Global Change Impact on Underwater Ecosystems

What it is about

You study a selected underwater ecosystem (coastal marine zone e.g. the Mediterranean or a alpine lake) in a hands-on, on-site setting. In the end you will be able to explain ecological processes and impacts of global change on species, populations and habitats, analyze data from field investigations, and derive measures for monitoring and protection.

What you will be able to do

• Explain key processes and structures of underwater ecosystems
• Identify main drivers of global change for underwater habitats
• Analyze interactions between environmental changes and ecological functions
• Apply field methods of underwater research
• Critically evaluate investigation data
• Assess vulnerability and resilience of ecosystems
• Design reasoned recommendations for management, protection and monitoring

What the module consists of

• Excursion (field exercise, 8 days)practical data collection and execution of small own research projects on site
• Seminar (1 day)presentation and discussion of results from the excursion projects

Teaching method

• Diving and snorkelingdirect inventory of species, habitats and communities; diving only with a scientific diving certificate, otherwise participation by snorkeling
• eDNA samplingdetecting cryptic or hard-to-observe species through water samples
• Morphometric and ecological mappingmeasuring structures, substrates and habitat classification to create maps
• Group work, data analysis and reflectionjoint evaluation, discussion and development of management proposals
• Practical field research projectsapplication and deepening of scientific methods through independent questions and experiments