Field Course
iSCB includes 2.5 days of field excursions – one half-day field trip and a continuous two-day field course to the islands of Cres and Lošinj. Field excursions are led by a team of field instructors. Through their presentations and field activities students gain a first-hand insights in how conservation biology works in the real-world situations.
We provide all students with free accommodation during filed course (two nights), thanks to support from our co-founders.
Field Instructors:
Goran Sušić, PhD – field course coordinator, Cres Island
Institute of Ornithology, Croatian Academy of Science and Arts, Croatia
Peter Mackelworth, PhD – field course coordinator, Lošinj Island
Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation, Croatia
Field Excursion1
Endemic populations and isolated habitats - subterranean habitats, karst ecosystems
Through a half-day field trip to the “Baredine” cave and a guest lecture by Prof. Dr. Boris Sket students gain an insight into biodiversity of subterranean ecosystems and problems related to human influence and conservation.
Field Excursion 2
Terrestrial conservation case-study: the Griffon Vulture Conservation Project
On the example of griffon vultures and visit to the Research-Educational Centre for the Protection of Nature “Caput Insulae” on the Cres Island, students get an practical example on the need for holistic ecosystem management for species and biodiversity conservation. Field lectures are given by. Dr. Goran Sušić, project director of the Griffon Vulture Conservation Project.
Field Excursion 3
Marine conservation and protected area planning case-study: the Lošinj Dolphin Reserve
The Blue World Institute of Marine Research and Conservation runs a long-term research project on bottlenose dolphins in waters of Lošinj-Cres Archipelago. This population has faced a decline of about 40% in the last 15 years and today only 100 dolphins frequent the area. With the aim of protection of this population, Blue World Institute proposed the establishment of the first marine protected area in the Mediterranean dedicated to bottlenose dolphins – the Lošinj Dolphin Reserve (LDR). A team of experts involved in research and creation of LDR led by Dr. Peter Mackelworth, conservation director of the Blue World Institute, will present different aspects of applied science and policy necessary for establishment of an MPA, and the role of MPAs in conservation of marine biodiversity.
For more information on the field trip locations please visit:
Tourist board of Cres Island
Tourist board of Lošinj Island
Mali & Veli Lošinj