Course Syllabus
Aims
This course examines different biological and ecological aspects and processes of ocean ecosystems. Topics include the distribution, abundance, life habits and interactions of marine organisms characterizing the main zones and the different systems of the marine environment. The impact of multiple stressors and the problems affecting the marine habitats are also discussed.
Contents
Processes of marine organisms, Marine systems and habitats, Functioning of Marine Ecosystems
Detailed program
Introduction to the course
What is marine biology and why it matters; history of marine biology; the scientific method
Patterns in the marine environment
Biogeography, biodiversity, abundance and size
The marine environment
World oceans; structure of the ocean floor; chemical and physical properties of seawater; ocean circulation; life in a fluid medium; primary and secondary production
Classification and characteristics of the marine environments
General classification of marine environments; benthic life habits; benthic environments: tidelands (rocky shores, soft-substratum shores, marshes, mangroves, estuaries); sea grass beds, seaweed and kelp forests, rocky reefs, coral reefs; continental shelf seabed; deep sea; polar regions; pelagic environments and pelagic life habits
Introduction to impacts
Fisheries and aquaculture; pollution and climate change; conservation
Present and future of marine biology
Main recent lines of research in marine biology
Seminars – to be defined
Prerequisites
None
Teaching form
Lessons (4 credits) + Tutorials (2 credits)
Textbook and teaching resource
PowerPoint slides
Marine Biology: Function, Biodiversity, Ecology (3°edition). Jeffrey S. Levinton, Oxford University Press
Marine Ecology: Processes, Systems, and Impacts (2° edition). Michel J. Kaiser et al., Oxford University Press
Marine Biology (10° edition). Peter Castro & Michael E. Huber, McGrow Hill Higher Education
Semester
First semester
Assessment method
Oral examination
Mark range: 18-30/30
Office hours
By appointment by sending an email to the lecturer (davide.maggioni@unimib.it)
