Marine Phytoplankton and Zooplankton

Code:

RM28

Acronym:

FZM

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
OFICIAL	Marine Biology and Ecology

Instance: 2022/2023 - 2S (of 20-02-2023 to 14-07-2023)

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Microscopy
Course/CS Responsible:	Master Degree in Marine Sciences - Marine Resources

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MCMRM	0	Oficial Plan 2018	1	-	5	50	135

Teaching language

Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Recognize the diversity of marine aquatic ecosystems, and the role that varying abiotic factors have in the stratification of coastal and oceanic waters, as well as in the distribution of biological communities. Know the definition of plankton, and the major planktonic groups according to biological and ecological criteria.  

Phytoplankton
Recognize the main groups of phytoplankton, its life cycles, morphological and functional adaptations, and relationship with the physical and chemical oceanographic processes. Importance in the food chain of biotoxin producing marine phytoplankton, and the dynamic of major proliferations on the Portuguese coast. Acquire knowledge regarding methodologies for the study of marine phytoplankton.

Zooplankton
Recognize the main groups of zooplankton, its life cycles, functional and ecological adaptations to the marine environment, and distribution in relation with global physical processes. Acknowledge the trophic importance of zooplankton, and the applicability of its study. Acquire knowledge regarding methodologies for the study of marine zooplankton.

Learning outcomes and competences

Theme I: Phytoplankton

Skills: To know the nomenclature used in phytoplankton, the different taxa that it encompasses and their ecology (life cycles, morphological/functional adaptations, and relationship with oceanographic processes). Acquired knowledge about the trophic importance of marine phytoplankton producer of biotoxins. Ability to identify the main marine species of toxic phytoplankton in the Portuguese coast. Knowledge regarding sampling methodologies.

Results: Acquired capacity to work with marine phytoplankton.

Theme II: Zooplankton

Skills: To know the nomenclature used in zooplankton, the different taxa that it encompasses, their ecology (shapes, functional and ecological adaptations, and links with global physical processes), and trophic chain importance. Ability to identify the main zooplanktonic groups/species represented in the Portuguese coast. Knowledge regarding sampling methodologies.

Results: Acquired capacity to work with marine zooplankton.

Working method

Presencial

Program

• Introduction to marine ecosystems and plankton classification • History of the planet and oceans
• I Introduction Evolutionary history of the planet and oceans, with emphasis on the origin, evolution and participation of plankton • Ecology and classification of marine aquatic ecosystems • Marine communities • Definition and divisions of plankton • Main plankton groups.

• Diversity and Ecology of Coastal and Marine Phytoplankton •  Main taxonomic groups • Morphological adaptations • Life cycles • Concept of population and community • Concept of biodiversity • Cycles of planktonic production • Sampling of phytoplankton, spatial and temporal scales of observation • biogeographic zones of distribution • Ecological adaptations, and physical and biological interactions. Indicator species • Phytoplankton in upwelling areas. Margalef Mandala • Examples of the distribution and dynamics of phytoplankton groups in the Iberian upwelling • The mechanism of formation of the spring bloom • Blooms and Red Tides • Toxic species, types of toxicity and geographic distribution • Toxic phytoplankton in Portuguese waters and state of knowledge of the dynamics of blooms • Propagation of blooms • Climate change • Networks alert.

• Diversity and Ecology of Coastal and Marine Zooplankton • Systematics, morphology and life cycles of the main groups of zooplankton • Development: planktotrophic vs lecithotrophy • Integrative taxonomy in the study of marine zooplankton biodiversity • Ecology of zooplankton • Spatial distribution: macro-, meso- and micro-scale; the seamounts; Langmuir cells; the internal waves • Vertical distribution: ontogenic migrations, daily vertical migrations, and the Deep scattering layer • Temporal variation of zooplankton distribution • Secondary production • Zooplankton and the food chain • Sampling methodologies • Laboratory methodologies • Zooplankton and biodiversity conservation.

Mandatory literature

Pettersson, LH, Pozdnyakov D; Monitoring of Harmful Algal Blooms, Springer, 2013
Sardet, C; Plankton: Wonders of the Drifting World, University Of Chicago Press, 2015
Smith, P; Standard Techniques For Pelagic Fish Egg And Larva Surveys. FAO Fish. Tech. Paper 175. , Ulan Press, 2013
Moestrup, Ø.; Akselmann, R.; Fraga, S.; Hansen, G.; Hoppenrath, M.; Iwataki, M.; Komárek, J.; Larsen, J.; Lundholm, N.; Zingone, A. (Eds) ; IOC-UNESCO Taxonomic Reference List of Harmful Micro Algae. Accessed at http://www.marinespecies.org/hab, 2009. ISBN: IOC-UNESCO
[Several]; [Updated selection of papers and other study materials]

Complementary Bibliography

Hallegraeff, GM, Anderson DM, Cembella AD; Manual on Harmful Marine Algae, UNESCO Publishing, 2003
Harris, R, Wiebe, P, Lenz, J, Skjoldal, HR, Huntley, M; ICES Zooplankton Methodology Manual, ICES, 2000
Lasker R; Marine Fish Larvae. Morphology, Ecology and Relation to Fisheries. , University of Washington Press, 1984
Todd, CD, Laverack, MS, Boxshall, GA; Coastal Marine Zooplankton: a Practical Manual for Students. , University Press, Cambridge, 1996
Tomas, CR; Identifying Marine Diatoms and Dinoflagellates, Academic Press, 1996
UNESCO/IOC Project Office; IOC Harmful Algal Bloom Website, UNESCO, 2016. ISBN: http://hab.ioc-unesco.org/

Teaching methods and learning activities

The methodology is based on a typology of theoretical and practical classes. Theoretical classes using audio-visual equipment. Practical classes divided between field work for sampling in estuaries of the Portuguese coast, and laboratory work to be carried out using scientific equipment commonly used in the study of phyto- and zooplankton. Discussions and debates are promoted, with an emphasis on articles and real cases, based on data systematically collected by IPMA, among others. Evaluation is done through assignments and a final exam.

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	50,00
Trabalho escrito	50,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Estudo autónomo	85,00
Frequência das aulas	50,00
Total:	135,00

Eligibility for exams

According to UPorto rules.

Calculation formula of final grade

Module Porto: Continuous (50% of final grade)

Module IPMA: Exam (50% of final grade)

Note: can be modified by mutual agreement of students, teachers and the direction of the course.