Chemical and physical parameters of the sea. Pelagic biome, biology and ecology of Plancton and Necton. . Marine ecosystem, trophic levels and food pyramid. Problems related to fishing and management of the marine resources. Subdivisions of the benthic environment. Characteristics of the benthic organisms of hard and soft substrata. Zonation of supralittoral and intertidal environments and spatio-temporal use of resources. Marine biogeography (outline). Marine pollution and bio-indicator organisms (outline).
Biologia Marina (authors: G. Cognetti, M. Sarà, G. Magazzù, Calderoni editor) (book available for reading in the dipartimental library) .
Learning Objectives
Knowledge on physical and chemical characteristics of the marine environment, on the main groups of marine organisms and their morphological, physiological and behavioural adaptations to the different marine habitats.
Skills and competences : acquisition of an appropriate zoological language in the description of topics and problems related to the marine biology. Capacity of discussion about specific issues treated in the course. Capacity of recognition and classification of the marine organisms described in the course.
Prerequisites
Baseline knowledge of general biology, Zoology of marine invertebrates, comparative anatomy
Teaching Methods
Lectures are face-to-face, with time dedicated to critical discussion and with frequent references to previous knowledge (particularly on marine invertebrate zoology). During the lectures, marine invertebrates are shown, from the collection stored in the same lecture room (room 3 at the Department of Evolutionary Biology, Via Romana 17, Florence)
Further information
Office hours and informations: at the end of each lecture or through the teacher e-mail:
Rossana.brizzi@unifi.it
Alberto.ugolini@unifi.it
Type of Assessment
An oral exam on the subjects illustrated by the two Teachers throughout the course
Course program
Main chemical and physical parameters of the marine habitat and their effects on the organisms. Pelagic biome. Biology and ecology of Plancton and Necton: morphological and behavioural specializations. Organization of the marine ecosystem and interactions among biological and environmental components. Trophic levels and food pyramid. Problems related to fishing and management of the marine resources. Traditional and innovative fishing methods. Fishing regulation and safeguard interventions. Main methods and results of the aquaculture. Subdivisions of the benthic environment. Characteristics of the principals benthic organisms living on hard and soft substrata. Morphological and behavioral adaptations to the littoral environment. Biotic and abiotic stress factors. Zonation of supralittoral and intertidal environments and spatio-temporal use of resources. Biology and ecology of benthos. Marine biogeography (outline). Marine pollution and bio-indicator organisms (outline).