Descripcion del curso
The course “Introduction to Marine Ecosystems” gives a detailed insight on
oceanographic and biologic characteristics of different marine ecosystems in the world.
From the poles to the equator we follow the mayor marine currents and learn about
ecological interactions of different species and ecological dynamics of the oceans at
different seasons and latitudes, local climate variations and long term climate changes.
Finally we focus on the Eastern Tropical Pacific with its biodiversity and seasonal
changes under the influence of different marine currents, such as the cold Humboldt
Current, the warm Panama and the nutrient rich Cromwell at the Galápagos and along
the continental coast of Ecuador.
At GAIAS on the Galapagos Islands, students will have the opportunity to visit the
unique ecosystem of oceanic Islands and different communities such as rocky shores
sand beaches and mangroves in the intertidal zone or rocky and sand bottom
communities in the subtidal zone. In this course classroom theory will be directly
applied in the field and students will learn about a variety of marine communities in
different ecosystems.
Evaluación
3 exams
30%
Research project: Each student chooses a subject to study and presents a paper on the
end of the course
25%:
Field reports
Participation
Presentation
20%
10%
15%
Contenido
1. Introduction to basic oceanography
2. Marine ecosystems and marine ecology
3. Plankton communitites and primary production
4. Intertidal zone – subtidal zone
5. Neritic zone, pelagic seas
6. Deep sea and seamounts.
7. Tropical seas
8. Coral reefs
9. Mangrove forests and estuaries
10. Subtropical seas
11. Polar seas and temperate waters
Calendario
Note: Dates for excursions may vary according to environmental conditions.
October 12th - Introduction to oceanography - Field: relative fish abundance Playa Man
October 13th - Marine ecosystems and marine ecology, Plankton communities and
primary production - Field: Plankton sampling
October 14th -Intertidal ecosystems – Field: Intertidal biodiversity gradient Carola
beach
October - Neritic zone, pelagic seas
October 16th -Exam 1
October 19th Pelagic communities (sharks, turtles, marine mammals) - Tijeretas
subtidal communities
October 20th Scuba excursion wreck bay 1 (all day) – Research projects
October 22nd Neritic, deep sea and seamount ecosystems - Research projects
October 23rd Exam 2
October 26th Tropical seas, coral reefs - scuba excursion wreck dive: artificial reefs
October 27th all day scuba excursion León Dormido (shark census and vertical walls)
October 28th Mangroves and estuaries- Research projects
October 29th Polar seas and temperate waters - Research projects
October 30th Final exam and Research projects presentation
Texto
COMPENDIO DE NOTAS
Bibliografía
J. Nybakken. 2001. Marine Biology; an ecological approach (5th edition). Benjamin
Cummings Press. (Available in the GAIAS Library)
U. Seeliger and B. Kjerfve (Eds.). Coastal Marine Ecosystems of South America.
Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, New York.
ISBN3-540-67228-1.
Políticas del curso
The research projects are personal developments of different research subjects
concerning marine environments and/ or species of the Galápagos. The research is
carried out personally.
This course aims to encourage ideas for research and personal research development
using the information obtained in the course and other sources.
Materiales
Snorkling gear (mask, snorkel, flippers), wet suit (water temperature can be below
23ºC), (if possible underwater) camera, personal items such as sun protection, hat, sun
glasses....
Política sobre Deshonestidad Académica
USFQ politics on academic dishonesty will be applied in this course.
Horas de Oficina
GAIAS Monday to Friday from 9AM to 4PM