BT2240 - Marine Plants in their Environments - 2003

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BT2240:03

Marine Plants in their Environments

Townsville

HECS Band 2

24 hours lectures, 28 hours practicals, 2 half-day field trips. Semester 2.

Staff: Dr K Heimann.

An examination of the enormous diversity of marine plants — from unicellular microscopic organisms to mangrove forests. This subject will explore micro- and macroalgae, reef ecosystems, seagrasses, samphires (salt marshes) and mangroves; and life strategies such as symbioses, epiphytes and the movement of marine plants through their environment. Special emphases will be placed on commercial potential and uses of marine plants, down-stream biological effects of anthropogenic activities on marine plant communities and using field studies to illustrate coursework topics.

Learning Objectives:

1. to appreciate the diversity of marine plants;
2. to understand the interaction of marine plants with the environment;
3. to provide hand-on experience of techniques for sampling and analysing planktonic and benthic organisms;
4. to develop an understanding of the roles of primary producers in marine environments.

Assessment by on-course assessment (50%); written examinations (50%).

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