BS255-5-SP-CO:
Coral Reef Biology
2023/24
Life Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Monday 15 January 2024
Friday 22 March 2024
15
14 February 2024
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BS256, BS258
This module will provide you with knowledge of the biology of coral reef systems, the landscape ecology of tropical coastal marine systems, the importance of and threats to these systems and options for management.
The aim of this module is:
- To introduce you to the biology and ecology of tropical coral reef systems.
By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the biology of tropical reef forming corals.
- Describe the ecological and socio-economic importance of tropical coral reefs.
- Discuss the diversity of coral reef communities over local and regional scales.
- Demonstrate knowledge of coral reef assessment and monitoring techniques.
- Discuss major coral reef conservation and management strategies.
- Demonstrate an ability to physiological assessment of reef building corals and in analysing and interpreting data.
- Show competence in gathering scientific information, particularly from the web, in reading and analysis of simple scientific reviews and data within them, and in communication skill
Coral reefs often dominate shallow inshore waters and are the most diverse of all marine habitats. Tropical reef systems also support the livelihoods of many millions of people. Reef systems are therefore exceptionally important in terms of global biodiversity and food and economic security.
Coral reefs are increasingly over exploited and are also at risk from environmental change. Coral reefs do not exist in isolation and are connected to other tropical biomes. These biomes include sea grass beds and mangrove systems.
Knowledge concerning the nature of this connection is key to understanding the ecological functioning of coral reef systems. Coral reefs are ecologically complex systems and provide the perfect case study to discuss ecological theory and the management of ecological systems.
This module will be delivered via:
- Twenty hours of lectures.
- Two 3-hour practicals.
Practicals: a) Coral Reef Monitoring and Assessment, b) Coral Ecophysiology.
-
Stehli, F.G. and Wells, J.W. (1971) ‘Diversity and Age Patterns in Hermatypic Corals’,
Systematic Zoology, 20(2). Available at:
https://doi.org/10.2307/2412052.
-
Renema, W.
et al. (2008) ‘Hopping Hotspots: Global Shifts in Marine Biodiversity’,
Science, 321(5889), pp. 654–657. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1155674.
-
Veron, J.E.N.
et al. (2009) ‘Delineating the Coral Triangle’,
Galaxea, Journal of Coral Reef Studies, 11(2), pp. 91–100. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.3755/galaxea.11.91.
-
Camp, E.F.
et al. (2018) ‘The Future of Coral Reefs Subject to Rapid Climate Change: Lessons from Natural Extreme Environments’,
Frontiers in Marine Science, 5. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2018.00004.
-
Anna J. Woodhead
et al. (2019) ‘Coral Reef ecosystem services in the Anthropocene’,
Funtional Ecology [Preprint]. Available at:
https://doi-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/10.1111/1365-2435.13331.
-
Sing Wong, A., Vrontos, S. and Taylor, M.L. (2022) ‘An assessment of people living by coral reefs over space and time’,
Global Change Biology, 28(23), pp. 7139–7153. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.1111/gcb.16391.
-
Obura, D.O.
et al. (2019) ‘Coral Reef Monitoring, Reef Assessment Technologies, and Ecosystem-Based Management’,
Frontiers in Marine Science, 6. Available at:
https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2019.00580.
-
Leonard Muscatine, Elsa Cernichiari (1969) ‘Assimilation of Photosynthetic Products of Zooxanthellae by a Reef Coral’,
Biological Bulletin, 137(3), pp. 506–523. Available at:
https://www-jstor-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/stable/1540172?sid=primo.
-
R. Iglesias-Prieto, V. H. Beltrán, T. C. LaJeunesse, H. Reyes-Bonilla, P. E. Thomé (1763) ‘Different Algal Symbionts Explain the Vertical Distribution of Dominant Reef Corals in the Eastern Pacific’,
Proceedings: Biological Sciences, 271(1549), pp. 1757–1763. Available at:
https://www-jstor-org.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/stable/4142890?sid=primo.
-
Sampayo, E. M. (2020) ‘Patch size drives settlement success and spatial distribution of coral larvae under space limitation’,
Coral Reefs, 39(2), pp. 387–396. Available at:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00338-020-01901-1.
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
DAI |
|
40% |
| Coursework |
Prac Worksheet |
|
60% |
| Exam |
Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during Summer (Main Period)
|
| Exam |
Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Open Book (Restricted), 120 minutes during September (Reassessment Period)
|
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Leanne Hepburn, email: l.hepburn@essex.ac.uk.
Prof David Smith, Dr Chris Mackin
School Undergraduate Office, email: bsugoffice (Non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create the full email address)
Yes
No
No
Prof Edgar Turner
University of Cambridge
Professor of Insect Ecology
Available via Moodle
Of 32 hours, 23 (71.9%) hours available to students:
9 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.
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