How Aquatic Ecosystems Function

This course unit is designed to enable students to gain in-depth knowledge of how aquatic ecosystems function and to identify threats and vulnerabilities in the face of local pressures and climate change.

It will also enable students to 1) understand the specific characteristics of how benthic ecosystems function and the ecological roles of their components, 2) acquire in-depth knowledge of how aquatic ecosystems function, 3) gain knowledge about the impact of chemical and biological contaminants (toxic and pathogenic microalgae), climate change, and human activities on aquatic ecosystems, their functioning, and their components, including the associated socioeconomic repercussions. This course unit will develop monitoring networks for the marine environment and the health of harvested marine animals by addressing mortality issues.

• Gain in-depth knowledge of how aquatic ecosystems function
• Understand the specific characteristics of how benthic ecosystems function and the ecological roles of their components
• Understanding biogeochemistry in aquatic ecosystems, using carbon as a model system
• To gain an understanding of the threats to marine and freshwater ecosystems (biological invasions, cyanobacterial blooms, and toxic microalgal blooms) in the context of global change, which raises the issue of these ecosystems’ vulnerability.
• Understanding how the food web functions, including its planktonic components and allelopathic interactions
• A focus on the tools and objectives of marine environmental monitoring, particularly of Mediterranean lagoons—whether human-altered or not.
• Gain an understanding of the impact of chemical contaminants, climate change, and human activity on aquatic ecosystems, with a focus on microbial communities
• The ocean is a treasure trove of active and valuable molecules, which requires sustainable management of these resources
• Gain knowledge about monitoring networks for the marine environment and marine animal health
• Understanding the causes of mollusk mortality in an anthropogenically altered marine environment, with a focus on the role of pathogens

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Basic knowledge of biology and ecology

100% Final Written Exam