NR 370 Coastal Environmental Ecology

Overview of Course

From coral reefs and mangrove forests to estuaries and sandy shores, coastal zones are among the most dynamic and biologically rich environments on Earth. Though they cover only a small portion of the planet’s surface, coastal habitats harbor more than a quarter of global biodiversity. Yet, because nearly half of the world’s human population lives near the coast, these ecosystems are also among the most vulnerable to human impact. This course investigates the ecological processes that shape coastal ecosystems and examines how human activities are transforming them. As we sail between ports, students will explore the ecological foundations of coastal systems and the environmental challenges they face, including overfishing, pollution, habitat loss, and climate change. In-country exploration will allow us to study a remarkable diversity of coastal environments, including the tidal bays of Morocco, mangrove-fringed estuaries of Brazil, kelp forests of South Africa, and coral reefs of Mauritius and Sri Lanka. In each port, students will consider how local communities depend on these ecosystems and how they respond to environmental pressures. By the end of the voyage, students will develop a systems-level understanding of coastal ecology and gain the tools to critically evaluate conservation and sustainability strategies across diverse ecological and social contexts, equipping them to make informed and meaningful contributions to global sustainability efforts.