Overview

Diversity and basic ecology of the main barrier island habitats Soft sediment community structure Sampling methods in pelagic waters and subtidal benthic habitats Sampling methods on mudflats and saltmarshes Formation of barrier islands Bay-side and ocean-side water characteristics Oyster fisheries

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

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

• Become familiar with a range of organisms from a sub-tropical environment and reinforce knowledge obtained during the lecture course OSX2009 (Marine Ecology)

• Comprehend the physical and biological factors controlling local distribution patterns of sub-tropical marine organisms.

• Gain experience of operating dredges, seine nets and other sampling techniques in the shallow, warm waters of Wachapreague Bay

• Understand the concepts of marine community structure and biodiversity