Undergraduate Course: Marine Systems and Policies (UG) (EASC10083)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | Marine (coastal and ocean) environments are fundamental features of the Earth system that are profoundly influenced by human interactions. As these ecosystems are trans-boundary and multi-dimensional the policy instruments governing the utilization of coastal ocean systems are complex. However, policies, laws and regulations are often disconnected to the scale and dynamics of targeted ecosystems and species in both time and space (e.g. oceanographic processes, migratory species, multi-site life stages). Many global to local scale policies can be more effective, support deeper understanding of ecosystem processes, and take into account cumulative impacts of social pressures and environmental change, when viewed through an ecosystem lens from the past and looking ahead. Additionally, as technology advances, human population increases and energy demands combine to extend the horizons of marine exploration and exploitation further offshore, a robust understanding of policies impacts and ecology responses in coastal-ocean realms is increasingly vital.
This course uses case studies to gain an understanding of marine spatial planning to explore linkages between different scales of coastal-ocean ecosystem processes and ecological dynamics in connection with applicable scales of policy instruments (e.g. Law of the Sea, Convention of Biodiversity, UNESCO World Heritage; regional conventions; Local codes and policies framed around fishing regulations, coastal zoning). Diverse case studies across a range of biomes, scales, and issues are considered to examine and test the suitability of different policies for different ecosystem scales, environmental issues and socio-cultural contexts. Examples of case study scales include: Archipelagos and Islands, Estuaries, Semi-enclosed Seas, Continental Margins, Urbanizing Shorelines and Global Oceans.
While most courses in GeoSciences are terrestrial in orientation, this course is focuses on marine ecosystems, issues and policies in an integrated way that provides foundational learning for critical analysis of marine environments and human impacts. This course will help prepare students for positions in governments, NGOs, environmental consultancies and private enterprise requiring competency at the science-policy interface.
This course is co-taught as a 20 credit course for Postgraduates and a ten credit course for Fourth Year Environmental GeoScience and Ecology students, with joint lecture sessions. There are additonal Postgraduate-level discussion groups and extra journal response assignments. Group Presentations will be presented by both groupings, with all students attending. Both groups will have individual policy position papers. |
| Course description |
This course will explore the linkages between different scales of coastal ocean ecosystem processes and ecological dynamics in connection with applicable scales of marine environmental policy instruments.
PLEASE NOTE: The course order may change due to speakers' availability.
The first part of the course examines diverse exemplary case studies illustrating a range of biomes, scales, issues through which suitability of different policies will be examined and tested. Building on these examples, students will conduct their own case-based policy suitability and solution analysis though small group presentations and an individual essay.
Week 1
Course overview, goals and organization. Introduction to different realms of coastal-ocean ecosystems in the context of science, policy and management linkages, noting distinctions from terrestrial systems.
Week 2
Archipelagos, Atolls and Islands: Coral reefs and island habitats, World Heritage on island biogeography, ecology and cultures, connectivity across similar sites; sea level rise; habitat loss; cultural values, formal and traditional governance) (Micronesia, Polynesia).
Week 3
Continental Margins and Shelves : Offshore features, upwelling, seabed, seamounts, reefs; Policies targeting a balance of extractive activities with biodiversity conservation, e.g. fisheries, infrastructure, renewable, offshore exploration. (e.g. California, Scotland, Australia).
Week 4
Estuaries and Semi-enclosed Seas : Deltas, wetlands, shallow seas; Regional Seas policies on transboundary issues pollution, fisheries, land to sea based impacts. (e.g. NE Atlantic OSPAR, Red Sea - Jeddah Conv., Black Sea-Bucharest Convention, Mediterranean Sea Barcelona Convention.
Week 5
Perspectives and Approaches to Marine Policy Analysis and Case Study Design Tutorial.
Week 6
Transboundary Shorelines: Conservation and restoration across large scale transboundary shorelines (e.g. marine parks across Mozambique ¿Tanzinia, Great Barrier Reef).
Week 7
Global Oceans (pelagic and large MAPS, climate change, temperature, acidification, migratory species, circulation; High Seas UNCLOS, global instruments (Climate Change Framework, Biodiversity Convention), (Maldives, Pacific Ocean MPAs, tuna, turtles).
Week 8
Peer Reviewed Group Presentations (Case studies by PGT students, peer reviewed by UG).
Week 9
Peer Reviewed Group Presentations (Case studies by UG students, peer reviewed by PGT).
Week 10
Abstracts Symposia session sharing overviews of individual policy papers.
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Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2014/15, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: 12 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
98 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Written Exam: 0%, Course Work: 100 %, Practical Exam: 0%.
The course work includes a Draft Abstract (non marked) and Group Presentation.
Lecture attendance is recorded and participation noted (not marked).
Draft 300 word abstract of case study due on Week 6 (not assessed, for discussion, hard copy in class).
Group Presentation (40%) on Week 9 (70% of total is individual and 30% of total is group)
Final Abstract and Individual Policy Papers on Week 10 (60% total mark) (hard copy in class, and LEARN). |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Ecosystem Learning Outcomes
1. Coastal-marine ecosystem processes and marine spatial planning, inter-dynamics and scales (e.g. global ocean, islands, continental margins, sub-intertidal).
2. Human dimensions and drivers of environmental change in the marine environment (climate change, energy, fishing, species changes, urbanization).
3. Pathways and scenarios for recovery, e.g. habitat conservation, restoration, enhancement, creation. - Policy Learning Outcomes
1. Key global and regional coastal ocean policy applications (CCFC, CBD, World Heritage, Ramsar, LOS, FAO, OSPAR, Barcelona).
2. Key species and habitat policies (Habitats Directive, Endangered Species Act).
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Reading List
USEFUL BOOKS:
Nybakken, JW, Marine Biology - An Ecological Approach
Polunin, VC (ed) - Aquatic Ecosystems
Woodruff, CD, Coasts, Form, Processes and Evolution
Pinet, P, Oceanography - An Introduction to the Oceans
IPCC 2014 Working Group II Reports on, selected sections on oceans, coasts, regions, islands
INDICATIVE JOURNAL ARTICLES:
Bulleri, F and Chapman MG, 2010. The introduction of coastal infrastructure as a driver of change in marine environments. Journal of Applied Ecology Vol 47 (26-35)
Crain, CM et al, 2009. Understanding and Managing Human Threats to the Coastal Marine Environment. The Year in Ecology and Conservation Biology 2009: Ann.N.Y.Acad.Sci. 1162 (39-62)
Doney, SC et al, 2011. Climate change impacts on marine ecosystems. Annual Review of Marine Science 2012 4:4 (4.1-4.27)
Hobday , AJ, et al., Dynamic Ocean Management: Integrating Scientific and Technical Capacity with Law, Policy and Mangment, Stanford Environmental Law Journal Vol.33:2
Hoffman, GE and Gaines SD, 2008. New tools to meet new challenges: emerging technologies for managing marine ecosystems for resilience. Bioscience Jan 2008 Vol 58 No. 1 (43-52)
Hoegh-Guldberg O et al (2011) The future of coral reef. SCIENCE 334: 1494-1495
Jackson, JBC et al 2001. Historical Overfishing and the Recent Collapse of Coastal Ecosystems Science Vol 293 27 July 2001 (630-637)
Jentoft, S and Chuenpagdee, R, 2009. Fisheries and coastal governance as a wicked problem. Marine Policy 33 (2009) 553-560.
Levin, LA and Sibuet, M, 2011. Understanding margin biodiversity: a new imperative. Annual Review of Marine Science 2012 Vol 4 (8.1 ¿ 8.34)
Mills M, et al 2010. A mismatch of scales: challenges in planning for implementation of MPAs in the Coral Triangle. Conservation Letters 3 (2010) 291-303.
Molnar, JL et al, 2008. Assessing the global threat of invasive species to marine biodiversity. Frontiers in Ecology 2008 6 (9) (485-492).
Nicholls, RJ and Cazenave, A, 2010. Sea-level rise and its impact on coastal zones. Science Vol 328 18 June 2010 (1517-1520)
Orr, JC et al, 2005. Anthropogenic ocean acidification over the twenty-first century and its impact on calcifying organisms. Nature Vol 437 29 Sept 2005 (681-686)
Palumbi, SR et al, 2009. Managing for ocean biodiversity to sustain marine ecosystem services. Frontiers in Ecology 2009 7 (4) (204-2011)
Ramirez-Llodra, E. et al, 2011. Man and the last great wilderness: human impact on the Deep Sea. PLoS ONE July 2011 Vol 6 Issue 7 (1-26)
Thrush, SF and Dayton, PK, 2010. What can ecology contribute to ecosystem-based management? Annual Review of Marine Science. 2010. 2:419-41.
Warner, R.M., 2014. Conserving marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction: co-evolution and interatction with the law of the sea. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
- Capacity to conduct context based policy analysis to develop solutions for different settings and scales;
- Writing brief critiques and reviews of key literature and policies.
- Leadership and participation in group discussions on complex topics, scientific literature and examples;
- Team based oral presentations and participation in an Abstracts Symposia.
- Researching, constructing and delivering individual 'white paper/position paper.'
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| Additional Class Delivery Information |
This course will run weeks 1-10 from 14:10-18:00 in the Edinburgh Carbon Innovation Centre. There are 16 spaces for Fourth Year Environmental Geoscience and Ecology students. |
| Keywords | Marine, coastal ocean ecosystems; biophysical processes and scales; marine policy and governance; cl |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Meriwether Wilson
Tel: (0131 6)50 4311
Email: meriwether.wilson@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Mr Ken O'Neill
Tel: (0131 6)50 8510
Email: koneill3@exseed.ed.ac.uk |
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