This unit provides a foundation of knowledge on the functioning of marine ecosystems and the adaptations of the biota to their physical environment. The unit will introduce the conceptual basis for ecosystem ecology and then consider the characteristics of key coastal ecosystems (rocky, sandy and muddy shores, mangroves, saltmarshes, estuaries), continental shelves, oceanic, deep sea and polar ecosystems, and tropical coral reefs, Links between marine ecosystems will also be examined. -- Course Website
Instructor: G Quinn
Prerequisites: SLE144 or SLE132
