Coral Reef Ecology: Functional Ecology of Coral Reefs – Summer Course

<div>CORAL REEF ECOLOGY: FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY OF CORAL REEFS (July 17 – August 4)Instructor: Dr. Eric Hochberg (BIOS) The overall aim of this Coral Reef Ecology (CRE) course is to study how environment impacts reef benthic communities and the fundamental processes of reef metabolism. Production of organic and inorganic carbon underpins growth and maintenance of the reef ecosystem. These processes are strongly influenced by environmental parameters including water chemistry, hydrodynamics, light availability/capture, and temperature, as well as the taxonomic composition of the community itself. Reef geomorphological and ecological zonation demonstrates that benthic communities have adapted to (and influence) their prevailing environmental conditions. At the same time, conditions are never static, and communities must acclimate to short- and long-term changes in their environment. A vitally important question is how global change will impact this baseline of reef function. This course provides fundamental background in reef functional ecology, as well as training in the measurement and interpretation of reef processes and environmental parameters.This is an intensive course – a semester of material condensed into three weeks. Course logistics include readings, lectures, discussions, presentations, and extensive laboratory and field work. Next to gaining a solid understanding of coral reef ecology and reef functional processes, students gain hands-on experience with state-of-the-art instrumentation and techniques for collecting and analyzing reef community and environmental data, including building underwater photomosaics, measuring current profiles, characterizing the underwater light field, characterizing water quality, and quantifying rates of primary production and respiration using traditional and advanced approaches. The course syllabus and further information can be found here: http://www.bios.edu/education/summer-courses Prerequisites: University-level biology and ecology; marine science and oceanography desirable. The course will require boat work and the ability to work comfortably in the water with a mask and snorkel. Those who are SCUBA certified* (minimum at the PADI Open Water Diver level, or internationally recognized equivalent) will be able to undertake fieldwork underwater and learn scientific diving skills.* To be permitted to dive at BIOS, students must complete, and return to the Dive Safety Officer, various forms and meet certain medical safety standards, which will require physical examination from a health practitioner. The student dive information package (SDIP), including all such forms and supplemental information, will be provided after notification of acceptance on this course.Students of all nationalities are eligible to apply for partial scholarships towards course fees which include 3-weeks tuition, campus accommodation and meals (we do not award scholarships towards travel expenses, visas or medical/travel insurance). Successful applicants are advised to arrange for independent study credit through their home institutions. Full course details, syllabus, prerequisites and application information are available here: http://www.bios.edu/education/summer-coursesApplication deadline is April 30, 2023 Questions? Please contact us at education@bios.edu</div>
<strong>Contact: </strong>education@bios.edu