MANGROVES: ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND PROBLEMS ASSESSMENT

Morning session: 

• Transfer from Cartagena to Santa Marta.
• Observation of the ecosystems present in the Ciénaga de la Virgen.
• Visit to the National Park Isla de Salamanca.

LUNCH

• Tour of the Los Cocos interpretive trail (km 10, first bridge in the mangrove area and in a state of conservation.

Afternoon session: (Arrival in Santa Marta)

• Technical introduction to the course: Explanation of general aspects related to the topic of mangroves.

DINNER IN THE HOTEL

OBSERVE AND PERCEIVE MANGROVES AND THEIR SURROUNDINGS

The activities of this day will be developed in the Ciénaga Grande, with learning focused on the ecology, biodiversity, and the physical processes and hydrological connectivity of the ecosystem.

Morning session:  

• Breakfast in the Hotel (6:00 am)
• Transfer to Puente de la Barra (7:00 am)
• Place:  Tourist pier at Boca de la Barra (fresh and salt water paths). The Sevilla River and other rivers interconnected through Bogoducto (Sierra Nevada and uses of the agricultural zone – diversity of mangrove species). Barravieja (observation of fallen mangroves). Caño grande.

SNACK IN THE FIELD (sustainable products)

Afternoon session: 

LUNCH IN THE HOTEL

• The day will close with a theoretical session to analyze the field information and reflect on the day’s learning.
• Talk about the physical and biological forces that define mangrove dynamics (general and local panorama).

DINNER 

Cultural activity. 

ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND TECHNOLOGIES FOR SUSTAINABILITY, BLUE CARBON AND THE BLUE ECONOMY

Field visit to understand ecosystem services: ecotourism and mangrove by-products (fisheries and blue carbon). Application of field technologies and sampling techniques of carbon reservoirs (contrast of measurements). The ecosystem services of mangroves will be studied and understood, as well as the importance of their conservation and what the Ciénaga has meant for local communities.

Morning session:

• Breakfast in the Hotel
• Transfer to and tour of Buena Vista, and the local fish hatchery with the local fishers’ association.
• Begin in Caño Clarín with a stop at the Ciénagas Pajarales (km 22)

SNACK

• Visit to the “stilt towns” of Buena Vista and/or Nueva Venecia: Bird-watching activity with members of this community, as an ecotourism option in the region. Tour of the mangroves and the fish hatchery that is being developed.

Afternoon session:

• Visit to the Nueva Venecia school, and local experience with environmental technology students and their teacher.

LUNCH

• While returning to the hotel, a technical stop will be made to observe carbon capture techniques.

DINNER IN THE HOTEL

BEYOND BLUE CARBON: DISCUSS, LEARN, PROPOSE

Morning session:

Breakfast in the Hotel

Transfer to the UTadeo (7:30 am) – Checkout from Hotel

• 8:00 am to 10:00 am: Theoretical session to analyze the information collected and observed in the field. Talks about measuring carbon and ecosystem services
• 10:00 am to 12:00 pm:  Talks about landscape ecology and anthropic factors.

Afternoon session:   

LUNCH IN EL RODADERO

• 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm: Explanation of economic valuation techniques and the social context for a blue economy, with emphasis on business models in which the community plays an important role.
• 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm: Talk about policies.

Close:

Socialization of experiences, previous academic and/or business knowledge, and the construction of a text by the course participants regarding their external point of view on the study area of the course and its local problems.

RETURN TO CARTAGENA