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Coral Reef Ecology: Functional Ecology of Coral Reefs - BIOS Summer Course
Monday, August 03, 2020, 8:00 AM to Friday, August 21, 2020, 5:00 PM EDT
Category: Course

Location (Field Station):
Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS)

Course Description:
The overall aim of this course is to study how environment impacts reef benthic communities and the fundamental processes of photosynthesis and calcification. Production of organic and inorganic carbon underpins growth and maintenance of the reef ecosystem. These processes are strongly influenced by environmental parameters including water chemistry, hydrodynamics, light availability/capture, and temperature, as well as the taxonomic composition of the community itself. Reef geomorphological and ecological zonation demonstrates that benthic communities have adapted to (and influence) their prevailing environmental conditions. At the same time, conditions are never static, and communities must acclimate to short- and long-term changes in their environment. A vitally important question is how global change will impact this baseline of reef function. These complex and dynamic interactions between reef communities and their ever-changing environments comprise the topics covered by this course.This is an intensive course, aimed at upper-level undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdocs. Course logistics include readings, lectures, discussions/presentations, and extensive laboratory and field work. Next to gaining a solid understanding of coral reef ecology and reef functional processes, students gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art instrumentation and techniques for collecting and analyzing reef community and environmental data: building underwater photomosaics, measuring current profiles, characterizing the underwater light field, determining nutrient concentrations, and quantifying rates of primary production and calcification.Prerequisites include satisfactory standing in university-level biology and ecology and/or marine science. Although not a strict requirement, the ability to work comfortably underwater while SCUBA diving is highly advantageous for field work. Similarly, some experience with scientific programming is beneficial for data analysis although not mandatory. Course fee: $4,900 (tuition, room and board). Students can apply to BIOS for scholarships to assist with the course fee.Instructors: Dr. Eric Hochberg (BIOS) and Dr. Yvonne Sawall (BIOS)

Web Address of Course Info:
http://www.bios.edu/education/summer-courses/


Contact: University Programs, [email protected]