BIO-273 Coral Reef Ecology
The purpose of this course will be to provide students with field experiences relative to course work in the area of Science & Technology as presented at Finger Lakes Community College. This excursion will focus on the biology and ecology of Caribbean coral reefs and will emphasize the ecological principles related to this unique ecosystem. The course will include an introduction to the species endemic to this community, and a discussion of the major threats to the ecosystem, both natural and anthropogenic. Included in the course are topics related to survey and data collection techniques, along with hands-on experiences focused on coral reef conservation and restoration. All aspects of the region will be studied, including geology, geography, flora, fauna, culture and ecological initiatives. Students will encounter individuals employed in the fields of ecology, management and habitat preservation, university research, and will have the opportunity to explore this type of employment through interactions with professionals.
Prerequisite
BIO 122 OR BIO 125 AND Permission of Instructor
Course Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate the ability to select and utilize modern methods and techniques for surveying coral reefs
- Demonstrate an understanding of the local, regional, and global issues impacting coral reefs
- Describe the political, economic, and cultural issues associated with coral reef ecosystems
- Demonstrate an understanding of the natural history of the primary flora and fauna associated with coral reef ecosystems
View Course Outline
Department
Science and Technology
Course Description
The purpose of this course will be to provide students with field experiences relative to course work in the area of Science & Technology as presented at Finger Lakes Community College. This excursion will focus on the biology and ecology of Caribbean coral reefs and will emphasize the ecological principles related to this unique ecosystem. The course will include an introduction to the species endemic to this community, and a discussion of the major threats to the ecosystem, both natural and anthropogenic. Included in the course are topics related to survey and data collection techniques, along with hands-on experiences focused on coral reef conservation and restoration. All aspects of the region will be studied, including geology, geography, flora, fauna, culture and ecological initiatives. Students will encounter individuals employed in the fields of ecology, management and habitat preservation, university research, and will have the opportunity to explore this type of employment through interactions with professionals.
Credit Hours
3Semester(s) Course Will Be Offered
Summer
Prerequisites
BIO 122 OR BIO 125 AND Permission of Instructor
First Year Experience Course
No
Course Learning Outcomes
- Demonstrate the ability to select and utilize modern methods and techniques for surveying coral reefs
- Demonstrate an understanding of the local, regional, and global issues impacting coral reefs
- Describe the political, economic, and cultural issues associated with coral reef ecosystems
- Demonstrate an understanding of the natural history of the primary flora and fauna associated with coral reef ecosystems
Topic Outline
- Introduction to Coral Reefs
- Coral reef ecosystem structure
- Reef organisms
- Methods for monitoring Coral Reefs
- Local, regional, and global threats to reefs
- Local threats (pollution, overfishing, sedimentation, tourism)
- Climate change and thermal stress
- Ocean acidification
- Coral Biology
- Life history
- Reproduction
- Taxonomy
- Symbionts
- Diseases and pathologies
- Survey of reef organisms
- Substrates
- Fish
- Invertebrates
- Macroalgae
- Megafauna
- Methods for coral reef monitoring and restoration
- Reef Check Survey methods
- Coral farming and restoration methods
- AGRRA