Maricopa Community Colleges  BIO149AJ   20016-20086 
Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 07/22/08
BIO149AJ 20016-20086 LAB 2 Credit(s) 14 Period(s)
Field Biology: Coral Reef Biology
Introduction to coral reef environments and ecology, including natural history of coral reef organisms. Fourteen- day field experience. Emphasis on live coral reef organisms in natural habitat through daily snorkeling trips. May be repeated for a total of six (6) credit hours.
Prerequisites: Permission of Instructor.
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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:
 
BIO149AJ   20016-20086 Field Biology: Coral Reef Biology
1. Participate safely in field experiences without disturbing the environment. (I)
2. Describe the physical features of the sea, islands, and surrounding land masses. (II)
3. Distinguish between the habitats associated with coral reefs in the field. (III)
4. Describe processes which have contributed to the formation of the coral reef and associated habitats. (III)
5. Relate the structure of the marine organisms unique to coral reefs and their adaptations to the physical environment. (IV)
6. Predict the distribution of coral reef organisms depending on environmental conditions. (IV)
7. Differentiate types of interactions between coral reef organisms in the field. (IV)
8. Describe and distinguish among types of coral reef communities. (IV)
9. Diagram food webs for selected locations on the coral reef. (IV)
10. Describe the biological role of selected marine organisms in the coral reef environment. (V)
11. Identify coral reef organisms in the field. (V)
12. Utilize a taxonomic key to identify selected coral reef organisms. (V)
13. Classify living coral reef organisms into systematic groups. (V)
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MCCCD Official Course Outline:
 
BIO149AJ   20016-20086 Field Biology: Coral Reef Biology
    I. Introduction and Requirements
        A. Ecologically compatible methods of study B Logistics of the trip and field trip etiquette
          1. Snorkeling
            a. Equipment
            b. Physiology
            c. Safety precautions 2 Diver safety
        C. Venomous animals of the reef
          1. Urchins
          2. Fire Coral
          3. Cubozoa
          4. Hydroids
      II. Physical Features
          A. Geology
            1. Sea
            2. Islands
            3. Land masses
          B. Climate
          C. Oceanography
        III. Coral Reefs
            A. Overview of habitats
            B. Types of reefs
            C. Reef formation and distribution
          IV. Coral Reef Ecology
              A. Adaptations to the physical environment
                1. Temperature
                2. Light
                3. Salinities
                4. Wave action
              B. Distribution of organisms
                1. Habitats and Microhabitats
                2. Indicator organisms
                3. Zonation of coral reefs
                  a. General features
                  b. Dominant organisms
                4. Seasonality
              C. Interactions between organisms
                1. Competition
                2. Symbiosis
                3. Parasitism
                4. Predation
                5. Recruitment and reproduction
              D. Community ecology
                1. Types of Communities
                  a. Plankton
                  b. Nekton
                  c. Benthos
                2. Food webs
                3. Diversity
                4. Succession
            V. Systematics and Natural History of Coral Reef Organisms
                A. Corals and their relatives
                  1. General Biology
                  2. Identification using taxonomic keys
                  3. Classification and Systematics
                B. Invertebrates Associate with Corals
                  1. General Biology
                  2. Identification using taxonomic keys
                  3. Classification and Systematics
                C. Fishes of the Coral Reef
                  1. General Biology
                  2. Identification using taxonomic keys
                  3. Classification and Systematics
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