WETS1046 Aquatic ecosystems (4 cr)
Study level:
Advanced studies
Grading scale:
0-5
Language:
English, Finnish
Responsible organisation:
Department of Biological and Environmental Science
Curriculum periods:
2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020
Description
Content
Structure of aquatic ecosystems and the theory of aquatic foodwebs and their dynamics. Contrasts of marine and freshwater ecosystems. Human and environmental impacts of aquatic ecosystems. Insights into classic and contemporary research, with particular focus on ecosystems and species resilience, recovery ability, fishing applications and the principles of ecosystem-based management. Models and projections for aquatic ecosystems.
Completion methods
Exam, modelling exercises, essay presented in seminar
Assessment details
Exam, modelling exercises, essay presented in seminar.
Learning outcomes
The course provides in-depth knowledge about the structure and types of aquatic ecosystems and their functioning, through the investigation of theory, processes, and models for foodweb dynamics and their interactions with environmental drivers. This theoretical foundation is supplemented with insights into contemporary and applied research of aquatic foodwebs, covering a range of aspects from species invasions and introductions to fishing and climate change. Students will learn basic concepts and quantitative metrics through which ecosystems and their conservational status are characterized and well as mechanisms governing the dynamics of aquatic ecosystems. The course consists of lecture series, calculation exercises, reading research articles, and writing an essay, which will be also presented to the group in a seminar.
Completion methods
Method 1
Select all marked parts
Parts of the completion methods
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Unpublished assessment item