After the 3 hour bus ride to the coast, the bus drove onto a ferry which easily transported them across the bay to Cat Ba. This serene island was the primary location of their research and Biology practicum. It was a chance for the students to experience nature’s authentic beauty, and apply all of their classroom knowledge to real environments and ecosystems.

On the first day, students listened to instructions and guidelines for their practicum experience. Students were told that on the last day, they must present a summary of their experience including photos, information, and personal reflections. Students also needed to ensure that this information was internalized because professors would follow-up the presentation by asking the students questions relating to their presentation. Armed with this information and expectation, students spent the next 3 days exploring and recording the diverse ecosystems present on Cat Ba, and how human activities, such as tourism, are affecting them.

The first day was a busy one, but first, students and faculty explored the Xuan Dam Mangrove Forest. This location is especially meaningful to many staff at the Faculty of Biology due to their extensive research at this location to reestablish and preserve mangrove forests. These forests have also been studied for their implications on biodiversity, ecosystem resiliency, and carbon reserves. It was a great experience for the professors to share their research legacy with the researchers of the future. Students also enjoyed understanding the effectiveness of each plant’s biological process for salt water purification and how that impacts it’s distribution. After lunch students went to the beach area to study shoreline ecosystems, and stayed well past dark to also discover more about which species are active a night. Many of these species have special adaptations to help them find prey in the dark, or defend themselves.

On day two, students compared rather isolated National Forest to the busy city market. The forest area was rather untouched by humans, and had many insects and wild flora to identify. Half of the students went to a pond to study more about fauna, while the other group trekked through the forest studying the flora. One plant that was important to Vietnamese culture and livelihoods is the Kim Giao tree. This tree is fabled to be able to detect poison, and was thus used to make chopsticks in the past. Cat Ba National Forest is proud to have a special area of the forest dedicated to the natural growth of this now quite rare tree. The faculty of Biology is very grateful to the Cat Ba National Forrest for providing guides and information about this special ecosystem to support the student’s research and learning. At the market that evening, students were able to identify several of the fish and animals which they had found on the day prior at the beach.

Finally, on the last day of natural exploration, students encountered marine ecosystems up close and personal. All students and faculty boarded a boat and traveled around Lan Ha Bay. There were plenty of opportunities for photos, swimming, and observation. Unfortunately, it is quite difficult and expensive to really understand the depth, beauty and complexity of marine life, but the students were content to observe from a distance. Fish, seagulls and some sea grasses were visible.

That evening, students had the dual responsibility of preparing their presentations for the next morning, and also generously hosted a party for their facilitating teachers. A fun evening full of fruit, candy, cake, and karaoke was had by all. However, after that, students had to work hard to prepare for their presentations; some until the early hours of the morning, to ensure that it was a success.

Of course, it was successful as the students of class 68 relayed their experience, knowledge and newfound insights to their teachers and fellow students. In the early afternoon, students packed up the buses again to head back to Hanoi.

It is experiences like this which promote the applications of biological and ecological sciences in the minds of the students. It is one thing to learn from a textbook and see a picture of environmental degradation, but it really is another level of internalized learning to see and experience these impacts in a real context. The faculty remains grateful to Hanoi National University and the many leaders of Vietnam who work to protect and preserve Vietnam’s many and diverse natural ecosystems.

Written by Alyssa Meyer

Resource Exchange International

Please send questions and comments to:

Ameyer@reiinc.org

Cat Ba practical learning 's photos