Coral Reef Ecology

An examination of current topics in the biology of corals and the ecology and conservation of coral reefs in the Anthropocene. The seminar course sessions include an introductory lecture on the topic at hand coupled with discussion of assigned papers in the recent scientific literature. The course follows ecological principles to examine key species interactions, biodiversity patterns and consequences, trophic dynamics, pathways of resilience and regime shifts on coral reefs. This foundation builds the knowledge needed for advanced discussions of the effect of global climate change on coral reefs during the latter part of the course. Students select a contemporary topic to investigate and prepare a critical evaluation of research on that topic as a final term paper.