Overview

The module takes as an over-arching theme the concepts of ecosystem functioning and ecosystem services. It commences with 5 introductory lectures that illustrate the factors that underpin ecosystem functioning, as well as factors that can cause ecosystems to change. The key corner-stones that underpin ecosystem processes are detailed. A particular focus is made on exploring the role of biodiversity in maintaining ecosystem functions and services. Drivers of ecosystem change and resistance to change are considered in the contexts of ecosystem resilience, system vulnerability and ecosystem regime-shifts. The role of biodiversity in maintaining resilience in marine systems is examined in depth. Factors that determine secondary production of systems are considered, with particular focus on fisheries, marine vertebrates, zooplankton and marine benthos.

The practical shapes of ecosystem functioning, services, resilience and vulnerability are then illustrated by a series of lectures that consider the biology, ecology and conservational status of key ecosystems in detail. Systems for which particular focus is made are: estuaries, mangroves, coral reefs, coastal shelf seas, seabirds, pelagic systems and the open ocean.

The module also has emphasis on reviewing the influences of some of the most important current drivers of change in marine ecosystems (‘Global Impacts’). Here, dedicated lectures examine the effects of invasive species, climate change, benthic exploration and fisheries disturbance on the functioning of marine ecosystems.

The course includes a marked course-work component. The practical component focuses on examining how guilds of coral reef fishes interact with coral reef structure and reef bleaching. This component has particular emphasis on how functional diversity of coral reefs affect the traits of reef fishes. In the first practical session, students are asked to process an existing dataset, using R Statistics. I the second session, students progress to analyse the data and present it graphically. Students then, individually, produce a poster for assessment, from where two continuous-assessment marks arise; one poster mark arises from presenting the poster in a poster conference; the other mark is allocated to the quality of the poster itself (content, structure, design, appearance).

The module takes as an over-arching theme the concepts of ecosystem functioning and ecosystem services. It commences with 5 introductory lectures that illustrate the factors that underpin ecosystem functioning, as well as factors that can cause ecosystems to change. The key corner-stones that underpin ecosystem processes are detailed. A particular focus is made on exploring the role of biodiversity in maintaining ecosystem functions and services. Drivers of ecosystem change and resistance to change are considered in the contexts of ecosystem resilience, system vulnerability and ecosystem regime-shifts. The role of biodiversity in maintaining resilience in marine systems is examined. Factors that determine secondary production of systems are considered, with particular focus on fisheries, marie vertebrates, zooplankton and marine benthos.

The practical shapes of ecosystem functioning, services, resilience and vulnerability are then illustrated by a series of lectures that consider the biology, ecology and conservational status of key ecosystems in detail. Systems for which particular focus is made are: estuaries, mangroves, coral reefs, coastal shelf seas, seabirds, pelagic systems and the open ocean.

The module also has emphasis on reviewing the influences of some of the most important current drivers of change in marine ecosystems (‘Global Impacts’). Six dedicated lectures examine the effects of invasive species, climate change, benthic exploration and fisheries disturbance on the functioning of marine ecosystems.

The course includes a marked course-work component. The practical component focuses on examining how guilds of coral reef fishes interact with coral reef structure. This component has particular emphasis on how functional diversity of coral reefs affect the traits of reef fishes. In the first practical session, students are asked to process an existing dataset, using R Statistics. I the second session, students progress to analyse the data and present it graphically. Students then, individually, produce a poster for assessment, from where two continuous-assessment marks arise; one poster mark arises from presenting the poster in a poster conference; the other mark is allocated to the quality of the poster itself (content, structure, design, appearance).

Assessment Strategy

Threshold - (Grade D-) Knowledge based on the directly taught programme, basic ability to integrate lines of evidence from a range of sources to support findings and hypotheses, basic understanding of subject specific theories, concepts and principles, basic ability to consider issues from a range of multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary perspectives.

Good - (B grade) Knowledge based on the directly taught programme with some evidence of enquiry beyond that perhaps derived from internet resources, good ability to integrate lines of evidence from a range of sources to support findings and hypotheses, good understanding of subject specific theories, concepts and principles, good ability to consider issues from a range of multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary perspectives.

Excellent - (A grade) Knowledge extending beyond the directly taught programme with evidence of enquiry beyond that contained in lectures, and beyond that derived from internet resources; excellent ability to integrate lines of evidence from a range of sources to support findings and hypotheses, excellent understanding of subject specific theories, concepts and principles, good ability to consider issues from a range of multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary perspectives. Consistent and frequent referencing to relevant literature.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to integrate systems ecology with systems processes

• Students will demonstrate a good knowledge of the key environmental and biological drivers that affect marine processes and ecosystem functioninng, and the relevant temporal and spatial scale at which these operate

• Students will demonstrate a good knowledge of the specific processes that relate to each of key marine systems addressed in the course

• Students will demonstrate an in-depth understanding of how biodiversity contributes to the resilience and regime shifts of marine systems, and appreciate the importance of functional diversity on ecosystem functioning.

• Students will have the ability to make and present a conference poster that conveys, simply and clearly, the results of a piece of research

• Students will have the ability to process, analyse and present a large dataset.