300202 UE Biodiversity of marine coastal habitats (2026S)

The practical part of the course takes place during two weeks (29.06.-11.07.2026) in Rovinj, Croatia, at the marine station of the Ruđer Bošković-Institute, where a diversity of marine habitats is easily accessible.
In a weekly preparatory lecture starting on Monday, 27. 04. 2026 16:45 - 18:15, students obtain basic knowledge in hydrography and ecology of marine mediterranean habitats. They are familiar with the most important organisms, their roles in their ecosystems, and their identification.
Each day in Rovinj is dedicated to various aspects of marine habitats. After an introductory lecture, field work is usually organised in groups examining different aspects of the habitat. The organisms are collected by snorkelling and preliminarily identified in the field. Afternoons are dedicated to specimen identification in the lab. In addition to addressing advanced marine biological questions, deeper insights to morphological and functional issues of these organisms are in focus. The information gathered in the field and the lab is summarized in short oral presentations by the students. The list of habitats and topics treated includes plankton, fishes, the intertidal areas, sublitoral rocky, sandy and mud bottoms, secondary hard bottoms, interstitial fauna, algal communities, sea grass meadows, and marine caves.
The aim of the course is to familiarise students with the most common and characteristic marine organisms of the various habitats. Depending on their prior knowledge, students gain advanced insights into the ecological significance and morphological features of marine organisms.

Costs:
Contribution to bench fees and ship rental: 50 €.
Travel and accommodation (individually organised): 450 - 650 €.