Fri,
02/09/2024 – 10:04am | By: Ivonne Kawas
Students at The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) used the January 2024 intercession
to immerse themselves into diverse ecosystems during a two-week tropical ecology study
abroad trip to the Central American country of Belize.
USM professors of ecology and organismal biology in the School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences, Dr. Mac Alford (expert in botany) and Dr. Nicole Phillips (expert in marine biology),
served as the guides for the students as they learned about the local tropical flora
and fauna and visited several different ecosystems: coral reefs, pine savannahs, rainforests,
and mangrove swamps.
“For many students, this study abroad class tends to be their first overseas experience,
and our hope is that it changes their lives for the better,” said Dr. Phillips.
“We hope it broadens their horizons, opens them to new avenues of biological research,
and fosters awareness of global environmental issues,” adds Dr. Alford.
Noah Williamson, a native of Hattiesburg, Miss., who is pursuing a double major in
conservation biology and geography, reflects on how traveling to Belize enhanced his
educational experience.
“The flora, fauna, and culture were entirely novel to me, and every new experience
I had, every new critter I saw, left me in awe,” said Williamson. “As a student, I
felt I learned far more on this trip than I could have in a lecture-based intersession.
Learning in the field and immersing oneself in the culture of another country not
only aids in the understanding and retention of concepts but also makes the learning
experience much more fun!”
A Day in the Life in Belize
As soon as the students set foot in the tropics, they dive right into studying tropical
ecosystems, biodiversity, and conservation.
The day generally starts early with morning bird walks. Afterwards, students have
breakfast and proceed to enjoying a plant hike. They take a lunchbreak and work on
journaling and species identifications. This is followed by more hikes or work on
hands-on experiments and research projects. Later, they have dinner and then go for
a night walk to encounter nocturnal creatures.
On some days, students switch things up by exchanging the terrestrial adventures with
marine experiences. They go snorkeling along the second-largest barrier reef in the
world and engage in non-biological activities like cave tubing and visiting Maya historical
sites. To engage with local communities, students visit with artisans who share their
traditions and teach them how to make chocolate and Belizean rice and beans.
“My favorite part of the trip was definitely the early morning and late-night walks,”
said Williamson. “While I knew there was great biodiversity in the tropics, nothing
can compare to the experience of seeing it for yourself, which is exactly what we
did on those walks. I woke up before dawn and went to bed well after dusk almost every
night just to make sure I didn’t miss a single experience.”
The Diversity of the Tropics
Home to thousands of species of exotic birds, wildlife, and flowers, students are
exposed to sightings of unique and rare species. Dr. Alford highlights that this year
marked an exceptional period for sightings compared to previous trips.
“During our expedition we identified 225 bird species,” said Dr. Phillips. “The excitement
began with a crested guan, a welcomed sight, as they are becoming scarce in more populated
areas due to hunting. The Cockscomb Basin Wildlife Sanctuary provides a protected
haven for this turkey-sized bird and is one of the only places to see this species
in Belize. The first morning also brought a delightful encounter with the national
bird of Belize and one of the students’ favorites, the Keel-billed Toucan.”
As the group continued exploring, Dr. Alford says they encountered a rich tapestry
of plant life, including a rare find in his years of teaching in Belize.
“A student spotted unique ladle-like structures on the ground, identified as bat-feeding
nectaries from a woody vine (Marcgravia) high in the canopy — the first find in our years of teaching in Belize.”
To cap off the trip, Dr. Phillips notes that the challenges of nocturnal and elusive
terrestrial species were met with notable sightings.
“Mammals can be particularly challenging in the tropics as terrestrial species are
nocturnal and can be very elusive,” said Dr. Phillips. “With hikes in the evenings,
we documented seeing species such as the Collared Anteater, Kinkajou, Gibnut, Agouti,
White-nosed Coati, and various opossum species. Additionally, on the marine realm,
we saw the West Indian Manatee and Bottlenose Dolphin.”
As the group bid farewell to Belize’s natural wonders, Dr. Alford reinforces the invaluable
role that experiential learning plays in the student journey.
“This trip, marked by exceptional sightings and newfound knowledge, has inspired our
students, with many considering graduate education in biology or pursing research
internships overseas.”
Learn more about upcoming Study Abroad trips.