Kelp Forest Ecology
Biology 161-161L
Principal Course Goals
1. Introduce students to the existing knowledge, hypotheses, and disputes regarding the abiotic and biotic processes that determine the structure and dynamics of kelp forest ecosystems
2. Familiarize students with critical reading of primary published literature in kelp forest ecology
3. Introduce students to sampling designs and methods commonly used for ecological research underwater
4. Teach students how to identify the common macroalgae, macroinvertebrates and fishes that inhabit central California kelp forests
5. Teach students how to write scientific papers
6. Provide students with experience in doing ecological research of their own, including: formulating questions, collecting and analyzing ecological data, writing scientific reports, and giving and receiving critical feedback
7. Provide students with experience in verablly presenting their independent research projects
Course Prerequisites
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
Faculty
Teaching Assistants
Schedule
Class Meetings:| DATE | TOPIC | |
| Week 1 | Mon, Sept 28 | Organizational Meeting--Briefing on diving at HMS Lecture: Overview of kelp forests, including physical and chemical characteristics and geographic distributions Lecture: The biology and ecology of temperate subtidal macroalgae. Algal diversity and structure of kelp forests; physical influences and biotic interactions. Identification of macroalgae that inhabit central California kelp forests. |
| Wed, Sept 30 | Lecture: The biology and ecology of kelp forest fishes; the role of larval biology and juvenile recruitment, species interactions and physical factors in determining the structure and dynamics of fish populations and communities. Identification of fishes that inhabit central California kelp forests. Readings: Edwards (2004), Ebeling et al. (1985), and Reed & Foster (1984) |
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| Week 2 | Mon, Oct 5 | Lecture: The biology and ecology of kelp forest invertebrates; the role of larval biology and juvenile recruitment, species interactions and physical factors in determining the structure and dynamics of invertebrate populations and communities. Identification of invertebrtes that inhabit central California kelp forests. Readings: Hallacher and Roberts (1985), Holbrook et al. (1997), and Davenport & Anderson (2007) Introduce upcoming dive: qualitative sampling techniques |
| Wed, Oct 7 | Field: Qualitative overview of the HMLR kelp forest |
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| Week 3 | Mon, Oct 12 | Field: Quantitative sampling of kelps, grazers, and motile inverts - Pt. Lobos versus Hopkins |
| Wed, Oct 14 | Field: Quantitative sampling of kelps, grazers, and motile inverts - Pt. Lobos versus Hopkins | |
| Week 4 | Mon, Oct 19 | Lecture: How to write a scientific paper. Readings: Watanabe (1984), Sala & Graham (2002) Review past field project (Hopkins vs. Pt. Lobos) |
| Wed, Oct 21 | Lecture: Applied ecology - application of population, community and ecosystem ecology to the management and conservation of kelp forest resources and ecosystems. First field report due Readings: Steneck and Carelton (2002), Halpern et al. vs. Foster et al. (2007),and Estes et al (1998) |
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| Week 5 | Mon, Oct 26 | Lecture: Grad student research presentations Readings: Duggins et al. (1989), Carr (1991), Raimondi et al. 2004, and Graham et al. 2008( Food Webs and the Dynamics of Marine Benthic Ecosystems) Introduce upcoming dive |
| Wed, Oct 28 | Field: Comparative sampling methods--random vs. uniform quadrats at Hopkins |
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| Week 6 | Mon, Nov 2 | Field: Quantitative sampling of kelp forest fishes and habitat associations at Hopkins Marine Station |
| Wed, Nov 4 | MIDTERM / PRACTICAL Review past field project (random vs. uniform) Student Independent Research PROPOSAL presentations and discussion |
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| Week 7 | Mon, Nov 9 | Field: Individual research projects |
| Wed, Nov 11 | Holiday (Veteran's Day) - no class |
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| Week 8 | Mon, Nov 16 | Second field report due Field: Individual research projects, |
| Wed, Nov 18 | Field: Individual research projects | |
| Week 9 | Mon, Nov 23 | Field: Individual research projects |
| Wed, Nov 25 | Field: Individual research projects | |
| Week 10 | Mon, Nov 30 | Field: Individual research projects |
| Wed, Dec 2 | Individual research presentations | |
| FINALS |
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| Wed, Dec 9 | Research papers due by 4 PM - submitted electronically! |
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
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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 two 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.