Marine Ecology (2406)

Prof. dr. sc. Davor Lučić

University of Dubrovnik

Understand the complexity of ecosystems in the marine environment and how to maintain biodiversity in the sea.

Introduction - Ecology in general
Introduction- Marine ecology (Oceans, closed seas, coastal systems, estuaries)
Introduction- Ecology of the Sea (Adriatic Sea)
Features of Ecosystem I (temperature, salinity, oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, silicon)
Features of Ecosystem II (waves, currents, light, vertical migrations, adaptations of the living world
Features of Ecosystem III (behavior, vertical migrations, DSL, adaptations of the living world)
Methods and tools of marine research I (weather, waves, currents, temperature, salinity, oxygen, nutrients)
Methods and tools of marine research II (qualitative, quantitative, nectonics, plankton, benthos)
General features of the living world – autochthonous – allochthonous species, plankton, benthos, nectonics, definitions, examples, Adriatic specificities
Plankton I- basic distribution; bacterioplankton, phytoplankton, zooplankton and group representatives
Plankton II- meroplankton - holoplankton, representatives, characteristic species, distribution in the vertical column of the sea
Plankton III – plankton biomass, interrelationship in the food chain, non-naritical plankton, ocean plankton, spatial migrations, relation to benthos and nectonics
Benthos I - basic distribution, phytobenthos, zoobentos, representatives of groups and characteristic species
Bentos II – representatives of groups at different bottoms and depths (sludge, sand, cliff-
Benthic bionomy of the Adriatic Sea - characteristic facies (special review of sea flower meadows)
Characteristic marine ecosystems in the oceans- mangroves, coral reefs, Sargasso Sea, deep-sea life communities
Nectonic i - basic distribution, cephalopods, turtles, fish, mammals - horizontal migrations (north-south seas, Florida - Mediterranean Sea, southern - northern Adriatic)
Nectonic II – Sardines (Sardine pilchardus) spawning grounds and ecological interpretation)
Fouling communities and aquaculture: fouling cages, collectors and pergolars - dependence on ecological conditions
Introduction of type I - input pathways, causes, consequences, Red Sea - northern Adriatic, Atlantic - Black Sea, Caulerpa spp. Mnemiopsis sp.
Introduction of species II - ballast waters, Adriatic Sea, hazards in aquaculture
Examples of ecosystems I. Coastal ecosystems, Lim Bay, Bay of Rijeka, Kastela Bay, Rijeka Dubrovnik, Bay of Boka Kotor.
Examples of Ecosystem II Open Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Northern Adriatic, Southern Adriatic
Specific Ecosystems I - Lakes of Mljet
Specific Ecosystems II - Bay of Maloston - Neretva Delta
Speciation and biogeography- allopatric and sympathetic populations, causes of divergence
Sea exploitation and consequences- fishing, polluting,
Biodiversity and nature protection
Conclusion - recapitulation of basic ecological concepts and their analysis in relation to the exploitation of the sea

1. Analyse the functionality of ecosystems in the marine environment.
2. Propose ways to apply ecological principles and principles in protecting natural resources and maintaining biodiversity in the sea.
3. Identify practical approaches to exploiting marine ecosystems for aquaculture and other uses.
4. Review the purpose and significance of specific measures to protect individual coastal ecosystems.

Participation in lectures and exercises and preparation of seminar work that must be published in one of the scientific journals.

the output is a combination of all the above categories

1. Ricklefs and Miller: Ecology. 1999. (4. Ed.) Freeman and Co.
2. Barnes, R.S.K. & R.N. Huges 1982. An introduction to Marine Ecology, Blackwell Science, UK, London, pp. 351
3. Šolić, M. 2003. Ecology basics (internal script + power point presentations) http://www.izor.hr/hr/nastava/osnove_ekologije/OE_prez.html

Begon, Harper and Townsend: Ecology: Individuals, Populations and Communities. 1997. (3. Ed.),
Ercegović, A. 1949. Life in the sea – biology bionomy of the Adriatic Sea. HAZU, Zagreb, 412 pp.

Student survey.
The success of the course will be evaluated annually by the joint expert committee of the Ruđer Boskovic Institute, the University of Dubrovnik and the University of Josip Juraj Strossmayer in Osijek based on exam success and surveys.