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Coral Reef Ecology

Instructor:

Robert Lovely, Ph.D.
Ecology & Conservation Biology
Biology Department
Madison Area Technical College
3550 Anderson Street
Madison, WI 53704
608-246-6720
Email: rlovelymatcmadison.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION  

NOTE: Diving certification is not necessary to enroll in this course but is recommended. For SCUBA-certified (PADI, NAUI, or SSI certified) students who will be diving, there is a $100 Lab fee with this course, which covers dive tank, air, and dive weight rental. Students with SCUBA certification are expected to bring their own BC, regulator, and proof of certification. Dive gear may be rented from a local dive shop.

This course in coral reef ecology offers intermediate-level undergraduate fieldwork, while examining marine ecosystem types and processes. Students will explore reef diversity and adaptations to various marine habitats, as well as community responses to certain human influences. Methods of field study will include individual and group observations, data sampling, and interpretation of structural and functional community relationships. We will exploit the exceptional course location by directing considerable attention toward getting to know the reef fishes, corals, and other reef creatures. Consequently, the three required texts for this course are field guides, known collectively as the “reef set” (see below). In addition, each student is required to conduct an independent research project, which will culminate in both an oral presentation to colleagues and a written report.

Final grades will be assigned according to quiz scores and the level of sophistication of reports, including the appropriate application of ecological concepts and nomenclature to community descriptions.

Required Texts: *
Paul Humann and Ned Deloach, Reef Coral Identification, Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas (Jacksonville, Florida: New World Publications, Inc., 2002; third printing, 2006). ISBN 1-878348-32-9
Paul Humann and Ned Deloach, Reef Fish Identification, Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas (Jacksonville, Florida: New World Publications, Inc., 2002; latest printing, 2006). ISBN 1-878348-30-2
Paul Humann and Ned Deloach, Reef Creature Identification, Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas (Jacksonville, Florida: New World Publications, Inc., 2002; third printing, 2006). ISBN 1-878348-31-0

* Please note: Students must purchase the above reef set texts in advance (available from Amazon.com and elsewhere) and bring them to Bocas.

Recommended Text:
Ned Deloach and Paul Humann, Reef Fish Behavior, Florida, Caribbean, Bahamas (Jacksonville, Florida: New World Publications, Inc., 1999; third printing, 2007). ISBN 1-878348-28-0

Course Prerequisites: Introductory college-level course in Biology, Ecology, or Environmental Science, or consent of instructor

Course Schedule by Day

  1. Course Introduction, orientation.
    Study: Reef Fish, pp. 4-17
    AM: Lecture: Introduction to Coral Reef Ecology; Reef Formation and Morphology
    PM: Introduction to reef sites
    Study: Reef Fish pp.18-89
  2. AM: Lecture: Energy Flow
    PM: Fish Survey Techniques
    Study: Reef Fish pp.90-149
  3. AM: Lecture: Biogeochemical Cycles
    PM: Fish Survey Techniques
    Study: Reef Fish pp. 150-235
  4. AM: Lecture: Population Dynamics
    PM: Fish Survey Techniques
    Study: Reef Fish pp. 236-329
  5. AM: Practice Quiz, Reef Fishes (not graded)
    Lecture: Species Interactions: Predation and Competition
    PM: Fish Survey Techniques
    Study: Reef Fish pp. 330-421
  6. AM: Lecture: Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
    PM: Fish Survey Techniques
    Study: Reef Fish pp. 422-481
  7. AM: Quiz 1, Reef Fishes (common names from Humann)
    Independent Study Period
    PM: Benthic Survey Techniques
    Study: Reef Creatures, Sponges, pp. 6-61
  8. AM: Independent Research Proposal Due (typed)
    PM: Benthic Survey Techniques
    Study: Reef Creatures, Hydroids, Jellies, Anemones and related groups, pp. 62-89, 126-133, 90-125
  9. AM: Lecture: Rocky Intertidal Zones
    PM: Fieldwork: Rocky Intertidal Zones at Bird Island
    Study: Reef Coral, Hydrocorals and Gorgonians, pp. 6-21, 22-85
  10. AM: Lecture: Estuaries
    PM: Fieldwork: Changuinola River Estuary
    Study: Reef Coral, Stony Corals, pp. 272-278, 86-105
  11. Boquete, Cloud Forest Field Trip
  12. Boquete, Cloud Forest Field Trip
  13. Boquete, Cloud Forest Field Trip
  14. AM: Practice Quiz, Reef Corals (not graded)
    Lecture: Marine Plants and Algae
    PM: Fieldwork Buddy Research Dives:
    Study: Reef Coral, Stony Corals (continued), pp. 106-187
  15. AM: Lecture: Mangroves
    PM: Fieldwork: Mangroves
    Study: Reef Coral, Marine Plants and Algae, pp. 188-239,
    Coral Diseases, Predation, and Overgrowth, 240-271
  16. AM: Quiz 2, Reef Corals (scientific names)
    PM: Buddy Research Dives
    Study: Reef Creatures, Worms, pp. 134-163
  17. AM: Independent Research
    PM: Buddy Research Dives
    Study: Reef Creatures, Crustaceans, pp. 164-243
  18. AM: Independent Research
    PM: Buddy Research Dives
    Study: Reef Creatures, Bryozoans, pp. 244-255
  19. AM: Independent Research
    PM: Buddy Research Dives
    Study: Reef Creatures, Mollusks, pp. 256-349
  20. AM: Quiz 3, Covers Lecture Content
    Independent Research
    PM: Buddy Research Dives
    Study: Reef Creatures, Echinoderms, pp. 350-399
  21. AM: Independent Research
    PM: Buddy Research Dives
    Study: Reef Creatures, Tunicates, pp. 400-420
  22. AM: Quiz 4, Reef Creatures (common names from Humann)
    Independent Research
    PM: Data Analysis, Prep. Research Results
  23. AM: Prep. & Finalize Research Presentation
    PM: Research Presentations
  24. AM: Prep. & Finalize Research Paper
    PM: Research Paper Due
  25. Last day of class. Course Wrap-up.
  26. Depart Bocas