The course gives a broad introduction in marine ecology with a focus on Norwegian and Nordic conditions. Important issues are eco-clines and marine biogeography; chemical-physical factors and the abiotic environment; biodiversity; phytoplankton, pigments and storage components; toxic microalga; photosynthesis; growth rate and respiration of microalgae; limiting and controlling factors of algal growth; heterotrophic plankton; grouping of plankton; functional plankton groups; feed uptake, metabolism and energetics; decomposition chain; trophic level, -transfers, and -efficiency; population dynamics in planktonic communities; global marine production; aquaculture and fisheries; carbon pump and climate, disturbing impacts on marine ecosystems, principles for conservation of marine ecosystems.
Prerequisites
Basic education in biology from universities or comparable.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge:
The candidate will have knowledge about:
- General definitions and concepts of marine ecology and biodiversity
- Geographic patterns of organisms and the abiotic marine environment
- Plankton and nekton organisms of marine ecosystems, with a focus on functional groups
- Photosynthesis of autotrophic plankton
- Decomposition of organic material and food web dynamics
- Various sources of impacts on marine ecosystems
- Goals and methods for conservation of marine ecosystems
Skills:
The candidate may describe:
- The principle definitions and concepts of marine ecology
- The important abiotic factors that drive organisms of marine ecosystems
- The main groups of marine organisms and their interactions
- The main pathways of production and decomposition in the sea
- Typical effects of fisheries, aquaculture and physical disturbancies on marine ecosystems
- Principles and methods for conservation of marine ecosystems
General competence:
The candidate knows and understands:
- The importance of the marine abiotic environment for the richness of species
- The main functions of autotrophic and heterotrophic organisms in the marine ecosystem
- Mechanisms of the fundamental relations and interactions among organisms and among organisms and their abiotic environment
- The principle transport mechanisms of material and energy in the food webs
- Identification/classification/reduction of various types of impacts on marine ecosystems
Files/Documents
ISCED Categories
