Download Marine Ecology(rev)Dr. Ricketts

University of Belize
Natural Resources Management Program
NRMP 105 Introduction to Marine Ecology/
MRST 201 Marine Ecology
Semester 1
August to December 2006
Meeting time: 1:15-2:45 pm Tues/Thu
Location: JAB-U4
Instructor: Leandra Cho-Ricketts, Ph. D.
Phone: 822-3680, ext 233
E-mail: [email protected]
Office: NRMP Office, Hummingbird Bld.
Office hours:
Tues 3:00-5:00pm;
Mon/Wed 1:30-3:00pm
DEPARTMENTAL INFORMATION
Department/ Program:
Faculty of Science and Technology/ Natural Resources Management Program
Course Title:
NRMP 105 Introduction to Marine Ecology
Required for Degree:
(X) yes ( ) no ( ) elective
Credit hours:
3
Transfer Status:
Repeatability Status:
Repeatable
Repeatability Limit:
2 times
Prerequisites:
(X) yes ( ) no ENG 111 College English I
Corequisites:
( ) yes (X) no ________________________
Advisories:
(X) yes ( ) no Must have good writing skills
SECTION I
Subject Area and Course Number:
NRMP 105
Course Title:
Introduction to Marine Ecology
Course Description:
Structure, function and dynamics of marine ecosystems, from coastal zones to deep oceans, are described. The biological components
of marine ecosystems, including neuston, plankton, nekton and benthic organisms, are emphasized and the roles played by these
organisms within global ecosystems and Belize in particular examined.
Detailed Course Description:
Marine Ecology is a systems ecology course that surveys the rich and complex composition, structure, functions and dynamics of
Earth’s saltwater ecosystems from brackish lagoons and mangal forests to deep ocean benthic communities. We begin a sixteen-week
survey of marine ecosystems with the vast open epipelagic zone that covers 70% of the Earth’s surface. The surface film of the
oceans functions as a membrane for the exchange of water vapor, particulates and energy, between the water and the atmosphere
having a great effect on global climatic patterns. Marine epipelagic zones are the source for 80% of the Earth’s photosynthesis, most
of which is produced by nanophytoplankton. The vast marine plankton resources form the major trophic base of Earth’s largest food
webs. Besides feeding on plankton, an incredible diversity of deep ocean organisms depend on a continual rain of organic particles,
formed mainly by the epipelagic plankton and nekton communities, each particle becoming coated with microbial communities that
enrich their food value.
The course shall cover those highly productive habitats within the coastal zones of the world. We shall probe into the ecology of coral
reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves and estuaries. We shall briefly compare polar, temperate and tropical oceans and coastal zones,
noting similarities and differences. We shall also take a close look at symbiotic relationships within the marine ecosystems and the
important roles these associations have played in the evolution of life in the sea. Finally we shall critically examine the human impact
on marine ecosystems, particularly within Belize, and discuss possible solutions to these environmental concerns that we as a society,
perpetuate.
The goal of this course is to equip students with a general understanding and appreciation of the ecological patterns of our global and
local marine ecosystems and the environmental issues affecting these ecosystems. It is expected that you will gain both a theoretical
and practical background to this wide ranging field and that you come away with a deeper understanding of the role of marine systems
to biodiversity and the importance of marine conservation.
Course Objectives/ Student Benefits
Objectives
Diagram the ecological zones of the marine
ecosystem complex.
Compare the composition, structure, function and
dynamics of marine and terrestrial ecosystems and
the global roles of each.
Describe the composition and ecology of marine
plankton.
Describe the significance of nanophytoplankton in
global energetics systems.
Collect and observe plankton community samples
from Belizean waters.
Examine the oceanic nekton communities and their
ecological roles
Discuss the microbial loop, the importance of
marine snow and other organic particles in marine
systems
Describe deep ocean pelagic and benthic
communities, tracing the energetics components.
Compare the ecology of polar, temperate and
tropical oceans.
Compare the ecology of estuaries, mangal forests,
seagrass beds and coral reefs
Appreciate
the
importance
of
symbiotic
relationships in the marine environment
Examine global, regional and local environmental
concerns and conservation issues affecting marine
ecosystems.
Benefits
You shall be introduced to the present day understanding of marine systems and
familiar with their descriptive terminologies.
A global scale perspective of Earth’s two main ecosystem complexes and the
main ecological differences between them will help you better appreciate the
importance and interconnectivity of each.
You shall have an understanding of the importance of plankton in the marine
realm and become familiar with the organisms found in plankton from Belizean
waters.
Understanding the productivity of marine systems and the many different micro
organisms that are responsible for feeding most of Earth’s herbivores helps to
better understand the complex trophic systems of marine systems.
Hands on experience with collecting and identifying plankton is an important
skill in many marine ecology professions.
Nekton is an important ecological component of marine systems and provides
much protein for human populations. Understanding their roles is important in
helping to conserve these organisms.
You shall develop a greater understanding of the importance of bacteria in
sequestering and recycling organic carbon from ocean waters.
Roles of deep sea fauna in cycling of global nutrients is an important aspect of
ocean ecology.
A global perspective of oceanic energetics is important in appreciating the
differences, similarities and interconnectivity of all Earth’s ocean regions.
You shall gain an appreciation of the importance of each of these marine
systems in the nutrient cycling process and as consumers and producers of
energy.
You shall be aware of the intricate and complex associations among many
different co-evolved organisms within the marine realm.
Having a global, regional and local understanding of human impacts prepares
you with a better understand of the interconnectedness of these impacts where
Belize stands compared with the world in general and the Caribbean in
particular.
SECTION II
Course Content and Scope
Outline of Topics
The following topics are included within the framework of the course but are not intended as limits to content. The order of topic
presentation is subject to change relative to situations and opportunities encountered during the semester. We will also be involved in
a few field trips. The schedule will be modified to accommodate such opportunities.
Week 1
Topic 1- Introduction to the marine environment
 Course introduction, discussion of syllabus
 Field practical planning
 General marine ecology concepts
 Comparison of terrestrial and marine ecosystems
Week 2
Topic 2-Oceanography
 Classification of marine environment from coastal zone
to deep ocean
 Properties of seawater and basic oceanography
 Physical oceanography
 Marine larvae and larval ecology
Week 3-4
Topic 3- Marine Plankton and Plankton Communities
 Definitions and classification of marine plankton


 meroplankton
 holoplankton
 bacterioplankton
 phytoplankton
 zooplankton
Plankton and oceanic interconnections
 Trophic ecology of marine plankton
 Distribution and abundance of marine plankton
 ocean neuston
 primary productivity
 daily migration patterns of plankton
 deep scattering layers and meroplankton
Lab- Examination of plankton samples
Week 5
Topic 4- Interstitial Ecology
 defining the interstitial systems
 environmental characteristics of interstitial systems
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Composition of interstitial systems
collection and examination of meiofauna
adaptations
Meiofauna-macrofauna interactions
Species richness, distribution and dispersal
Week 6
Topic 5-Intertidal and Shallow Subtidal Ecology
Water Communities
 Environmental characteristics of intertidal communities
 Adaptations of intertidal organisms
 Rocky shores
 Sandy shores
 Muddy shores
 Types of shallow subtidal communities
 epifauna
 infauna
 bioturbation vs stabilization
TEST 1
Week 7
Topic 6-Mangroves
 Description and characteristics
 structure and adaptation
 environmental factors
 distribution
 zonation
 ecology of mangroves
 succession and mortality
Week 8
Topic 7- Seagrass beds
 Classification and characteristics
 Structure and composition
 Distribution
 Environmental conditions
 Productivity
 Nutrients and sedimentation
 Associated organisms
 Succession and mortality
Week 9
Topic 8- Coral Reef Ecology
 Description and types of coral reefs
 Distribution of coral reefs
 Environmental factors
 reef morphology and zonation
 coral reef communities
 coral reefs of Belize
 Indo Pacific vs Atlantic reefs
 diel patterns of reef systems
 producers and consumers in reef systems
 symbiotic associations on coral reefs
 competition and predation
 reef bacteria
 interconnectivity: mangroves/seagrasses/coral
reefs
Week 10
Topic 9-Continental/Marine Connectivity
 Influence of terrestrial ecosystems on marine
ecosystems
 Estuaries and marshes
 Environmental characteristics of estuaries
 Salinity gradients
 Sedimentation patterns
 Nutrients
 Energetics
 Types of estuaries
 Biota of estuaries
 Adaptation of estuarine organisms
 Ecology of estuaries
TEST 2
Week 11
Topic 10- Deep Sea Ecology
 Environmental characteristics and zonation
 Adaptations of deep-sea organisms
 vertical migration
 bioluminescence
 mesopelagic ecology
 bathypelagic ecology
 deep sea benthic ecology
 deep oceans as detritus/microbial based
systems
 ocean oozes
Week 12
Topic 11- Symbiosis
 symbiotic relationships in marine systems
 phylogenetic range of symbiotic associations
 ecological significance of symbiotic
associations
Week 13
Topic 12- Oceanic Nekton
 description of the oceanic epipelagic
environment
 taxonomy of oceanic nekton
 environmental conditions
 adaptation of nekton to the oceanic epipelagic
environment
 ecology of oceanic nekton-feeding ecology
and ecological significance
Week 14
Topic 13-Human impact on the marine
environment

Fisheries

Mariculture

Pollution

Coastal development and Tourism

Marine diseases

Bioprospecting

Global warming and climate change
TEST 3
Week 15-16

Presentation of project reports
FINAL EXAM
Text and Reference Materials:
There is a good text that accompanies this course and you will need to access a copy: J. W. Nybakken. 1993. Marine Biology:
An Ecological Approach, 3rd edition, Harper Collins College Publishers. Reading assignments may also be taken from other key
marine ecology texts, journal articles, internet sites and specific marine management documents for Belize. You are expected to
take notes in class, as you will be responsible for this information on exams. Internet links and reference materials will be placed
in a folder located in the NRM office as the need arises and it is the responsibility of the student, not the instructor, to access this
material. It is strongly recommended that students signing up for this course commit to:
 reading all handout materials and take good notes in class as tests will be drawn from these sources
 attending at least one consultation meeting with the instructor during the early part of the semester to discuss
concerns, assignments, expectations, project development and other relevant matters
 submitting all assignments on time
 using your best writing skills
Methods of Evaluation
Quizzes
15%
Tests
30%
Field practical
5%
Field report
20%
1 presentation
10%
Final exam
20%
This course involves instructor and pier grading. The instructor will be responsible for grading quizzes, project reports, field
practicals and presentations. Your classmates will be grading you on presentations, using a standard form.
Class participation
Students are expected to attend all classes and participate in class and field trip activities in the following manner:
I read and referred to the syllabus
I arrived to class on time
I contributed to class discussions
I turned in assignments and tests on time
I answered questions in class
I attended class and all field activities
I was prepared for class (read ahead of time)
I sought consultation with the instructor
I asked questions in class
I did my neatest work (spelling, writing and grammar)
Quizzes
Several pop quizzes will be given throughout the course of the semester. These will not be announced and will total 15% of your
grade. Students are advised to keep abreast of material in order to perform well on these quizzes.
Tests
Three tests are scheduled for this course. Tests are based on reading material and your notes. No make-up test will be given under
any circumstances. Tests may have fill-in-the-blank, true/false, matching and diagram labeling sections. Test dates will be identified
during the course.
Groups
The class will be divided into teams of 3-4 persons. Field exercises and field reports will be done with the same team.
Field project
A project is an activity focused on gathering data and/or other kinds of information, examine that information and present an
organized analysis in a short, concise, well-written standard report format and in a Power-Point or similar presentation format. The
idea is that you the student use this opportunity to collect and analyze field data on a specific topic and ultimately make others (your
classmates, instructors and anyone else) aware of what you learn. Choose from the field project list provided for the course. A copy
of each project report will be kept in an open file for public access- so write a paper you will want others to read!
Project reports should be relatively short (maximum of ten pages), double spaced, 10 to 12 font size and in Times New Roman or
similar font with references, including websites, journal title, newspaper, text or any other form of publication. The format and details
of report are given in the Project Paper Outline and the field practical outline. Check the NRM Office for copies. Project reports must
be typed and submitted on time and will be evaluated based on content and presentation. Always use your own words unless those
words are contained in quotation marks. Plagiarism, such as downloading text from the web and claiming it as your own words, is not
tolerated and your grade will be seriously jeopardized or the paper rejected. Always give REFERENCES for any work used, quoted
or unquoted. REPORTS ARE DUE AT THE END OF YOUR PRESENTATION.
Class presentation
Project presentations will be given somewhere during the 15th to 16th week of the semester. Specific dates will be provided by the
instructor. Students will be required to sign up for individual time slots. Presentations should be conducted using power point or use
overhead projections, posters or similar visual aids as may be useful. Please dress professionally. Presentations should be relatively
short, about 10-15 minutes. During the presentation, you will want to state what you did, how you did it and what the most important
results of your efforts were. Practice delivery, speak clearly and give a professional sounding presentation. These will be classgraded by each student using a standard project grading form.
Methods of Instruction:
Various methods of instruction will be used throughout the course. Conventional lectures and class discussions will provide a primary
mode of information transfer during the course. Hands-on demonstration in the field and laboratory shall be conducted in small
groups. Field activities shall include demonstrations, lectures and discoveries as small groups. We will be collecting data and
recording observations that will be analyzed and discussed in class or lab settings. You are expected to attend lectures and participate
in class discussions, planning sessions, etc. We will have one major field lab session during which time we shall be viewing preserved
specimens of plankton and other marine organisms, identifying various marine organisms and conducting field surveys. This field lab
session will be held at the UB Calabash Caye Marine Research Station. The field exercises are necessary components of the course
and attendance is mandatory. Health and safety concerns will over ride all other issues on field trips and each participant is expected
to abide by the policies of the university. Expenses shall have to be born by the students.
Required Supplies and Additional Expenses
You will need a notebook for taking notes in class and the field. You will also need at least one computer disk and access to a
computer and the Internet. A complete list of equipment and materials shall be given prior to departure. Students will need to
contribute funds towards the field trip to Calabash Caye.
Attendance
Students are required to attend a minimum of 80% of the course. Attendance of field trips is mandatory. A sign-in sheet will be
circulated during meetings. Eight absences constitute an automatic drop of one letter grade. Two late arrivals to class count as one
absence. You are responsible for all information presented on the day of your absence and any work assigned. Handouts must be
picked up from the instructor during regular office hours or before or after class. Those who attend 100% of the classes and field trips
shall receive an additional 2 points on their overall score.
Classroom Policies
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Students must attend all classes and field sessions and be on time. Failure to do so will affect their grades negatively.
Shut down all cellular phones during class, tests, exams and presentations. Failure to do so will result in loss of 5 points from your
grade for each class offense and even disqualification from exam.
You are expected to speak and write Standard English in the classroom. Assignments that have consistent punctuation and
grammatical errors will have points deducted.
No cellular phones, calculators, pagers, PDAs are allowed during exams. These should be left with the lecturer and collected at
the end of the exam.
Dress appropriately for all classes especially labs and field sessions.
No eating or drinking during class or lab sessions. For each offense 5 points will be deducted.
Zero tolerance for Academic Dishonesty. Students will be severely penalized for any type of cheating or plagiarism.
Consultation
As a faculty member of UB, the instructor shall be available for consultation concerning materials covered in this course or other
related business during posted consultation hours, when the instructor may be found in office. Arrangements can also be made to
consult with the instructor during non-posted hours if necessary. Consultation can also be conducted by way of phone and e-mail, if
this is appropriate.
Course Evaluations
During this course, you shall be asked to evaluate the course content, delivery, instructor’s performance and other aspects. This is not
just a privilege- it is a responsibility. Such feedback from students helps the instructor to make adjustments where required as the
course evolves. Your input (comments, suggestions, criticisms, insights, collections, maps, charts reports and other project
deliverables) shall help make this a better course in its aim to more effectively meet the needs of the students, university and nation.
Take time to fill out evaluations completely- not just checking off boxes, but also writing down your comments.
Revised and Modified: August 2005