Phytoplankton Ecology and Research Methods

Course ID: M34014R1

Credits: 3

Objective: 

Phytoplankton are the major primary producers in the ocean, which serve as the foundation of marine food chain. In this course, the students will have an overall understanding of marine phytoplankton ecology. Also, they will learn the basic concepts of the common methods in phytoplankton research. In addition, the students will be trained with scientific thinking and presentation skills during the course.

Course Prerequisites: None 

Outline:

Section 1 

•The physiological characteristics, biogeography and ecological functions of the major cyanobacteria and eukaryotic phytoplankton groups in the ocean.

 Section 2 

•Major physical, chemical and biological factors that control the phytoplankton growth and succession. 

•Responses of the phytoplankton to environmental changes. 

Section 3 

•Major global change stressors and their impacts on the phytoplankton. 

•Adaptation and resilience of the phytoplankton to the global change stressors. 

•Phytoplankton blooms and the environmental consequences. 

•Contribution of phytoplankton to marine biogeochemical cycling and carbon sequestration. 

Section 4 

•Basic concepts about the common approaches in field surveys and physiological studies of phytoplankton. 

•Applications of modern molecular, remote sensing and big-data analytical approaches in phytoplankton research.

Teaching Method:  

Lectures and literature reading

Reference:  

1.Pal, R. & Choudhury, A. K. (2014) An introduction to phytoplanktons: diversity and ecology. Berlin: Springer. 

2.Munn, C. B. (2019) Marine microbiology: ecology & applications. CRC Press. 

3.Relevant papers