76272 - Marine Ecosystems: Structures and Processes

Learning outcomes

At the end of the course, the student will have conceptual and practical knowledge of the main marine ecosystems, natural and anthropogenic (such as those created by artificial infrastrutures) and their associated communities (algal canopies, saltmarshes, seagrass beds, biogenic reef and soft-bottom fauna), and the basic methodologies for mapping their biotic and abiotic features. The student will have specialist knowledge on the ecology and functioning of these systems, and how these processes result in important ecosystem services to humans. In particular, the student will be able to: i) describe the status and functioning of the various coastal habitats; ii) describe the profound changes induced by man over the centuries, iii) simulate ecological research, through the acquisition of ecological data in the marine communities

Course contents

The lectures will cover a variety of coastal ecosystems. For each ecosystem we will analyse:

• Main environmental characteristics
• Main communities, their structure and distribution
• Main ecological processes and functioning, with emphasis on experimental work focusing on some particularly well studied processes
• Human-induced changes, threats and conservation needs

The course is structured as follows:

1) Introduction

2) Intertidal rocky bottoms - experiments on the role of competition and predator-prey interactions

3) Subtidal rocky bottoms and canopy forming macroalgae & kelp forests - experiments on the role of disturbance, trophic cascades, and the effects of sedimentation

4) Estuarine environments, saltmarshes - experiments on the role of positive interactions and of the effects of excessive nutrient loads

5) Seagrasses

6) Oyster reefs and other biogenic reefs

7) Soft-bottoms

8) Artificial man-made habitats – focus on the concept of novel ecosystems and the design of sustainable marine infrastructures and nature based solutions

We will elaborate on some concepts through discussion groups of relevant papers.

We will also carry out two field excursions (Coastal lagoon and Harbour of Ravenna)

Readings/Bibliography

Bertness et al (Editors) 2013 Marine Community Ecology and Conservation. Sinauer Associates Inc. 560 pp. ISBN-13 : 978-1605352282

Other recommended text (especially for those who do not have a strong background in marine biology):

• Cerrano C, Ponti M, Silvestri S (2019) Guida alla biologia marina del Mediterraneo. Kemet, Torino. 320 pp. ISBN-13: 978-88-993348-5-7
• Danovaro 2019, Biologia Marina: Biodiveraità e funzionamento degli ecosistemi marini. UTET, Bologna. 486 pp. ISBN: 8860085314
• Kaiser et al. (Editors) 2005. Marine Ecology: Processes, systems and impacts. Oxford University Press

Additional material will be illustrated and provided during the teaching, toghether with copies of the power point presentations

Teaching methods

Frontal teaching

Computer exercises

Discussion groups

Field excursions

In consideration of the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, the attendance of this training activity requires all students to complete the e-learning modules 1 and 2, and to participate to module 3 on specific training on safety and health in the places of study. Information on dates and methods of attendance of module 3 are reported in the specific section of the degree program website.

Assessment methods

For each exam there is a preliminary written test and oral exam. The dates of the exams will be published on the almaesami website. Students can book for the exams exclusively using the methods provided by the online almaesami system.

Teaching tools

The teaching material will be made available on the e-learning platform of UNIBO.

Office hours

See the website of Massimo Ponti