BS351-6-AU: COASTAL ECOLOGY
Year: 2013/14
Department: Biological Sciences (School of)
Essex credit: 15
ECTS credit: 7.5
Available to Study Abroad / Exchange Students: Yes
| Module is taught during the following terms |
| Autumn |  | Spring |  | Summer | |
Module Description
The module is intended to introduce the student to the diversity of coastal environments, and to the major habitats and processes that make these environments important and unique. Coastal environments are under considerable pressure for a number of reasons (human encroachment, sea level rise, eutrophication, etc), and the importances and implications of these pressures will be discussed. The impacts of changes on estuarine and coastal ecology will be examined, in terms of nutrient loads and pollution effects, environmental legislation, and consequences for conservation.
Learning Outcomes:
To pass this module students will need to be able to:
1. describe the different types of coastal zone features, and the processes which influence them;
2. discuss historical and projected trends of change in the coastal zone, and the reasons for them;
3. discuss the factors regulating coastal zone biogeochemical processes;
4. discuss UK coastal benthic species assemblages, their composition, distribution and environmental factors influencing them;
5. discuss the legislation intended to control the coastal zone;
6. demonstrate an understanding of the importance of the coastal zone to conservation;
7. demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate and interpret data sets and other sources of information.
Learning & Teaching Methods
Lectures: 18 x 1hr including a total of 2 hr data analysis and interpretation.
Classes: 2 x 1hr
Student managed learning: 130 hrs/module
Total: 150 hrs
Assessment
100 per cent Exam Mark
Other details:
Summer Exam: wks 33-36
Exam Duration and Period
3:00 hour exam during Summer Examination period.
Other information
Coursework deadlines advised in module handbooks.
Exam assessment: 3 hour paper in Summer Term.
Bibliography
- Recommended
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Alongi, DM (1998). Coastal Ecosystem Processes. CPR Press, Boca Raton, Fla.
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Little, C (2000). The Biology of Soft Shores and Esturaies. Oxford University Press.
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McLusky, DS, Elliot, M (2004). The estuarine ecosystem: ecology, threats and management. 3rd Edition , Oxford University Press.
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Mann, KH (2000) Ecology of Coastal Waters. 2nd Edition, Wiley-Backwell.
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Masselink, G, Hughes, MG (2003) An Introduction to Coastal Processes and Geomorphology. Hodder Arnold Publication.
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Ray, GC, Ray, JM (2003) Coastal-Marine Conservation: Science and Policy. Wiley-Backwell.
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Advances in Ecological Research, Vol. 29, 1999, special volume on estuaries.
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Also key journals such as Marine Ecology Progress Series, Limnology & Oceanography, Estuarine Coastal & Shelf Science.
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Additional General Reading
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Long, SP, Mason, CF (1983) Saltmarsh Ecology. Blackie, Glasgow.
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Packham JR, Willis, AJ (1997) Ecology of dunes, salt marsh and shingle. Chapman & Hall.
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Pomeroy, LR, Wiegert, RG eds. (1981) The ecology of a salt marsh. Springer, New York.
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Ranwell, DS (1972) Ecology of Salt Marshes and Sand Dunes. Chapman & Hall, London.
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Sherwood, BR, Gardiner, BG, HarrisT (2000) British Saltmarshes. Linnean Society, Forest Text, Tresaith.
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