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Course Outline
Note: Coral Reef Ecosystems is now combined with Tropical Marine Invertebrates.
Coral Reef Ecosystems is
an intensive course that focuses on the ecological structure of
coral reefs. Based on Heron Island Research Station, located on
one of the most pristine parts of the Great Barrier Reef, students
will spend the first part of the course being introduced to the
diversity of organisms and ecological linkages on coral reefs.
The second part of the course is spent working
with internationally recognised researchers, who will supervise
students in their research projects. In the past, students have
undertaken research on coral bleaching, photobiology, fish ecology,
population genetics, functional ecology (grazers, predators), coral
reproduction and pigment biochemistry.
This is the ideal course for undergraduates
or graduate students who are beginning to work on coral reefs.
Course Objectives
The course develops a series of themes which
include:
- Tropical marine
biodiversity
- Primary production on coral reefs
- Food webs and energy flow
- Symbiotic associations (from endosymbioses
to commensalism)
- Reef connectivity and population genetics
- Oceanography and coral reefs
- Role of fishes in reef environments
- Coral reefs tetrapods
The course will also allow you to develop a
wider understanding of current threats to coral reefs, such as:
- Land use issues such as eutrophication,
herbicides and elevated turbidity
- Overfishing including dynamiting and use
of cyanide
- Coral bleaching and global change
Course Experience
This course is field-based and is structured
around hands-on experiences. Students will receive lectures in the
morning and evening at the Heron Island Research Station but will
spend the majority of their time with instructors in the field.
Students will snorkel on the Heron Reefs and
learn about the form and function of the corals. During the individual
research phase of the course, students will be introduced to research
techniques that they can use to explore their topic of interest.
This is an exciting phase in which students’ interests can
be expanded and developed.
Collaboration
Professor
Ove Hoegh-Guldberg is a leading authority on climate change
and coral reefs. He chairs a worldwide network of research into
the climate driven impacts on coral reefs (www.gefcoral.org) and
is a member of the Australian Climate Group and the Royal Society
Working Group on Ocean Acidification.
Dr
Sophie Dove is an international expert on the biochemistry of
corals and holds several patents on compounds extracted from corals.
Dr
Selina Ward is a specialist in invertebrate zoology, coral reproduction
and recruitment. Together, the lecturers for this course bring a
vibrant set of research and conservation expertise.
Course Assessment
Course assessment consists of a short answer
exam, major project report and presentation.
Assessment Criteria
Course Pre-requisite
Students entering this course are expected
to have completed one first year biology course at university level. |
Coral Reef Ecosystems
