Course - Marine Biodiversity - BI2036
Marine Biodiversity
About
About the course
Course content
Marine biodiversity at different organizational levels (from genes to ecosystems).
Overall differences in marine biodiversity in polar (examples from Arctic and Antarctica), temperate (mid-Norway) and tropical (eg. Australia) ecosystems.
How key-environmental variables (eg. light regime, temperature, salinity and nutrients) affect marine biodiversity in relation to climate induced processes.
The importance of endosymbionts and kleptoplasty in species development.
Relate bio-diversity at different levels to organisms at sea-surface, water column (nekton and plankton) and sea-floor (benthos).
Biodiversity and age of ecosystems (time important development factor).
Mass extinctions/explosions and human influence on biodiversity.
Learning outcome
Knowledge:
- Important definitions in marine biodiversity (from genes, organelles, species, groups, habitats, ecosystems).
- Biodiversity versus key environmental variables.
- Impact of endosymbionts, kleptoplasty, environment stability and time in species development.
- Sampling of plankton and larvae, fish and benthos using different techniques and equipment (vessel, nets, grab, corer, trawl, dredge, SCUBA and ROV)
- Impact of climate variation, fisheries and aquaculture on marine bio-diversity.
- Learn to sample organisms from sea surface, water column and seafloor using different platforms (boat, SCUBA diving and Remotely Operated Vehicle- ROV) using different types of sampling gear.
- Learn practical skills related oceanographic cruises on a research vessel.
Skills:
- Understanding of the relationship between organisms and their environment in Nature
- Understanding why endosymbionts, time, humans and environmental variables affect extinction and development of new species
- Understanding how to sample species and groups of interest for further studies (field course)
- Understanding differences in species biodiversity in "hot spots and deserts" in polar, temperate and tropical environment
- Understand the major biodiversity taxa and their importance in the Ecosystem
- Ability to communicate with colleagues in adjacent disciplines
Learning methods and activities
The course is taught intensively over four weeks in September-October
Presentation material are given in English and lectures in Norwegian if all students understand Norwegian. If not, lectures are given in English.
In adition to traditional lectures, the students are divided indo groups during a 5-day field cruise with RV Gunnerus (mandatory), of which each group is given a theme (inside the curriculum) upon which they shall give an oral presentation with slides, of maximum 25 minutes.
Admission to this course is restricted Students with admission to Bachelor in Biology or Teacher Education program (MLREAL), major in Marine Biology and Aquaculture, are given priority .
Further on evaluation
The course consists of two evaluation parts, where each part is graded. The overall grade in the course is given if both assessments are passed. One part consists of a written exam that counts for 70% of the total grade, the other part consists of assignments (lab report and group presentations) that counts for 30% of the total grade.
In the event of improvement (repetition) of the written examination, it will be possible to take the examination at the next semester, regardless of teaching schedule of the course. When improving the assignments (lab report and group presentations), this is done by following the teaching and submission of assignments during the next teaching semester.
If you do not pass the written exam, you have the opportunity to take a postponed exam at the next semester, regardless of teaching schedule of the course. If you do not pass the assignments, you must take part in teaching and complete the assignments again next teaching semester.
The written exam can be changed to an oral exam in the semester when the course is not taught.
Due to the nature of the assignments the grade for this evaluation part cannot be appealed. The written exam can be appealed within three weeks after the grade is given
Specific conditions
Limited admission to classes. For more information: https://i.ntnu.no/wiki/-/wiki/English/Admission+to+courses+with+restricted+admission
Recommended previous knowledge
Topics in taxonomy/systematics, eco-physiology, evolution theory. BI1002
Course materials
Curriculum: All lectures, papers and own Powerpoint-presentations (group work) will be placed on BlackBoard. In addition the text book for BI2036 is
Norse EA and Crowder LM (2005). Marine Conservation Biology - The Science of Maintaining the Sea's Biodiversity. Island Press. Isbn:1-55963- 662-9
Subject areas
- Aqua Culture
- Biology
- Marine Biology
- Ecology
Contact information
Course coordinator
Lecturers
Department with academic responsibility
Examination
Examination
School exam
The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.