Talks by Jennifer Rahn
"Beaches and coral reefs are critical ecosystems in the tropics. Both of these environments are u... more "Beaches and coral reefs are critical ecosystems in the tropics. Both of these environments are under many climate-related changes. For example, the Caribbean region experienced on average a sea-level rise compared to land-levels of nearly 4 inches (10 cm) during the 20th century. This paper illustrates how low cost survey equipment can be used to map and monitor the beaches and adjacent coral reefs on the small Caribbean island of Saba, Dutch West Indies. There are few previous studies that have analyzed beach-to-reef interactions and dynamics at this spatial resolution (100 foot intervals) and temporal resolution (weekly). Results are helping researchers and marine protected area managers in the region in understanding how these two important environments work together.
Keywords:
coral reef, beach, beach profile, Saba, Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean
"
Marine turtles are threatened and endangered throughout the world and in the Caribbean. Although ... more Marine turtles are threatened and endangered throughout the world and in the Caribbean. Although we know in general about the movements of marine turtles, little is known about the spatial patterns of their life history. The study site is the Dutch island of Saba, which is a 13 square kilometer volcanic island in the Caribbean. The entire island is surrounded by a Marine Park and few other places on earth can match the beauty of this relatively remote location where turtles enjoy complete protection. Approximately 5,000 tourists visit Saba to SCUBA dive annually, and there are strict rules curtailing all but passive photography of the turtles by divers. The dive shops report that on every recreational dive there is at least one diver taking pictures with an underwater camera. On most of these dives a sea turtle is sighted, and often photographed. Most of these turtles are juveniles who stay in the general vicinity of the island for many years. This presentation discusses the conceptual design, limitations and methodology of using volunteer divers and social networking (Facebook) for marine animal monitoring and mapping.
Papers by Jennifer Rahn
Abstract: Scuba diving is a way to explore the underwater world in new and different ways. PADI S... more Abstract: Scuba diving is a way to explore the underwater world in new and different ways. PADI Specialty Diver courses teach new techniques and give divers the tools to enhance their underwater experiences. The Saba Eco Immersion began as a two-week international Jan-term college course in 2009. Over the intervening years it has culminated in Samford students implementing an interdisciplinary dive-related research project after completing PADI Open water and Advanced Open Water certifications. This paper will discuss the process of moving from the initial phases of the academic course to the new PADI Eco Immersion Distinctive Specialty Course on the island of Saba, Dutch Caribbean. Sea Saba instructors wrote the specialty diver course and its first implementation during Jan-term 2015 will be discussed.
Rahn, J.L.; Lannon, H.J.L., and Mossa, J., 0000. Diver depth-gauge profiling beyond wading depths... more Rahn, J.L.; Lannon, H.J.L., and Mossa, J., 0000. Diver depth-gauge profiling beyond wading depths: A new simple method for underwater surveying. Journal of Coastal Research, 00(0), 000-000. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208.
Typically, students from a wide variety of academic majors and backgrounds enroll in introductory... more Typically, students from a wide variety of academic majors and backgrounds enroll in introductory Geographic Information System (GIS) courses. In these classes, students learn the basic analytical skills and geographic science in order to appropriately use a GIS, while also learning the mechanics of a particular GIS program. In order to engage the class more fully in the learning process, we ask each student to select a topic that captures his/her interest (for example their major, hobbies, sports, or other interests) and to create a GIS lab around it. Also, we ask our students to solve some GIS questions using resources other than the instructor(s). As students in the GIS classes realize their work requires a skill not fully covered in their previous course work, they need to learn the steps to accomplish the task(s). After discovering the solution, the students write the procedures, which then become incorporated into a student-generated GIS reference manual. This manual acts as a resource to all students and faculty using GIS. These projects require the students to engage problem-solving and communication skills in addition to their GIS abilities. We have found that in generating and executing these exercises they cover a variety of pedagogical goals.
Typically, students from a wide variety of academic majors and backgrounds enroll in introductory... more Typically, students from a wide variety of academic majors and backgrounds enroll in introductory Geographic Information System (GIS) courses. In these classes, students learn the basic analytical skills and geographic science in order to appropriately use a GIS, while also learning the mechanics of a particular GIS program. In order to engage the class more fully in the learning process, we ask each student to select a topic that captures his/her interest (for example their major, hobbies, sports, or other interests) and to create a GIS lab around it. Also, we ask our students to solve some GIS questions using resources other than the instructor(s). As students in the GIS classes realize their work requires a skill not fully covered in their previous course work, they need to learn the steps to accomplish the task(s). After discovering the solution, the students write the procedures, which then become incorporated into a student-generated GIS reference manual. This manual acts as a resource to all students and faculty using GIS. These projects require the students to engage problem-solving and communication skills in addition to their GIS abilities. We have found that in generating and executing these exercises they cover a variety of pedagogical goals.
Conference Presentations by Jennifer Rahn
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Talks by Jennifer Rahn
Keywords:
coral reef, beach, beach profile, Saba, Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean
"
Papers by Jennifer Rahn
Conference Presentations by Jennifer Rahn
Keywords:
coral reef, beach, beach profile, Saba, Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean
"