223046.0 Macrophyte Ecology (5 cr)
Cooperation network course
Network: Biodiversity education network
This course is offered through the Network for Biodiversity. These studies are available for the following degree students:
- Bachelor's and Master's Degree Education in Biology
- Bachelor's and Master's Degree Education in Environmental and Aquatic Sciences
- Master's Degree Education in Aquatic Science
- Master's Degree Education in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
- Master's Degree Education in Cell and Molecular Biology
- Master's Degree Education in Environmental Science
Description
Macrophytes constitute keystone species on both rocky shores and in soft sediment systems. As both kelp forests, algal belts and seagrass meadows play critical roles in sustaining coastal biodiversity and supporting commercially important species, it is important to know which factors structure these communities and how they respond to human pressures and global change. By presenting both results from broad scale field surveys as well as results from controlled laboratory and field experiments, we will provide both general and in-depth information about patterns and processes in marine plant ecosystems in coastal waters. A comparative appoach in terms of similarities and differences in system structure and function will constitute the basis for the course outline.
Learning outcomes
1. Give an overview of the structure and function of marine macrophyte communities in time and space and understand central ecological processes and structuring mechanisms and related ecological theory in macrophyte communities.
2. Present orally a specific topic at seminars (work in pairs)
3. Summarise a specific seminar theme into an essay (work in pairs)
GENERAL SKILLS
Discussion and argumentation
Group work
Additional information
This course is given jointly with University of Turku (Prof. Veijo Jormalainen)
Description of prerequisites
BSc in marine biology