Our Philippines program explores the marine and terrestrial ecosystems of five adjacent Philippine islands located within The Coral Triangle in the Indo-Pacific. Team members will survey patterns of marine biodiversity to understand how species arise and diversify focusing on the most diverse ecosystem on earth: coral reefs. We will snorkel on breathtaking coral reefs at five different islands in the Visayas archipelago to learn how factors such as spatial complexity and ecological disturbances support such speciose communities. We will also hike dramatic limestone mountains to observe the biogeography of the Visayas archipelago and witness rich rainforests and the unique communities that live there. Students will contextualize evolution and conservation theory with firsthand observations of the rich ecosystems of the Philippines.

Background Information

The Philippines holds a rich history as a cultural crossroads of maritime voyagers and trade routes. Repeated migrations led to cultural and religious diversity, with unification of the archipelagos only occurring under Spanish colonization in the 16th century. Since independence, the Philippines has been known as a vibrant and diverse country that boasts rich natural ecosystems.

The greater Malay Archipelago played a foundational role in Alfred Russell Wallace’s development of the hypothesis later termed the Wallace Line. This hypothesis highlights the role of zoogeography in evolution. Modern research still focuses on the remarkable diversity of the Philippines to understand speciation.

The Coral Triangle, where the Philippines is located, is renowned as the most biodiverse ecoregion in the world, leading to a large body of work on how biodiversity arises and is maintained. Additionally, the Philippines is home to a number of endemic terrestrial species, such as the Philippines Tarsier and the Tamaraw, both of which are the focus of conservation programs. The Philippines islands are an ideal location to investigate evolutionary diversification and conservation in action.

Program Goals and Activities

Our team will meet in Cebu City on the island of Cebu, Philippines. Moving in an easterly circle, we will examine four additional island ecosystems and finish near the capital city of Manila, from which students will fly home. With the islands of the Visayas archipelago as our study site, students will learn the dynamics of island biogeography and the impact of island systems on the surrounding coral reef. Our time on each island will grant us the opportunity to understand resource use and compare the impacts of such on biodiversity.

A very exciting component of our field study will be the opportunity to examine and better understand the evolutionary history that supports adaptation and niche creation of fishes. For this, we will use the case study of the lionfish, Pterois volitans. Lionfish are equipped with a suite of adaptations that help them survive in their native range of the Philippines. However, when they were introduced in the Western Atlantic, these same adaptations helped them to prey upon and outcompete native fishes, making them one of the most destructive marine invasions in history. With a specific focus on defensive spines and venom, we will explore the adaptations and ecological interactions to understand how an evolutionary mismatch has helped these invaders succeed in their introduced range.

With the Visayas archipelago as our classroom, we will conduct multiple surveys to understand what factors support diversity, including currents, human impacts, and geological history. With our start on Cebu Island, we will explore the rugged mountains of Mt Mauyog and Mt Manunggal, and make observations to support our current understanding of Zoogeography and evolution. We depart Cebu via ferry to the island of Bohol, home to the marine sanctuary of Balicasag. Here we will initiate our marine studies, and get our first glimpse at our focal species, the lionfish. We also plan to visit the Philippine Tarsier sanctuary to learn about targeted conservation efforts of this endemic primate.

Our third location is Siquijor and the adjacent island of Negros, named by the Spanish settlers. Known for pristine coral reefs and the tallest peak of the Visayas, the semi-active Kanlaon Volcano, team members can expect to witness incredible biodiversity both on land and sea, and learn firsthand about the island’s efforts for sustainable growth and conservation. We intend to conduct field studies at the Sambulawan underground river; the island of Negros; and the Dauin reef. Our field activities will also likely include an investigation of Panay, where research in aquaculture of milkfish or bangus occurs; and Mindoro, home to the endangered Tamaraw and a network of conservation efforts.

Please note that prior field research experience is not required. All necessary skills of data acquisition will be taught on-site. Through our field studies we will make original observations to evaluate fundamental hypotheses for biodiversity. Team members can expect to have direct exposure to diverse marine and terrestrial ecosystems while learning about the conservation and sustainable development of those ecosystems.

Academic Credit

Students will receive 15 quarter credits/10 semester credits from Western Washington University. Our staff will be happy to explain the program in further detail to the applicant’s advisor, if necessary. This field studies program gives credit in three courses: 

Environmental Wildlands Studies (5 quarter credits/3.35 semester credits)
Environmental Field Survey (5 quarter credits/3.35 semester credits)
Wildlands Environment and Culture (5 quarter credits/3.35 semester credits)

Letter grades are determined by the quality of assigned work, and by participation in field activities. Students will take two examinations during the program. Material covered on the exams includes field observations, class presentations, information gathered from interviews with local people, and assigned readings. Other assignments may include supervised ecological field research on an introductory level. Team members are also evaluated on participation in discussions and other class activities.

Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a mature and responsible manner. Wildlands Studies reserves the right to require any student to withdraw from the program if their conduct is detrimental to or incompatible with the interests, safety, or welfare of any course participants. We ask all students to read the Student Program Manual before joining the program on-site.

Team Logistics

Participants will fly into Cebu City, Philippines and meet at the Cebu Airport. We will finish in Manila and students will fly out of Manila airport. Participants can decide whether to fly home on the scheduled date or remain in the Philippines to travel on their own.

Within the Philippines, we will travel as a group on both public and privately chartered transport. Examples include minibuses and scheduled ferries. Once we reach the islands, we may hire smaller, locally operated boats to get to our field sites.

All reasonable efforts will be made to follow the activities outlined above. However, please understand that on our Philippines program, travel arrangements can remain tentative until the traveling actually takes place. Weather conditions, road closures, as well as bureaucratic considerations may affect our plans. Wildlands Studies has put together an innovative, unique program in the Philippines, and team members need to be flexible, patient, and prepared to adapt to unexpected situations. Being flexible also allows us to take advantage of unique opportunities that can produce some of the program’s most memorable moments. Participants are required to provide their own tent and tropical camping gear, including a mattress pad and blanket, sleeping sack, or lightweight sleeping bag. Cooking equipment is not necessary on this program.

Accommodations

Accommodations range from camping sites in the mountains or on the beach to dormitory style housing.

Food

Food is handled differently on each of our programs. Wildlands Studies will provide the majority of meals on this program utilizing local cafes, cultural centers and food provided by our in-country partners. Participants will be responsible for purchasing occasional meals, snacks, and any personal items. Detailed information about meals and food management will be provided in the Logistics Packet. If you have dietary questions or concerns, please call our office.

Official Documents/Visa

You will need a current passport that does not expire until six months after the end of the program. You will also need to obtain a three-month Tourist Visa from a Philippine consulate in the United States or other country. Please complete your visa application in plenty of time before the program starts, because the process may take longer than expected. If your passport is from a country other than the U.S., Canada, E.U., or British Commonwealth, please check with the Philippine Embassy to make sure that all of these visa policies apply to you.

Language

The course will be taught in English.

Pre-Program Logistics Packet

Detailed information regarding travel to the Philippines, and visa requirements, equipment/gear requirements, food costs, meeting plans, group expenses payment, medical and vaccination recommendations, and academic preparations will be sent to all team members in a logistics letter emailed about 10-12 weeks before the program starts.