Overview

Topics covered include predator-prey dynamics, marine disease ecology, invasive species ecology, early life history strategies of marine organisms, macroecology, population dynamics, facilitation, zonation, keystone species theory, and dispersal and metapopulations. Students are also introduced to the need for a modern ecological approach in an era when human impacts are so prevalent.

Assessment Strategy

-threshold (D) -Basic knowledge derived from the lectures and some prescribed reading, but with limited ability to critically synthesize this basic knowledge

-good (B) -Knowledge based around lectures and, for marks at the higher end of the scale, with clear evidence of reading the prescribed literature outside the lectures. The student understands the fundamentals and demonstrates some ability to critically synthesize the various strands of information.

-excellent (A) -Clear and concise presentation of the fundamentals and the details of all areas of the module supported by reading prescribed (and other) literature outside the lectures. Highly developed ability to critically synthesize the module information and to link with other modules in the programme.

Learning Outcomes

• Comprehend the physical and biological drivers of marine ecosystems.

• Gain a good grounding in ecological theory as it applies to marine ecosystems and marine communities.

• Gain experience in processing biological data from a coral reef ecosystem to: 1) identify and summarise biological community spatial patterns, 2) hypothesise the reasons behind such patterns, and 3) gain experience in dealing with data within a computer-based statistical package.

• Gain knowledge of rocky shore sampling techniques

• Understand concepts of marine community structure and biodiversity.