Modiwl OSX-3002:
Marine Ecosystems and Processes

Ffeithiau’r Modiwl

Rhedir gan School of Ocean Sciences

20.000 Credyd neu 10.000 Credyd ECTS

Semester 2

Trefnydd: Dr Martin Skov

Amcanion cyffredinol

The course aims to provide students with an integrated understanding of the key abiotic and biotic drivers that shape marine communities and habitats. It aspires to give students a framework for understanding the processes that cause marine systems to persist or to change. Drawing on course content and wider degree contents, the intent is that students will pull together their wider knowledge of systems and processes into a framework centred on the concept of ‘ecosystem functioning’.

The module is structured as three types of lectures, as well as a practical component. Lectures are on: (i) The main Drivers of Marine Ecosystem Function; these lectures aim to generate in students an understanding of the factors that underpin ecosystem functioning, as well as the factors that can cause ecosystems to change; (ii) Selected Marine Ecosystems (estuarine, mangrove, coastal shelf seas, pelagic and benthic subtidal); these lectures aim to illustrate ecosystem functioning, and aspects that affect ecosystem function, in an array of marine ecosystems; and (iii) Lectures on important current Global Impacts on the functioning of marine ecosystems: climate change, ocean acidification, invasive species, coastal development and fisheries disturbance. A practical component explores functional diversity in a coral reef setting, through analysis of published data. In three practicals the dataset is processed, analysed and presented (poster presentation).

Cynnwys cwrs

The module takes as an over-arching theme the concepts of ecosystem functioning and ecosystem services. It commences with 5 introductory lectures that illustrate the factors that underpin ecosystem functioning, as well as factors that can cause ecosystems to change. The key corner-stones that underpin ecosystem processes are detailed. A particular focus is made on exploring the role of biodiversity in maintaining ecosystem functions and services. Drivers of ecosystem change and resistance to change are considered in the contexts of ecosystem resilience, system vulnerability and ecosystem regime-shifts. The role of biodiversity in maintaining resilience in marine systems is examined. Factors that determine secondary production of systems are considered, with particular focus on fisheries, marie vertebrates, zooplankton and marine benthos.

The practical shapes of ecosystem functioning, services, resilience and vulnerability are then illustrated by a series of lectures that consider the biology, ecology and conservational status of key ecosystems in detail. Systems for which particular focus is made are: estuaries, mangroves, coral reefs, coastal shelf seas, seabirds, pelagic systems and the open ocean.

The module also has emphasis on reviewing the influences of some of the most important current drivers of change in marine ecosystems (‘Global Impacts’). Six dedicated lectures examine the effects of invasive species, climate change, benthic exploration and fisheries disturbance on the functioning of marine ecosystems.

The course includes a marked course-work component. The practical component focuses on examining how guilds of coral reef fishes interact with coral reef structure. This component has particular emphasis on how functional diversity of coral reefs affect the traits of reef fishes. In the first practical session, students are asked to process an existing dataset, using R Statistics. I the second session, students progress to analyse the data and present it graphically. Students then, individually, produce a poster for assessment, from where two continuous-assessment marks arise; one poster mark arises from presenting the poster in a poster conference; the other mark is allocated to the quality of the poster itself (content, structure, design, appearance).

Meini Prawf

ardderchog

Knowledge extending beyond the directly taught programme with evidence of enquiry beyond that contained in lectures, and beyond that derived from internet resources; excellent ability to integrate lines of evidence from a range of sources to support findings and hypotheses, excellent understanding of subject specific theories, concepts and principles, good ability to consider issues from a range of multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary perspectives. Consistent and frequent referencing to relevant literature.

trothwy

Knowledge based on the directly taught programme, basic ability to integrate lines of evidence from a range of sources to support findings and hypotheses, basic understanding of subject specific theories, concepts and principles, basic ability to consider issues from a range of multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary perspectives.

da

Knowledge based on the directly taught programme with some evidence of enquiry beyond that perhaps derived from internet resources, good ability to integrate lines of evidence from a range of sources to support findings and hypotheses, good understanding of subject specific theories, concepts and principles, good ability to consider issues from a range of multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary perspectives.

Canlyniad dysgu

  1. Students will demonstrate a good knowledge of the key environmental and biological drivers that affect marine processes and ecosystem functioninng, and the relevant temporal and spatial scale at which these operate

  2. Students will demonstrate a good knowledge of the specific processes that relate to each of key marine systems addressed in the course

  3. Students will be able to integrate systems ecology with systems processes

  4. Students will have the ability to process, analyse and present a large dataset.

  5. Students will demonstrate an in-depth understanding of how biodiversity contributes to the resilience and regime shifts of marine systems, and appreciate the importance of functional diversity on ecosystem functioning.

  6. Students will have the ability to make and present a conference poster that conveys, simply and clearly, the results of a piece of research

Dulliau asesu

Math Enw Disgrifiad Pwysau
Presentation of Scientific Poster 15.00
Quality of Scientific Poster 35.00
Exam 50.00

Strategaeth addysgu a dysgu

Oriau
Private study

Directed reading based on the course content and reading lists given. The student may in addition use web-based references, videos and images. Self study in the use of R statistical analysis and use of R software.

 165
Practical classes and workshops

Four practical sessions lasting a total of 12 contact hours. This is split into three practicals: (1) a 6 hour online or computing-room based practical in which students explore data on the statistical software R. (2) A 2 hour computing-room based practical in which students analyse their data. (3) A 1 hour practical workshop in which student learn about poster making. (4) A 3 hour practical in which students present their posters. Five 1 hour online or classroom based tutorials/Q&A sessions give students assistance in solving problems with R, poster making and the course overall.

 17
Lecture

Formal lectures (18x1hr).

 18

Sgiliau Trosglwyddadwy

  • Llythrennedd - Medrusrwydd mewn darllen ac ysgrifennu drwy amrywiaeth o gyfryngau
  • Rhifedd - Medrusrwydd wrth ddefnyddio rhifau ar lefelau priodol o gywirdeb
  • Defnyddio cyfrifiaduron - Medrusrwydd wrth ddefnyddio ystod o feddalwedd cyfrifiadurol
  • Hunanreolaeth - Gallu gweithio mewn ffordd effeithlon, prydlon a threfnus. Gallu edrych ar ganlyniadau tasgau a digwyddiadau, a barnu lefelau o ansawdd a phwysigrwydd
  • Archwilio - Gallu ymchwilio ac ystyried dewisiadau eraill
  • Adalw gwybodaeth - Gallu mynd at wahanol ac amrywiol ffynonellau gwybodaeth
  • Sgiliau Rhyngbersonol - Gallu gofyn cwestiynau, gwrando'n astud ar atebion a'u harchwilio
  • Dadansoddi Beirniadol & Datrys Problem - Gallu dadelfennu a dadansoddi problemau neu sefyllfaoedd cymhleth. Gallu canfod atebion i broblemau drwy ddadansoddiadau ac archwilio posibiliadau
  • Cyflwyniad - Gallu cyflwyno gwybodaeth ac esboniadau yn glir i gynulleidfa. Trwy gyfryngau ysgrifenedig neu ar lafar yn glir a hyderus.
  • Mentora - Gallu cefnogi, helpu, arwain, ysbrydoli ac/neu hyfforddi eraill
  • Dadl - Gallu cyflwyno, trafod a chyfiawnhau barn neu lwybr gweithredu, naill ai gydag unigolyn neu mewn grwˆp ehangach
  • Hunanymwybyddiaeth & Ystyried - Bod yn ymwybodol o'ch cryfderau, gwendidau, nodau ac amcanion eich hun. Gallu adolygu ,cloriannu a myfyrio'n rheolaidd ar eich perfformiad eich hun ac eraill.
  • Arweinyddiaeth - Gallu arwain a rheoli, datblygu cynlluniau gweithredu ac amcanion, cynnig arweiniad a chyfarwyddyd i eraill, ac ymdopi â'r pwysau sy'n gysylltiedig ag awdurdod o'r fath

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