety protocols are also discussed to prepare students for the trip.

1. BIOL3070
Tropical Ecology
2016-17
Initial briefing

2. Overview
This module will provide first-hand experience of ecological
research in a tropical environment and give you a foundation in a
range of topics including biodiversity, community ecology,
ecosystem processes and conservation.
2
Today’s briefing
• How is the module structured?
• When is the trip?
• Where are we going?
• How are we going to travel?
• What do I need to take?
• What preparations do I need to make?

3. Module structure
Learning and Teaching
Series of pre-trip in Feb – March:
introduction to tropical ecosystems, critical
thinking and study design; risk assessments
and health & safety.
15 day field trip to Belize: 3 field sites, large
group activities, small group projects, evening
lectures and workshops.
Assessment
1. Reflective field notebook/journal: 20%
2. Small group presentation of research
project 5-10 mins: 30%
3. Individual written project report: 50%
3

4. Itinerary
4

5. Traveling to Belize

6. 1
1: Tropical Education Centre & Belize Zoo

7. 1
2
1: Tropical Education Centre & Belize Zoo
2: Las Cuevas Field Station

8. 1
3
2
1: Tropical Education Centre & Belize Zoo
2: Las Cuevas Field Station
3: Pook’s Hill Lodge

9. What do I need to take?
• Backpack or suitable lightweight luggage
• Daypack/bag
• Light sleeping bag
• Mosquito net
• Field compass
• Head torch and small handheld backup
• Personal First-aid kit: including sunscreen cream, sunburn
relief, anti-dehydration medicines, hygienic skin powder,
anti-mosquito spray.
• Vaccinations and prophylaxis
9

10. Clothing
10
• Suitable clothing:
• long trousers and log-sleeve shirts for
fieldwork (NOT jeans!), t-shirts, shorts,
socks, etc. (old cloths are suitable)
• Light hiking/sport shoes (with good ankle
support)
• Sandals (for around the accommodation)
• Raincoat/poncho (lightweight - NOT any
Gore-Tex type rain jackets)
• Hat for sun protection
• Think old cloths that you don’t mind
getting dirty - Look in your local charity
shop!

11. Suggested vaccinations
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Should be up to date with routine vaccination courses
and boosters as recommended in the UK. this should
including: Diphtheria, Polio and Tetanus
• Hepatitis A: There is low risk of infection.
• Hepatitis B: There is low risk of infection.
• Rabies: There is low risk of infection as there is no planned
contact with wild or domestic animals.
• Tuberculosis: There is low risk of infection and no
planned activities put the students at increased risk
• Typhoid: There is low risk of infection,

12. • Malaria: Anti-malarial treatment (chloroquine) will be
mandatory, alterative anti-malarial treatments can be used
follow advice ofyour GP or travel clinic.
• Zika Virus
• Dengue fever
• Chikungunya virus
• Leishmaniasis
• Botfly
• Sandworms
Malaria prophylaxis
12

13. iSurvey
• Compulsory for all students to complete
• Any “false information” provided will preVent the student
from attending the trip
• You will be emailed a link to the iSurvey today
• You have 7 days to complete the survey
13

14. H&S, Academic Integrity and Code of
Conduct
• Attendance on the trip starts as soon as you leave your
house to the moment you return to it
• You are representing the University of Southampton and we
therefore expect you to conduct yourselves responsibly
• Any behaviour deemed inappropriate/not acceptable will
result in you being sent home at your own expense
• You will be asked to sign a code of conduct before the trip
• We will write this with you following the workshops in
semester 2 14

15. Health and Safety
• All about a successful trip
• Risk assessment
• Incidents and behaviour
• What you need to tell us
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16. Risk assessment
• Why?
• Identify hazards and
control them. You will be told
• What?
Fly as a group
Accommodation and fire
Food and alcohol
Weather
Accidents in the field – clothes, hats, boots, sun block, insects,
plants, barbed wire, beaches and sea. Tell someone and call a
first aider. Use your whistle
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17. What you need to tell us
• Any allergies - latex
• Medical condition and medication
• Anxious
• Worried about anyone on the
trip tell someone
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18. 18

19. 19