MM00CD24 Stress 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
Understanding ecosystem responses to global ocean change and predicting future ecosystem shifts requires the development of a robust understanding of the biological responses to the multitude of environmental local, regional, and global climate change drivers. Participants will acquire a profound knowledge of the concepts of stress ecology, and associated research methodologies. The main focus of this course will be on the marine environment, while theory and historical examples might originate from terrestrial ecology or limnology. This course will integrate related disciplines such as Physiology, Molecular Biology/Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Ecology.
In addition to common lectures, the course will invite specialist researchers to present their studies in the field and their specific views on stress ecology. Students will also evaluate scientific papers addressing specific topics in stress ecology.
Specific content:
- Basic physiological responses of macrophytes, fish and marine invertebrates to environmental stress
- Concepts of reaction norms (e.g., thermal performance curves)
- Detailed insights into specific drivers (stressors) such as ocean warming, ocean acidification (decreased pH), hypoxia (lowered oxygen availability), changes in salinity caused by altered freshwater inputs, eutrophication, and species to ecosystem responses to these drivers
- The interplay of multiple divers and their additive, synergistic or antagonistic effects on species to community responses
- The role of variability of divers or climatic extremes for species to ecosystem responses (periodic variability to extreme events)
- Physiological to behavioural strategies of stress avoidance and mechanisms of acclimation and adaptation to steady environmental stress and pulse-stress
Learning outcomes
After passing the course, the participants are expected to:
- List and explain the main abiotic drivers (stressors) in marine systems and how these vary and co-vary across spatial and temporal scales
- Integrate related disciplines such as Physiology, Molecular Biology/Ecology, Evolutionary Biology and Ecology into a stress ecology context
- Explain basic species responses to environmental stress and their underlying physiological concepts (e.g., Q10, reaction norms, thermal niche, Jensen’s Inequality)
- Link species to community responses to ecosystem-level impacts
- Understand the interplay of multiple local, regional and global drivers, and design appropriate and relevant multi-driver experiments, including an understanding of covariance and environmental fluctuations
- Name and describe strategies of stress avoidance and mechanisms of acclimation and adaptation to environmental stress
- Critically interpret and present scientific experimental research papers with a focus on climate change stress ecology
- Relate stress ecology to potential mitigation strategies and stakeholder involvement
Transferrable skills
- General transferable skills that can be acquired in the course are, besides the theoretical and practical knowledge gained from the studies: Analytical and systematic thinking skills, Information retrieval skills, Problem-solving skills, Organizational and coordination skills, Public speaking skills, Acting in a multicultural environment, Communication in English, The ability to learn and adopt new things, Creativity, Stress tolerance, Critical and ethical thinking
- Working life skills are practiced through teaching and examination forms such as group work, presentations, peer feedback, panel debates, problem-based learning, and project work
- In addition, we will apply digital learning tools such as Zoom meetings, shared files, Miro
This course connects to the following UN Sustainable Development goals (SDGs) 13 (Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts), 14 (Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development), and 15 (Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss), as well as the SDG 4 (Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all)
Additional information
Taught in English in spring 2026 and fall 2028 (January to March)
Description of prerequisites
A Bachelor degree