MB3300:03
Coral Reef Ecosystems
| Townsville (One Tree Island and Heron Island Research Stations) | HECS Band 2 |
80 contact hours. July block mode.
Available to students in the Marine Science Tropical Marine Network Program run jointly by James Cook University, the University of Queensland and the University of Sydney.
Staff: Professor M Kingsford, Professor O Hoegh-Guldberg (University of Queensland).
This subject is a two-week intensive subject that will be held at tropical research stations on the Great Barrier Reef (Heron Island and One Tree Island Research Stations). The subject focuses on the dominant taxa in reef environments and linkages between them. Emphasis is given to corals, other reef associated invertebrates (eg echinoderms and plankton) and fishes. Ecological and physiological aspects of key organisms are explored. Aspects covered include distribution of corals, coral bleaching, coral symbionts and the health of corals based on photosynthetic activity, predation on corals, the input of plankton to reefs and the role of fishes in reef environments.
Learning Objectives:
- gain an understanding of reef biodiversity;
- increase an understanding of reef habitats and the pelagic environment;
- develop research skills with equipment in the field and laboratory as well as evaluating and presenting published information on tropical fisheries.
Assessment by field station based exercises and a report.