Námskeiðslýsing

This is an introductory course in ecology with special emphasis on the marine and coastal environment. While emphasizing ecosystem pattern and processes, this course introduces ecological principles of both population and community ecology and strives to relate ecological knowledge to the broader context of the many global environmental challenges we face today. Lectures cover i) basic concepts: Diversity of life and evolutionary origin. Distribution and dispersal, principles of population growth and species interactions. Primary production, decomposition and nutrient cycling in ecosystems, their trophic dynamics and food webs. Relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem stability and ecosystem functioning, disturbance and succession of communities; ii) human induced impacts on coastal and marine ecosystems, including fisheries and aquaculture, pollution and climate change as well as introduction to ecosystem conservation. Discussion sessions and writing assignments serve to deepen understanding of selected theoretical and practical concepts, approaches or applications as well as to train students in reading and writing scientific papers.

 

In Student Seminars, marine and coastal ecosystems will be examined in more detail. Main threats of the systems will be defined and management guidelines and recommendations established with the aid of recent literature.

Hæfniviðmið

1. Knowledge and understanding
a. The student understands the role of ecology in environment and natural resources studies and management and its importance for decision-making.
b. The student understands the basic ecological principles of population, community and ecosystem ecology as well as the main patterns and processes of the marine ecosystems.
c. The student knows and understands the consequences of the major human induced impacts on marine ecosystems.
2. Practical ability and skills
a. The student will gain practice in reading and writing sections of scientific papers.
b. The student will be able to link human impacts on marine ecosystems to potential management actions.
3. Theoretical ability
a. The student has knowledge and understanding of the most important theories, and concepts in ecology, especially as it relates to the marine environment.
4. Communication skills and information literacy
a. The student can read most scientific papers in ecology and critically review and discuss basic ecological subjects in an oral and a written form.

Námsmat

• Two writing assignments (20%)
• Three discussion sessions (20%)
• Student seminars (20%)
• Final exam (35%)
• Class participation (5%)

Kennari

Guðmundur Ingi Guðbrandsson.

Gestafyrirlesari

Ítarefni