3527.18 - Marine Biology I


Course number
3527.18
Title
Marine Biology I
ECTS
7.5
Purpose
To give an introduction to life in the sea, lakes and rivers, and describe their ecology. Examples from the Faroes will be presented. The main emphasis will be on the marine environment
Content
- The pelagic environment: Plankton, ecology, and t he abiotic environment. - Primary production and the environmental constraints. - Adaptation to life in the sea. - Microbial ecology: Sedimentation and circulation in biotic and abiotic matter. - Seabed: Benthic ecology, benthic flora and fauna and their adaptation to the environment. - Trophic relationships: Trophic layers and energy-flow. - Climate change and other anthropogenic effects on the aquatic ecosystems. - Environments and life in the rivers and lakes.
Learning and teaching approaches
Lectures, problem solving, student presentations and exercises.
Learning outcomes
After completion of the course, the successful student should be able to describe: - Main taxonomic groups of phyto- and zooplankton - Basic concepts of influences of environmental factors on phytoplankton in aquatic environments - Main adaptations of phyto- and zooplankton to the environment - Benthic flora and fauna and their adaptations to the environment - Basic concepts of benthic ecology - Trophic relationships and energy flow through trophic layers - Influences of climate change and anthropogenic sources on aquatic organisms and ecosystems
Assessment method
Four-hour written examination. No auxiliary materials allowed. Marks are also given for written exercises and the average of these marks will count 20% of the final course grade.
Examination
External
Marking scale
7-
Bibliography
Biological Oceanography: An Introduction. Carol Lalli and Timothy Parsons (1997), 2nd edition. 320 pages. A Butterworth- Heinemann. ISBN-13: 978-0750633840. Basisbog i ferskvands økologi. Sand-Jensen,K., Iversen,T.M. & Lindegaard,C. (1995) 3. ed. G.E.C Gads Forlag. p. 62. ISBN: 87-12- 02028-1. (Copy from NVD). Ecology of five Faroese lakes: Summary and synthesis. Jeppesen, E., Christoffersen, K., Malmquist, H., Faafeng, B., & Hansson, L-A. 2002. Ann. Soc. Scient. Færoensis. Suppl. 36:126-139. (Copy from NVD). Stofomsætning i havbunden.Tema-rapport frá DMU, http://bioold.science.ku.dk/mkuhl/ambio/materials/PBChristense n%20DMUrapport.pdf Plankton í sjónum. Eilif Gaard og Høgni Debes, 2010. (PDF/copy from the teachers).
Contact
Eilif Gaard