Program Description

This program familiarizes students with the basic concepts in tropical marine ecosystems with an emphasis on coral reefs. This includes scientific examination of the common biota and STET’s ecological relationships. Studies of coral reefs will help students understand the coral reefs importance in global biodiversity and their role as indicators of climate change. In accordance with the Jesuit tradition of LMU, students will also be doing an environmental service project during the course.

Courses are taught by Dr. Roy S. Houston from the LMU Biology Department. In addition, there will be guest lectures by staff at the Roatán Institute for Marine Sciences. Houston has spent many summers doing marine research in the region and has been involved in long-term reef monitoring studies on the local coral reef system.

Location

This program is held at the Roatán Institute for Marine Sciences, on the northwest coast of Isla Roatán. Students will be housed at Anthony’s Key Resort, adjacent to RIMS. Much of the island coastline lies within the jurisdiction of the Roatán Marine Park, a protected reserve for countless species of marine life. Roatán is the largest of the Bay Islands and is 30 miles off the north coast of Honduras. It is surrounded by close-in fringing and barrier coral reefs, which are part of the Meso-American reef, the second largest barrier reef in the world. Roatán is a tropical island with mean air temperatures from 77 to 84 degrees and sea temperatures in the low 80’s. Rainfall averages 80 inches, however the island is out of the main hurricane belt.