Postgraduate Course: Marine Systems and Policies (PGGE11186)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 11 (Postgraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Marine 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 more robust understanding of policies impacts and ecology responses in coastal-ocean realms is increasingly vital.
This course uses case studies to explore linkages between different scales of coastal-ocean ecosystem processes and ecological dynamics in connection with applicable scales of policy instruments t(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 unique as it focuses on marine ecosystems, issues and policies in an integrated way that provides focused, 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 10c course with joint lecture sessions. There will be specialized 20c level discussion groups and 20c only journal response assignments. Group Presentations will be presented by 10c and 20c groupings, but all will attend. Both 10c and 20c will have individual policy position papers. |
| Course description |
This course will explore the linkages between different scales of marine ecosystem processes and ecological dynamics in connection with applicable scales of marine policy instruments.
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.
(NB. May be some changes in order per speakers etc., and having group presentations spread throughout course TBD.)
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. 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 4. 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 5. Urbanizing Shorelines: changes to intertidal-subtidal habitats over time in post industrial cities, ongoing incremental urbanization and new cities; Look at local codes, zoning, changes to shorelines, sea level rise, coastal protection drivers, and restoration vs. hybrid habitats vs. artificial habitats; (Seattle, Edinburgh, Barcelona)
Week 6. Global Oceans (climate change, temperature, acidification, migratory species, circulation; High Seas UNCLOS, global instruments (Climate Change Framework, Biodiversity Convention), (Antarctica, Galapagos)
Week 7. Case Study Design Tutorial: Instructor meetings to refine group and individual case preparation.
Week 8. Peer Reviewed Group Presentations (potentially case studies by PGT students, peer reviewed by UG)
Week 9. Peer Reviewed Group Presentations (potentially case studies by UG students, peer reviewed by PGT)
Week 10. Abstracts Symposia session sharing overview of individual policy papers.
(Final Papers due by end of term, date t.b.d. in coordination with Programme DOS.)
|
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2014/15, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: 31 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 33,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
163 )
|
| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Lecture and group discussion participation (unmarked), 5 x Journal Article Responses (500 words) (25%); Group presentation 25%, Symposia Abstracts Conference (unmarked), 2500 word Policy Paper (50%) |
| Feedback |
Not entered |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- 1) Understand coastal-marine ecosystem processes, inter-dynamics across diverse scales.
2) Understand human drivers of environmental change in the marine environments (climate change, energy, fishing, species changes, urbanization).
3) Understand pathways and scenarios for recovery, e.g. habitat conservation, restoration, enhancement, creation.
4) Understand key global, regional and local coastal ocean policy applications.
5) Understanding exemplars of different modes of governance, from formal laws, community management and traditional knowledge. - You will develop the following transferable skills:
1) Capacity to conduct policy analysis for different settings and scales.
2) Writing and reviews of key literature and policies.
3) Leadership and participation in group discussions.
4) Team based oral presentations.
5) Researching, constructing and delivering individual policy papers.
|
Reading List
Excerpts from:
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 2007: Working Group II, selected sections on coasts, regions, islands
World Bank, UNEP: Regional Seas, International Waters, Large Marine Ecosystems
EU, UK, NOAA (USA), (Aust) on National « » Local Policies
IUCN on Marine Invasives, Blue Carbon, Marine Protected Areas, High Seas
UNESCO and CBD on World Heritage Marine Properties
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)
Carr, MH et al, 2003. Comparing marine and terrestrial ecosystems: Implications for the design of coastal marine reserves. Ecological Applications, 13 (1) Supplement, 2003 (S90-S107)
Clark, RC et al, 2010. The ecology of seamounts: structure, function and human impacts. Annual Review of Marine Science 2010 2 (253-78)
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)
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 Dayton PK, 2009. Ecological theory and continental margins: where shallow meets deep. Trends in Ecology and Evolution Vol 24 No. 11 (606-617)
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)
Palumbi, SR et al, 2008. Ecosystems in Action: Lessons from Marine Ecology about Recovery, Resistance, and Reversibility . BioScience Jan 2008 Vol 58 No. 1 (33 - 42)
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)
Scheffer. M et al, 2001. Catastrophic shifts in ecosystems Nature Vol 413, 11 Oct 2001 (591 ¿ 596)
Thrush, SF and Dayton, PK, 2010. What can ecology contribute to ecosystem-based management? Annual Review of Marine Science. 2010. 2:419-41.
|
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, policy brief. |
| 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 | Ms Olivia Eadie
Tel: (0131 6)51 4657
Email: Olivia.Eadie@ed.ac.uk |
|
© Copyright 2014 The University of Edinburgh - 12 January 2015 4:31 am
|
University Homepage