Macrophytes constitute keystone species on both rocky shores and in soft sediment systems. As both kelp forests, algal belts and seagrass meadows play critical roles in sustaining coastal biodiversity and supporting commercially important species, it is important to know which factors structure these communities and how they respond to human pressures and global change. By presenting both results from broad scale field surveys as well as results from controlled laboratory and field experiments, we will provide both general and in-depth information about patterns and processes in marine plant ecosystems in coastal waters. A comparative approach in terms of similarities and differences in system structure and function will constitute the basis for the course outline. The obligatory tasks for students are threefold: (1) participation in lectures, (2) article reading and discussion, (3) seminar presentation on an optional topic.

Enrolment: by email to veijor@utu.fi before 10th October 2016.