Marine Biodiversity

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.

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

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 .