300199 UE Introduction to the fauna and flora of marine habitats (2021S)

The practical part of the course takes place during two weeks in Rovinj, Croatia, at the marine station of the Ruder Boscovic Institute, where a diversity of marine habitats is easily accessible.

In a preparatory lecture starting on Monday, 03. 05. 2021, 16:00 - 18:00, 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 the marine biological question, morphological and functional issues of these organisms are of importance. 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, algae and 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, their ecological significance and their morphological features.

Costs:
Contribution to bench fees and ship rental: 50 €.
Travel and accommodation (individually organised): 300 - 500 €.