Our Indo-Pacific program explores the coastal and marine ecosystems of the Indo-Pacific along the Pacific and Andaman coasts of Thailand. Team members will engage in an ecological survey of key habitats on the coastal mainland and several offshore island groups. The Indo-Pacific region supports the highest diversity of tropical marine life on Earth. Hundreds of species of reef-building corals form the substrate for an ecosystem that is spatially complex, dynamic and accessible. The number of fish and other animals that are resident on the reef seems nearly uncountable, and many of these species are highly co-evolved with one another. Our time spent in the water and along the shoreline will enable us to experience firsthand lifecycles of predation, competition, and cooperation in these rich marine ecosystems.

Background Information

Maritime Southeast Asia, as this region is known, has long been a cultural crossroads; today it enjoys some of Asia’s richest ethnic diversity. Chinese sailed south as early as the 15th Century, bringing Buddhist traditions. Arab merchants came across the Indian Ocean to trade, bringing their Muslim faith, which today remains an important aspect of Malay culture. This rich cultural context enables us to focus on human ecology as we conduct our environmental studies. Several of the places we visit support ethnically distinct local populations, including indigenous groups like the Moken and the Uraklawoi, whose lifestyles and traditions contrast with those of most Thai people. Our field studies will include visits to coastal communities that fish for a living, using gear that ranges from small-scale cast nets to large commercial trawlers. The depth of their indigenous knowledge about the sea is remarkable, and we will enrich our program by tapping into this knowledge.

As we travel overland through southern Thailand, we will discover that the coastal ecosystem is utilized in many different ways. In some places, small-scale harvesting of marine resources provides a sustainable lifestyle; in other places, the human enterprise seems disruptive and unsustainable. Often, tranquil coastal communities become vulnerable to exploitation. Even within the National Parks, there are challenges to maintaining healthy marine biodiversity and ecosystem function. For example, shrimp farms coexist uneasily with the mangrove forests, which are recognized for their value as a critical buffer between land and sea, protecting the land from storms and tsunamis, and filtering sediment eroded from the land. Fish trapping for commercial purposes threatens the marine diversity and the economic base in some coral reef areas, as does poorly managed tourism development. With all these environmental challenges surrounding us, we will be able to include shoreline ecosystem management as another key focal area for the program.

Program Goals and Activities

The goal of this program is to develop a dynamic understanding of the underlying forces that shape Thailand’s most diverse ecosystems. We will explore this topic through evolutionary history, geography, and species (including human) interactions. As scientists, we will ask questions about what we observe and develop approaches to rigorously test hypotheses. Additionally, we will discuss conservation models with stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and solutions.

Through this program, we will cover the following topics in depth:

Biogeography

Why are Indo-Pacific reefs such diverse ecosystems? Why are species present in some areas but absent from others? How does the geography of Southeast Asia shape marine and terrestrial ecology? Students will learn about past and present geological features that shape biological communities. We will witness the role of terrestrial and marine barriers firsthand as we travel through Thailand’s vast coast. 

Conservation

How do we prioritize different species or ecosystems for conservation? How do we balance human and ecological demands? What are some practical challenges for developing a conservation strategy? Students will compare different conservation approaches to learn about the benefits of each. Additionally, we will discuss with Thai stakeholders how parks affect their lives.

Evolution

What shapes the diversity of coral reefs? How does a shared evolutionary history impact the adaptations of each species? We will learn about the process of evolution and explore how it shapes the fish species of Thailand’s reefs. We will also look at mutual symbiosis and predation to understand how species interactions can create new evolutionary pressures.

Research and technical field skills

How can we assess the health of the reef? How can we test the questions generated throughout the course? Students will conduct surveys of reef communities. We will learn data analysis skills to evaluate our hypotheses.

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 have a singular opportunity to assess major issues affecting marine conservation and environmental sustainability in the Indo-Pacific region, and to explore possible strategies to help meet the region’s future needs. On our program, you can expect to have direct exposure to diverse shoreline and marine ecosystems while learning about the ecology and conservation 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 Bangkok, Thailand and meet at the Bangkok Airport. Participants can decide whether to fly home on the scheduled date or remain in Thailand to travel on their own. Within Southeast Asia, we will travel as a group on both public and privately chartered transport. Examples include train, minibus, and songtaew (a truck with benches in the back that is just the right size for our class). Travel to offshore islands involves scheduled boat service. Once we reach the islands, we may hire smaller, locally operated boats to get to the most interesting field sites for snorkeling investigations and other marine field studies.

All reasonable efforts will be made to follow the activities outlined above. However, please understand that on our Thailand program, travel arrangements in Thailand 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 Southeast Asia, 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 topical camping gear, including a mattress pad and blanket or sleeping sack. A sleeping bag and cooking equipment are not necessary on this program.

Accommodations

Camping, youth hostel or rural lodge. Accommodations range from National Park bungalows to tent camping on the beach.

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.

HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

Each participant’s personal health and well-being are crucial to the success of the program and the health and well-being of its other participants.  Participants must arrive to the program having reviewed our Health and Well-Being Page.

Official Documents/Visa

You will need a current passport that does not expire until six months after the end of the program. Entry requirements for Thailand are straightforward. Wildlands Studies participants with U.S. passports can enter without obtaining a visa. Instead, you will receive an entry permit on arrival that allows you to stay long enough for our program.

Language

The course will be taught in English.

Pre-Program Logistics Packet

Detailed information regarding travel to Thailand, 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.