SPECIFIC COMPETENCES:

1. To know the peculiarities of marine environments and organisms, and those of main biotic and abiotic processes they are involved in

2. To identify the main habitats and communities of the littoral, the pelagic system, the marine bottom and peculiar environments (estuaries, polar and abyssal zones)

3. To understand the function of main marine pelagic and benthic ecosystems and the interactions between them

4. To be aware of the services of marine ecosystems, mainly in that concern to living resources and its management

5. To identify and assess main environmental problems in marine systems, as well as the causes and the measurements to prevent, correct or minimize them

6. To achieve personal and technical skills to carry out environmental measurements, organisms sampling and data treatment in marine research



TRANSVERSAL COMPETENCES:

1. To be able to obtain relevant information, interpret it and draw valid conclusions from data sets

2. To be able to transmit ideas, orally and in writing, in a clear and convincing way by using scientific and technical language specific of the marine ecology

3. To be efficient in problem solving to individual level and in-group working.

4. To develop critical capacity and capacity for knowledge dissemination

THEORETICAL PROGRAMME



Part I. General aspects

1. Marine Ecology development

Competencies. Study of the marine environment: phases. Institutes and organizations. Field and laboratory infrastructures. Methods of measurement and detection: recent advances.

2. Marine environment

The marine space. Zonation of marine environments. Environmental patterns: main physicochemical factors. Circulation. The marine bottom.

3. Organisms and communities

Classification of marine biota by habitats. Plankton, nekton, benthos and demersal fauna: composition and study methods. Birds and mammals. Global biodiversity. Marine biogeography.

4. Processes

Primary production: limiting factors. Global patterns. Microbial decomposition. Key microorganisms. Secondary production. Secondary production drivers. Measuring primary and secondary production.



Part II. Systems

5. Rocky and sandy shores

Littoral features: environmental gradients. Rocky communities: zonation and trophic structure. Communities living in littoral sediments: organization and function. Interaction with pelagic communities.

6. Saltmarshes, mangrove forests and seagrass meadows

Introduction. Global distribution. Saltmarshes, mangrove forests and seagrass meadows: communities, zonation and trophic webs. Bioregions and diversity.

7. Estuaries

Classification and types. Habitats and communities: zonation. Patterns of diversity. Productivity: determining factors. Matter fluxes. Other brackish-water systems.

8. Continental shelf seabed

Environmental features. Characterization of communities. Functional roles of the biota. Trophic webs. Specific habitats.

9. Coral reefs

Features and relevance. Distribution and development. Antiquity and diversity. Corals and coral communities. Productivity and trophic pathways. Reef growth and bioerosion.

10. Pelagic ecosystems

Environmental features. Classification. Spatial and temporal variability. Planktonic succession. Regime shifts. Trophic transfers. Primary production-fisheries relationships.

11. The deep sea

Environmental features. Food supply. The organisms of the deep sea. Hydrothermal vents-islands in the deep sea.

12. Polar regions

Artic vs Antartic features. Life in the ice. Sea-ice edges. Bentho-pelagic coupling. Endemism and gigantism in polar environments. Polar birds and mammals.



Part III. Human actions

13. Exploitation of resources

Types. Fishery: species. Fishing methods: detrimental effects. Fish stock assessment. The management process. Aquaculture: species, cultivation systems and impact. The role of biotechnology.

14. Environmental impact

Ecological role of disturbance. Marine pollution: types and effects. Climate change. Interaction of multiple factors. Impact assessment.

15. Conservation and restoration

Services of marine ecosystems. Economics of conservation. Conservation policy and legislation. Conservation actions. Restoration of marine habitats.



PRACTICAL PROGRAMME



I. Field practicals

1. Description of intertidal habitats and sampling of benthos from littoral sediments

Inspection of physical and biological features of intertidal habitats at low water. Identification of environmental heterogeneity and stratified sampling of benthic communities

2. Identification of habitats and communities and human impact assessment in coastal systems

Tour of a coastal system to identify and record the different habitats, communities and human activities, and to assess conservation status and impact.



II. Laboratory practicals

1. Taxonomic analysis of phytoplankton samples

Inspection under the microscope. Identification by using guides

2. Taxonomic analysis of zooplankton samples

Sample splitting. Inspection under the stereomicroscope. Identification by using guides and individual count in Bogorov plates

3. Taxonomic analysis of benthos samples from intertidal sediments

Inspection under the stereomicroscope. Identification by using guides



III. Computer practicals

1. Analysis of between-variable relationships in marine and estuarine environments

Plot graphs and relate statistically the vertical variations of abiotic and biotic variables in the water column measured in different environments and seasons

Teaching methods include:



• Master classes:

The aim is to transmit the theoretical contents of the course by mean of oral presentations of the lessons based on audiovisual materials, and interact with the students by making questions and promoting discussion



• Seminars:

They are devoted to train students in (1) preparing topics of current interest in marine ecology, (2) presenting them to the audience and (3) replying questions on the topic

• Field practicals:

Their specific aims are that students (1) develop observational skills to identify habitats and communities, (2) perform stratified sampling activities and (3) gain capacity to identify human activities and assess the impact.



• Laboratory practicals:

Their specific aims are that students (1) achieve skills in the use of samples and set of instruments to analyse different-type marine organisms that requires microscopy, (2) become familiar with the use of taxonomic guides to identify plankton and benthos and (3) be able to recognize visually the main components of the phytoplankton, the zooplankton and the infauna of sediments of the coastal systems of the Basque country.



• Computer practicals:

In computer sessions the students are expected to (1) gain experience in graph performance and data treatment by using computer tools and (2) be able to get results suitable for exploration and interpretation to draw valid conclusions.

Evaluation system:



1. Continuous evaluation

At the end of the four-month period, on a given date, students will be called to perform a written exam that comprises a multiple-choice test, short questions and diagrams to interpret. This exam means 70% of the final mark. In addition, students should present a written report on the practical works (25% of the final mark) and make an oral presentation on a given topic (5% of the final mark).

Practials’ mark is added to the exam mark only when the last one has been passed, that is, a mark of 5 out of 10 was obtained.

To pass the practicals it is compulsory to attend practical sessions and to hand in the practicals’ report before the date of the final theoretical exam.

Practicals may be failed as a result of no-justified lack of attendance to any of the scheduled activities in field, laboratory, computer or seminar, or due to fail of the practicals’ report (less than 5 out of 10). In such a case the student is allowed to present a new practical’ report at the time of the extra session.

The correctness and accuracy of the answers, and the consistency of the proposals will be valued. In the case of the practicals’ report, the accommodation to scientific standards will be also valued.

To renounce the continuous evaluation and choose the final evaluation, students should present the written resignation to the teacher responsible for the subject within 9 weeks after the course started.



2. Final evaluation

The students who opted for the final evaluation should make a written exam about the theoretical and practical contents of the programme. They will respond to multiple-choice test questions, short questions, diagrams to interpret and practical exercises. The theoretical part is the 70% of the final mark, and the practical part the 30%.

The practical part is considered for the final mark only when the theoretical part has been passed, that is, a mark of 5 out of 10 was obtained.



3. Rules to follow carrying out evaluation tests

During the exam is forbidden the use of books or notes, as well as the use of telephones, computers or any other type of electronic equipment, by the students. In the presence of any case of dishonest or fraudulent practice, the protocol about academic ethics and prevention of dishonest and fraudulent practices in evaluation probes and academic works in the UPV/EHU will be implemented.



4. Renounce to the call

The lack of attendance to the exam is taken as renounce both for the continuous and the final evaluation



5. The evaluation method included in this guide may be modified according to the guidelines and advice of the health authorities. All modifications would be announced in due course, and will be based on strategies and tools that can guarantee the students’ rights to be evaluated fairly.

Practical guides and every material given to the students by the teacher to be used during the course.

Basic bibliography

Baretta-Bekker, H. J. G., Duursma, E. K. & Kuipers, B. R. 1998. Encyclopedia of Marine Sciences. Springer.

Castro, P & Huber, M. 2012. Marine Biology. McGraw-Hill.

Kaiser et al., 2011. Marine Ecology: processes, systems and impacts. Oxford University Press.

Lalli, C.M. & Parsons, T.R. 2000. Biological oceanography: an introduction. Butterworth- Heinemann.

Levinton, J.S. 2009. Marine biology. Function, biodiversity, ecology. Oxford University Press.

Nybakken, J.W. & Bertness, M.D. 2005. Marine biology: an ecological approach. Benjamin Cummings.

In-depth bibliography

Borja, A. & Collins M. 2004. Oceanography and Marine Environment of the Basque Country. Elsevier.
Carter, R.W.G. 1988. Coastal Environments. An Introduction to the Physical, Ecologcal and Cultural Systems of Coastlines. Academic Press.
Longhurst, A. 1998. Ecological Geography of the Sea. Academic Press.
McLusky, D. S. & Elliott, M. 2006. The Estuarine Ecosystem. Ecology, Threats and Management. Oxford University Press.
Stenseth, N. Ch., Ottersen, G., Hurrell, J. W. & Belgrano, A. 2004. Marine Ecosystems and Climate Variations. Oxford University Press.
Trujillo, A. P. & Thurman, H. V. 2014. Essentials of Oceanography. Prentice Hall.
Rallo, A. & Orive, E. 2004. El litoral marino de Bizkaia. Bizkaiko itsasaldea. Instituto de Estudios Territoriales. Diputación Foral de Bizkaia.

Journals

Botanica Marina
Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology
Journal of Marine Pollution
Journal of Marine Systems
Journal of Plankton Research
Journal of Sea Research
Limnology and Oceanography
Marine Ecology Progress Series