Urban Tropical Ecology in Singapore Biology / Environ 571A
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URBAN TROPICAL ECOLOGY IN SINGAPORE BIOLOGY / ENVIRON 571A Course Description (from Duke University Bulletin) Experiential field oriented course in Singapore and Malaysia focusing on human ecology, tropical diversity, disturbed habitats, Asian extinctions, and resource management. Students spend approximately three weeks in Singapore/Malaysia during the spring semester. Additional course fees apply. Faculty: Dr. Dan Rittschof, Dr. Tom Schultz General Description Singapore is a fascinating combination of biophysical, human and institutional ecology, tropical diversity, disturbed habitats, invasive species and built environments. Within the boundaries of the city state/island of Singapore one can go from patches of primary rain forest to housing estates for 4.8 million plus residents, industrial complexes, and a port that processes between 800 and 1000 ships a day. Singapore's land area grew from 581.5 km2 (224.5 sq mi) in the 1960s to 704 km2 (271.8 sq mi) today, and may grow by another 100 km² (38.6 sq mi) by 2030. Singapore includes thousands of introduced species, including a multicultural assemblage of human inhabitants. Singapore should be in the Guinness Book of World Records for its increase in relative country size due to reclamation, and for the degree of governmental planning and control for the lives of its citizens. It is within this biological and social context that this experiential field oriented seminar will be conducted. Students will experience how this city state functions, and how it has worked to maintain and enhance the quality of life of its citizens while intentionally and unintentionally radically modifying its environment, in the midst of the extremely complicated geopolitical situation of Southeast Asia. The general hypothesis is that a people’s history and culture determines their political economy, all of which plays out in their relationship to the built and natural environments. Southeast Asia in general, and Singapore specifically, is a wonderful place to explore this hypothesis. After an orientation in Beaufort, the class will travel to Singapore. While in Singapore, we will be loosely affiliated with the School of Design and Environment of the National University of Singapore (http://www.sde.nus.edu.sg/). Students will chose a research topic on some aspect of environmental policy and management of Singapore prior to arrival in Singapore, and will present the results of their inquires after return to the US. The course requires emotional and physical stability, cultural sensitivity, and patience and persistence to fully reveal its wonders. Student Projects Each student, or groups of students, will select a topic related to Singapore’s Urban Tropical Ecology, and research that topic while in Singapore. The research will culminate in a presentation to the class when we return to Beaufort. No paper will be required. Possible Project Topics § Green Connectors and animal invasions. § Natural Resource Conservation § City/Country Planning § Wastewater Issues § Aqua/mariculture § Role of Religion in Conservation § Park/Natural Area Management § Shipping and Transportation § Population Policy § CITES and T/E Species Issues § Funding and Conduct of Science § Environmental Education § Environmental Advocacy § Resource Conservation and the Military Also, while in Singapore we would like the students to consider creating a blog such as http://dukestudentsinsingapore.blogspot.com/ Logistics Arrive Singapore evening late Sunday (February 17) or just after Midnight Monday morning (February 18). Students will need to take taxi to Pasir Panjang Inn at 404 Pasir Panjang Road. Public transportation via bus and metro is possible in the daytime, but not possible after midnight. We will discuss how to proceed in Beaufort. In general there is no tipping in Singapore. Get receipts for ground transport you will be reimbursed. Accommodations Pasir Panjang Inn 404 Pasir Panjang Road Singapore 118741 [email protected] Phone: (65) 6778 8511 Fax: (65) 67791097/68724989 Two students will be paired to a room - please be prepared to choose a roommate. Meals There will one or two group meals paid by Duke, but you will be responsible for paying for most of your meals. Breakfast is included at the hotel (eggs, sausage, toast, - Chinese rice or noodles on request- coffee or tea). Travel in Singapore Bus, Subway, Ferry, Walking, EZ Link Card and Cash, Taxis,. All transportation is relatively inexpensive. There will be morning introductions and afternoon wrap-ups most days at the hotel, the National University of Singapore (NUS). Most Nights are free. Those that are not are on the detailed syllabus DUML Prior to departure: Briefing on travel and expectations & behavior while in Singapore. Tentative Schedule Plan on arriving about 5 minutes prior to the departure time. WE WILL LEAVE YOU IF YOU ARE NOT ON TIME. [Times are approximate – check each evening for next day-there is no such thing as fashionably late. If we leave without you you will be expected to find us.] **Always Carry EZ-link Card** SINGAPORE o Arrive in Singapore ~12midnight Day 1 o Maxicab to Pasir Panjang Inn o Gardens by the Bay Day 2 o Marina Barrage o Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) o Kent Ridge to Harbor Front (Southern Ridges) o Lunch at Harbor Front Day 3 o Dan gives NIE Lecture (Lik Tong Tan), Pharmaceuticals and fouling mgmt. (evening) o Bishan Wetlands (fin clipping) Day 4 o Maxwell Food court for lunch o National Museum o Crangi Wetlands o Bolywood Veggies o Sungei Buloh Day 5 o Frog Farm o Cemetary o Bus all day o Alexandra Rd Stacked Wetlands o Alexandra Village Food court for lunch Day 6 o Dan to give MEM talk at NUS (6:00p School of Environment and Design, rm LR425) o Tekka Market Day 7 o Little India Day 8 o Temple Crawl o St. Johns Island and Tropical Marine Studies Institute Day 9 o Kusu o Comey Island (sampling?) o Botanical Gardens Day 10 o Changi Village for lunch o Pulau Ubin/ChekJawa o Kalang River walk (sampling-?) o Natural History Museum (3:00) Day 11 o (snack) o Sodhi Memorial Lectures (evening/dinner) o PSA Building (11:00a): 460 Alexandra Rd (ground floor office lobby) Day 12 o Zero Energy Building (Building & Construction Authority): 3:00 o Public Utility Board briefing (PUB)--room?? Day 13 o 6pm Dinner Copitam Food Court, White Sand Mall o Pasir Ris mangroves, snake hunting Day 14 o Quest Day o Hike the MacRitchie reservoir Day 15 o (Mr. Ko bus) o Bukka Tima o Brunch at Alazar Day 16 o Trip to Tioman/Dayang Island, Malaysia Day 17 • Dayang Island, Malaysia Day 18 o Return from Tioman Island o Orchid Gardens o NParks briefing: 10:30a Botany Center Day 19 o Lunch at Samy’s Curry o US Embassy—3:00 o Student presentations Day 20 Class adjourns around noon Singapore Packing List Clothes: how many of everything depends on what you’re comfortable with and if you’re traveling somewhere else during break. While you’re in Singapore you don’t switch hotels, so you don’t have to move your luggage around a lot. You don’t need to dress up, but you also don’t need to dress like you’re going backpacking (zip-offs and dirty t-shirts) when you’re not going out in the field. At the end of every day, it helps to confirm the itinerary for the next day, and see what you should bring/wear to be well prepared. • It’s always hot and humid. Synthetic fabric shorts are great if you have them. Cotton shirts are ok, but you’ll have to wear everything multiple times. Pick clothes that’ll still look ok after you’ve worn them a few times. • Don’t pack jeans. You won’t wear them. • Skirts are great because they roll up small and you can pack a lot • Tank tops are acceptable, just don’t show a ton of skin, and realize that there are some places you will not want to wear them (primarily Muslim and other religious locations). Same goes for shorts. Dress like you’re walking around a city, not going to the beach, especially when you’re meeting colleagues at NUS (just be respectful). • When you’re going out into the field, dress for it. Wear clothes you can get muddy, stained, bug-sprayed etc. • Light, long sleeved shirts are great for sun protection and keeping the bugs off • I always carried a long-sleeved shirt or light sweater for air conditioned buildings. • Bring a backpack to carry around every day (water, sunscreen, etc.) • Also bring a small purse—good for when you’re going out at night or for shorter day trips. When you do carry a backpack, don’t keep important things like your passport and wallet in the small front pocket. • Raincoat: I never had it when I needed it. But bring one anyway. Shoes: • a pair with closed toes that won’t get sucked off in deep mud for hiking around the mangroves (this is important, there are sometimes sharp things in the mud) • maybe another closed-toe pair for visiting the U.S. Embassy/Parliament - it depends on what you’re comfortable with. I had to wear zip-off pants and running shoes, which I thought looked less appropriate than sandals and a nice shirt. But no sandals—those are the rules. • Another pair of shoes or sandals (like Chacos or Tevas) for reef walk and hiking. You don’t want to wear wet shoes on a long walk or you’ll end up with blisters—it’s best to have two pairs of good walking/hiking shoes. • comfortable sandals (Rainbows were fine) If you need to pack light all you really *NEED* are a pair of running/athletic shoes, some good closed-toe athletic sandals or water shoes, and comfortable everyday sandals.