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Ocean to Estuarine Ecosystems (Advanced) - BIOS3681
 Marine science student

   
   
   
 
Campus: Kensington Campus
 
 
Career: Undergraduate
 
 
Units of Credit: 6
 
 
EFTSL: 0.12500 (more info)
 
 
Indicative Contact Hours per Week: 6
 
 
Enrolment Requirements:
 
 
None
 
 
Excluded: BIOS3081
 
 
CSS Contribution Charge:Band 5 (more info)
 
   
 
Further Information: See Class Timetable
 
  

Description

Oceans occupy 75% of the planet’s surface and have the capacity to moderate our climate and supply our food, water and oxygen. The East Australian Current also has a substantial (and unappreciated) effect on our lives. EECO outlines the dominant players and processes in pelagic marine ecosystems, from fine-scale ocean physics, to nutrients, phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish and sharks. We will study estuarine ecosystems, including the effects of catchments and nutrients on hydrography and estuarine habitats. The systematics and ecology of fish in particular, but also sharks and rays will be a feature of the course. The 4 day field trip to Smiths Lake replaces many of the labs later in session. Other topics may include human impacts and possible solutions through engineering of pelagic ecosystems such as bottom-up ecosystem regulation through nutrient supply, or top-down regulation of ecosystems by sharks and other predators; removal of mid-level planktivores, re-stocking of fish; ocean fertilization; carbon sequestration; and artificial reefs.

Assumed knowledge: BIOS2031 and BEES2041

Note: Available to students in Advanced Science- Life Sciences and, subject to the availability of places, to students in BEnvironSci (Biology and Marine) and in 3970 (Biological Science, Ecology, and Biological Oceanography Majors with a credit average or better in BIOS courses). A compulsory field trip will be held during the mid-session break, and will involve personal expense to individual students.

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© The University of New South Wales (CRICOS Provider No.: 00098G), 2004-2011. The information contained in this Handbook is indicative only. While every effort is made to keep this information up-to-date, the University reserves the right to discontinue or vary arrangements, programs and courses at any time without notice and at its discretion. While the University will try to avoid or minimise any inconvenience, changes may also be made to programs, courses and staff after enrolment. The University may also set limits on the number of students in a course.