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OVERVIEW For years, divers have been becoming more
environmentally aware of their surroundings, both as sight-seers and
underwater photographers. There is a tremendous diversity of people
interested in scuba diving and the ecology of two major oceanic
environments, the Kelp Forests and the Coral Reefs.
As we promote sound environmental diving techniques to help protect the
planet's ecosystems, we must also learn how to better interface with the
delicate kelp and coral environments. Through the NAUI Underwater
Ecologist courses, you will learn more about our favorite diving
environments.
Underwater Ecologist: Kelp Forest
The NAUI Underwater Ecologist: Kelp Forest
specialty course focuses on the complex and productive ecosystem bordering
much of the west coast of North America, from Alaska to Baja California.
Kelp forests are also found in other cooler coastal waters of South
America, Tasmania, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and many other
locations. This course examines the kelp forests, their occupants such as
mollusks, crustaceans, fish and marine mammals.
Underwater Ecologist: Coral Reef
Coral reefs are found in three major
biogeographic regions of the world. The tropical western Atlantic
(Caribbean), the Read Sea, and the Indo-Pacific region. Coral colonies are
composed of thousands of tiny polyps, each with its own protective
skeleton. The NAUI Underwater Ecologist: Coral Reef specialty course
focuses on the vertebrates and invertebrates of the complex living reef.
This course examines coral zonation, seagrass beds, lagoons, mangroves,
and the common reef algae, invertebrates and reef fishes.
PREREQUISITES FOR ENTERING THE COURSE
- Age. Minimum is 15 years. (Junior certification for ages 12 - 14
years is allowed. See “Policies Applying to All Courses”: Age, Junior
Certification.”)
- Certification:
NAUI Scuba Diver certification or the equivalent is
required. The instructor is to ensure adequate student knowledge and
capability before any open water training and shall use skill or other
evaluations to do so.
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