3527.08 - Aquatic ecology and marine biology

3527.08

Aquatic ecology and marine biology

7.5

To give an overview of biological oceanography and limnology. The course gives and overview of the pelagic and benthic environment, with examples from the Faroe Islands. Main emphasis is on the sea.

Pelagic environment:Pelagic organisms, their ecology, life conditions and abiotic environment. Primary production and environmental effects. Structure, function and adaptations of herbivores and carnivores. Cycling of organic and inorganic compounds. Life cycles of organisms. Sedimentation. The seabed: Food chains and food webs. The benthic environment and organism adaptations. Physical and chemical properties of marine sediments. Benthic flora and fauna. Their structure, function and adaptation to the environment. Detritus and sedimentation. Interspecific relations in the benthic environment. Trophic relations. Food chains and food nets. Trophic levels and energy flow. Climateic and human effects. Limnology: Freshwater lakes. Streams.

Lectures and exercises

Four-hour written examination. No auxiliary material allowed except NVD computers for writing and calculation. Marks are also given for written exercises and the average of these marks will count 20% of the final course grade. The existing grade scale will be used.

Eilif Gaard