Draft syllabus
Biology and Ecology of Coral Reefs
Instructors: Ann Tarrant, Jesús Pineda, and Simon Thorrold
(atarrant@whoi.edu; Redfield 212, x3398; jpineda@whoi.edu; MRF 211, x2274; sthorrold@whoi.edu;
MRF 223, x3366)
Meeting: MRF conference room, Tuesdays 10:30-Noon
Course website: TBA
Summary: Coral reefs are highly productive and diverse ecosystems that are threatened by factors
ranging from local point-source pollution to overfishing and global climate change. This course will
introduce key aspects of both the biology of reef-building corals and the ecology of tropical coral reefs.
Classes will include both physiological and ecological components. The goals are to examine the
adaptations of corals to reef environments, the natural and environmental processes that affect coral
physiology and reef structure and function.
Grading and expectations: Students are expected to attend all classes, to read and be prepared to
discuss assigned readings. Class will typically begin with an introductory lecture to provide a foundation
and context for the discussion. A student will then be selected (typically randomly but ensuring
everyone gets a chance) to lead the discussion. The discussion leader will summarize the paper, pose
questions and otherwise lead discussion. Discussion and participation will comprise 50% of the grade.
The other half will be based on two written assignments (25% each). The first will be a critical evaluation
of one of the assigned readings in the context of related literature. Students will sign up for one of three
week’s topics. The second will be a short proposal in the format of a WHOI Institute proposal. Additional
details will follow.
Missed classes: Due to the importance of discussion, it is not fully possible to make up a class and
students should attend whenever possible. Classes missed due to illness or u
navoidable conflicts can be made up in one of two ways: (1) the student may read the assigned material
and prepare a short (1-2 page) summary and discussion of the material or (2) if the instructor is
available, the student may arrange to separately discuss the paper and related material.
Provisional Schedule:
Sept. 9
Tarrant Introduction
Species diversity hypotheses at local and regional scales
Hughes TP, Bellwood DR, Connolly SR. 2002. Biodiversity hotspots, centres of
endemicity and the conservation of coral reefs. Ecology Letters 5:775-784)
Johnson, KG, Jackson JBC, Budd AF. 2008. Caribbean reef development was independent
of coral diversity over 28 million years. Science 319(5869): 1521-3.
Sept. 16
Tarrant
Sign up for Assignment #1 topics/weeks.
Nutrient uptake, eutrophication, and coral-macroalgal interactions
Burkepile, DE, Hay, ME. 2006. Herbivore vs. nutrient contol of marine primary
producers: context-dependent effects. Ecology 87(12): 3128-39.
Sept. 23
Tarrant (Neal Cantin)
Physiology of coral-algal symbiosis
Stat M, Morris E, and Gates RD. 2008. Functional diversity in coral-dinoflagellate
symbiosis. PNAS 105(27): 9256-61.
Sept. 30
Tarrant
Ecology of Coral Bleaching
Rodrigues L and Grottoli AG. 2007. Energy reserves and metabolism as indicators of
coral recovery from bleaching. Limnol. Oceanogr. 52(5): 1874-82.)
Oct. 7
Pineda
Oceanography: reefs circulation and physical/chemical water properties
Oct. 14
Pineda
Larval dispersal and transport
Oct. 21
Tarrant
Coral reproduction and hormone-like signaling in corals
Oct. 28
Tarrant
Chemical communication and settlement cues
Nov. 4
Tarrant (Assignment 2 topic due, 1 paragraph)
Coral calcification (individual and reef scale) and potential effects of ocean acidification
November 11 – No class, Veteran’s Day.
Nov. 18
Tarrant TBA*
Nov. 25
Thorrold (Assignment 2 due)
Coral reef fish ecology
Dec. 2
Thorrold
Marine protected areas and conservation of coral reef
Dec. 9
Tarrant TBA*
To be selected, in part based on class interest. Potential topics include, zonation, disturbance and
recovery, herbivory, and bioerosion.