1) to know the biological structure of the ocean and its relation to the oceanographic physical and chemical processes;
2) to understand the environmental factors and processes that shape and control the abundance and distribution of oceanic organisms in diverse spatial and time scales;
3) To describe the main adaptations of the organisms to environmental factors of the ocean, and how the latter are biologically determined;
4) To understand the structure and function of biological components of the ocean;
5) To describe methodologies for the evaluation of the biomass, growth, and mortality of marine organisms.
1. Introduction. Historical and present perspectives. Fundaments of ocean ecology;
2. Primary production. Phytoplancton: diversity, photosynthesis and ecology. Habitat determinants of primary production in the sea. Primary production global patterns;
3. A sea of microbes: archaea, bacteria, protists, fungi and viruses in the marine pelagic. Microbial loop. Biogeochemically important organisms. Carbon cycling, biological pump and climate regulation;
4. The zoology of zooplankton Diversity, herbivory and migrations;
5. Nekton. Diversity and ecology. Meso- and bathypelagic organisms. Pelagic food webs;
6. Ecological geography of the oceans. Biogeography of pelagic and benthic habitats. Biome and province analysis of the oceans;
7. Advances and trends and challenges in biological oceanography. Ocean fertilization. Biological oceanography in the molecular era. Bluegrowth. Conservation and biological monitoring within EU demands – WFD & MSFD.
The course is taught in theorical classes complemented with more interactive and practical classes including field work and computer and lab sessions. In these classes routine sampling and data acquisition, treatment techniques and oceanographic instrumentation would be demonstrated, and students will be introduced to many of the marine life forms discussed during lectures. Evaluation would integrate scientific reports on practical classes where students should be able to demonstrate the ability to relate conceptual knowledge by critically explain and discuss the observed phenomena. This practical work is planned to stimulate scientific curiosity and reasoning and develop universal group work skills. Working sheets will also be given to the students during practical classes to promote self-learning and conceptual consolidation through practical exercises.
Evaluation would be made through i) a written test to evaluate scientific knowledge and ii) written working sheets and reports.
Ingmanson, D. E. & W. J. Wallace, 1989. Oceanography. An introduction. pp: 87- 121. Waldsworth Publ. Company, Belmont.
Lalli, CM & TR Parsons 1997 Biological Oceanography, An Introduction, (Second Edition), Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann Publishing
Miller, CB 2004. Biological Oceanography, Wiley Blackwell Publishing
Pipkin, B., D. Gorsline & R. Casey 2001 Laboratory exercises in Oceanography W.H.Freeman 270pp
Trujillo, A. & H. Thurman, 2005. Essentials of Oceanography. 8th edition. 532p. Pearson Prentice Hall.
01062425
6