Special Topic on Dynamics of Marine Ecosystem

Course ID: M3701D4C

Credits: 3

Objective: Changes in marine ecosystems are closely related to natural events and human activities. The aims of this class are to discuss the composition of marine ecosystems and to understand the mechanisms and processes that drive ecosystem changes over both short and long-term temporal and spatial scales. Human perturbations in relation to these changes will be emphasized, and some thoughts on the management and protection of the marine ecosystem will also be shared and discussed.

Course Prerequisites: None

Outline:

CLASS SCHEDULE 

A. Marine ecosystem and man: an introduction (Lecture 1) 

B. Primary production in marine environments (Lectures 2-4) 

C. Consumers in Marine Environment (Lectures 5-9) 

D. Trophic dynamics of marine communities (Lectures 10-12) 

E. Effects of fishing and other activities on fish stocks and/or marine fish ecosystems (Lectures 13-14) 

F. Long-term and large scale change in Marine Ecosystem (Lectures 15-17)

Teaching Method:  Oral, powerpoint presentations and discussions

Reference:  

1.Marine ecological processes. (1995). Valiela, I. (editor) Springer. 2nd edition. 685 pp. 

2.海洋生態學 邵廣昭 著 國立編譯館 (1999 修訂版). 476 pp. 

3.Elements of marine ecology. (1981). Tait, R.V. (editor). Butterworths. 3rd edition. 

4.Marine ecology. (1982). Levinton, J.S. (editor). Prentice-Hall, INC. 526 pp. 

5.Fundamentals of Aquatic Ecology. (1991). Barnes, R.S.K. and Mann, K.H. (editors). 2nd edition. Blackwell Scientific Publications.270 pp. 

6.Dynamics of Marine Ecosystems. (1991). Mann, K.H. and J.R.N. Lazier (editors). Blackwell Scientific Publications. 466 pp. 

7.Selected papers.

Course Schedule (subject to change): see class schedule in Outline

Evaluation: 

mid-term: 50% 

final: 50%