Description

The course provides an integrated view of marine and coastal ecosystems with a focus on arctic environments. Students will gain a thorough understanding of ecological theory and methodology, including the function, dynamics, structure and development of ecosystems, and will be able to relate their knowledge to applied issues, for example in conservation and management. Key concepts such as population, community, ecosystem, biodiversity, landscape, habitat and genetic considerations will be introduced and discussed in order to understand ecological processes. Methods from resource and environmental management for solving selected problems in marine and coastal areas will be introduced.

Learning outcomes

• Develop a strong interdisciplinary understanding of the theory and applications of marine and coastal ecology
• Provide structured training in research techniques and practical skills, including field work and ecological survey techniques, assessment of biological variability, relevant statistics and computed programs, experimental design, project planning, and scientific writing
• Provide a foundation for further PhD research, or for prospective employment with marine environmental protection and conservation agencies, overseas development agencies, national and local government, the water industry, the fisheries sector, environmental consultancies, elements of the tourist industry and national and international non-governmental organisations
  

Assessment

Research project, including fieldwork, data analysis and paper presentation (group exercise - 50%). Class presentation: in-depth analysis of a current topic in ecology (30%). Writing a research proposal (group exercise - 20%).

Instructor

Guðbjörg Ásta Ólafsdóttir has been the director of the University of Iceland's Research Centre of the Westfjords since fall 2007. She received her BSc in Biology from the University of Iceland in 2000 and a PhD in Zoology from the University of St. Andrews, Scotland in 2005. Both her PhD and postdoctoral work have focused primarily on understanding the formation and maintenance of biodiversity, using fish as a model species.

Her current research involves both theoretical issues and more applied questions concerning variation in natural populations, both in marine and freshwater environments. Her projects commonly combine multiple biological approaches, population ecology, molecular ecology, behaviour ecology and modelling.

Guest lecturer

Guðmundur Smári Gunnarsson
Halldór Pálmar Halldórsson

Further reading