Posted in Sigatoka: Coral Coast and Sand Dunes, iBrowser Image | Comments Closed
2. Introduction to Biogeography and Ethnobiology
- This portion is based on a fieldbook compiled by Randy Thaman for GE202:
Introduction to Biogeography and Ethnobiology. - Major fieldtrip assignment: Navai Village and Mt. Tomaniivi (Victoria) and the Sigatoka Sand Dunes.
- Materials provided include:
- Aerial photos of the Sigatoka Sand Dunes (1:1600)
and of the Navai Village/Tomaniivi Area (1:4000) - A 9 x 9 in aerial photograph of the Sigatoka Sand Dunes (1:13,000)
- 1:250,000 topographic map of Viti Levu.
- Fieldbook and community-based biodiversity conservation questionnaire.
- Flowers of the Pacific Island Seashore, Whistler, 1992.
- Other selected handouts.
Assessment
- Research basis is solid. A comprehensive report on the Sigatoka area (Koroyanitu National Park) came out already in 1996 (see A Special Issue on the Koroyanitu National Park, DomoDomo, 1996). There exists also a video tape which is about setting up a marine protected area in a village in the region with community participation.
- Advantages: This site is easily accessible. It is the field research sites for both integrated coastal management (Bill Aalbersberg and his group) and biogeography and ethnobiology (Randy Thaman). In the Sigatoka region, there are environmentally motivated activities such as mangrove reforestation.
- Possible Disadvantages: The site has been explored by both groups over the years and may not provide extra incentives for the people involved (including, very important, for graduate research assistants for the project). Participation of international/local NGOs and the interest from the government side may be stronger where there are new development.
- When the new curriculum is to be based on on-going research projects in order to promote students’ participation and to shorten the time-lag between research and education, the Sigatoka case is already well-examined and recorded.
- In all, the contribution of the project in curriculum development may prove marginal.