Principal goals for the course
1. To introduce students to the existing knowledge, hypotheses, and disputes regarding the components of kelp forest communities and the ecological interactions that influence their structure and dynamics
2. To familiarize students with critical reading of primary published literature in marine ecology
3. To give students an opportunity to work underwater
4. To provide students with experience in doing ecological research of their own, including: formulating questions, collecting and analyzing ecological data, writing reports based on such data, and giving and receiving critical feedback
Prerequisites for the course
1. Biology 20A, 20B, and 20C or equivalent (1 yr Introductory Biology)
2. UCSC Research Diving SCUBA Certification (Waiver of this requirement can only be given by Steve Clabeusch, UCSC’s Acting Diving Safety Officer)
Recommended Courses
Instructional Staff
Instructional Staff Instructors
Teaching Assistants
Schedule
Class Meetings:| DATE | TOPIC | |
| Week 1 | Mon, Sept 29 |
Organizational Meeting--Briefing on diving at HMLR Lecture: Overview of kelp forests, including physical and chemical characteristics and geographic distributions, qualitative sampling techniques |
| Wed, Oct 1 |
Lecture: Algal diversity and structure of kelp forests; physical influences and biotic interactions Readings: Graham et al. (1997), Ebeling et al. (1985), and Steneck et al. (2002) |
|
| Week 2 | Mon, Oct 6 |
Lecture: Sessile/cryptic inverts; predatory inverts, prey defenses, larval biology and juvenile recruitment of kelp forest organisms Introduce upcoming dive Readings: Dean et al. (1984), and Reed and Foster (1984) |
| Wed, Oct 8 | Field: Qualitative overview of the HMLR kelp forest | |
| Week 3 | Mon, Oct 13 |
Lecture: Kelp forest fishes Review past and introduce upcoming dive; First field report due Readings: Harvell (1992), and Watanabe (1984) |
| Wed, Oct 15 | Field: Quantitative sampling of kelps, grazers, and motile inverts - Pt. Lobos or at Hopkins | |
| Week 4 | Mon, Oct 20 |
Lecture: community ecology, mammals and birds, conservation, management Review past and introduce upcoming dive; Second field report due Readings: Hallacher and Roberts (1985), and Carr (1991) |
| Wed, Oct 22 | Field: Comparative sampling methods--random vs. uniform quadrats and point contact at Hopkins | |
| Week 5 | Mon, Oct 27 |
Lecture: community ecology, mammals and birds, conservation, management Review past and introduce upcoming dive; Third field report due Readings: Steneck and Carelton (2002), and Dayton et al. (1998) |
| Wed, Oct 29 | Field: Quantitative sampling of kelp forest fishes - MBAquarium -Pt. Lobos / Hopkins | |
| Sat, Nov 1 | Field Trip: Afternoon dive (Pinnacles) and Night dive. Depart from Long Marine Lab at 1 PM | |
| Week 6 | Mon, Nov 3 |
Discussion / Project planning; Fourth field report due Readings: McGowan et al. (1998) and Holbrook et al. (1997) |
| Wed, Nov 5 |
Field: Quantitative sampling of sessile organisms using random point contact - Terrace Point or Monterey shale beds |
|
| Week 7 | Mon, Nov 10 | MIDTERM / PRACTICAL |
| Wed, Nov 12 | Field: Individual research projects | |
| Week 8 | Mon, Nov 17 | Field: Individual research projects |
| Wed, Nov 19 | Field: Individual research projects | |
| Week 9 | Mon, Nov 24 | Field: Individual research projects |
| Wed, Nov 26 | Field: Individual research projects | |
| Week 10 | Mon, Dec 1 | Field: Individual research projects |
| Wed, Dec 3 | Field: Individual research projects | |
| FINALS | Tues, Dec 9 | 4-7 PM: Individual research presentations. Research papers due by 4 PM. |
Ellectronic pdf's for papers are found in the reading schedule.
Lecture notes will occassionally be posted online.
Criteria for grades and evaluations
The lecture (161) and field (161L) portions of this course are thoroughly integrated. Consequently you will receive a single written evaluation or grade for both sections. This will be based on the following approximate breakdown of activities in the class:
Written field reports 30 %
Mid-term examination 25 %
Participation in reading discussion 10 %
Independent project planning and execution 15 %
Independent project oral & written report 20 %
Required Identification Guides
and
Assigned Readings
Assigned readings for the course have been made from a list of selected readings. Two papers will be assigned each week for the first half of the course. One to three students will serve as discussion leaders for each paper, so that each student should expect to co-lead the discussion of one or two papers. These papers appear in the syllabus (above) and are highlighted in bold on the selected readings list. All students are expected to read all the papers, before class, so that they may contribute to the discussion. The weekly reading schedule for the course can be found on the syllabus.