Environmental Change and Marine Biodiversity

In this course we will study marine biodiversity and the impacts of environmental change on ocean life and marine ecosystems. Students will first study fundamental aspects of physiology, ecology, and evolution in marine animals and plants. Then, students will apply these principles to understand the consequences of environmental change on the functioning of organisms and ecosystems. Through tidepooling, snorkeling, and boating in the living laboratory of the Monterey coast, students will be immersed in the richness and complexity of marine food webs. By contributing to and analyzing historical time series, students will develop an integrative view of the past and future of ocean ecosystems, forming an evidence-based understanding of the consequences of recent anthropogenic influences on ocean biodiversity and associated ecosystem services.