Ecology and Conservation of Kelp Forest Communities

(Graduate students register for 285H.) This is an experiential field course on the ecology of giant kelp forests. Through daily scuba dives, lectures, and labs, students become acquainted with the common invertebrates, fishes, and seaweeds and how their interactions shape the community. The course has three major components: scientific dive training, natural history, and ecology. In the first portion of the course, students learn how to do science underwater and upon completion of the course, will be certified to conduct scientific diving at Hopkins Marine Station in accordance with the standards set by the American Academy of Underwater Scientists. Topics include best practices for water safety, rescue methods, navigation and mapping, and data collection techniques. The second portion of the course concentrates on how to recognize the common species, how to identify them if you don't know who they are, and to learn where they can be found. Third, once students are familiar with the basic biology of kelp forest inhabitants, we use that as a springboard to discuss population and community processes that affect both obvious and more subtle differences in patterns of distribution and abundance that can be seen in different kelp forests around the Monterey peninsula. We will practice commonly used methods for conducting quantitative surveys of abundance and population structure for a variety of species. The data we collect during the course contribute to on-going time series for the Hopkins Marine Life Observatory, some of which have been going on for nearly 25 years. Course times reflect lecture only; course is a full-time commitment from June 26-July 28.