COURSE SYLLABUS: COASTAL and MARINE BOTANY

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DESCRIPTION: An overview, including local examples, of the principal groups
of marine microalgae, macroalgae, and submerged aquatic and emergent
marine flowering plants, with a primary focus on their identification and
ecology. The lecture and fieldwork for this course are interlaced so that,
following the lecture material, field examination of the algae and plants are
made.
Field trips in the vicinity of Mississippi; Sound and to the barrier islands are
made to observe algae and aquatic/emergent vegetation, the ecological
relationships of these flora, and for collecting material for study in the
laboratory. Students will present and write a selected research paper, in
addition a short presentation of 12-15 minutes is required.

References: Marine Botany, by Clinton J. Dawes, 2 ed, 496 pp., John Wiley &
nd

Sons, Inc., ISBN:0471192082, January 1998.

COURSE OBJECTIVES: To familiarize students with the diversity of marine

and estuarine microalgae, macroalgae, and submerged and emergent
vascular plants, and their distribution, classification, identification, and
ecology. In addition, students will learn about the ecological roles of locally
occurring marine and estuarine microalgae, macroalgae, submerged aquatic
vegetation, and common marsh and dune angiosperms. This course is
designed for students interested in the fields of marine biology, marine botany,
and for students pursuing a marine biology degree or a degree in a related
field with an emphasis in coastal sciences, marine science or marine biology.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND GRADING: Students will be graded on

the basis of their performance on two examinations (30% for in class mid-term
and 30% for take-home final examination), class participation (10%), and a
short research paper to be accompanied by a 10-15 min presentation at the
end of semester (30%).
COURSE OUTLINE –COASTAL and MARINE BOTANY
COURSE TOPICS: The primary subject areas to be covered in this course are
listed below. Other current topics may be added at the instructor's discretion.
Marine and estuarine microalgae, macroalgae, submerged aquatic vascular
plants, and emergent salt marsh and dune vegetation will be examined with
respect to identification, distribution, classification, and ecological
relationships, plus other key features. Lecture material may be presented
earlier or later than scheduled to accommodate any field trips that can be
arranged throughout the semester. These are weather- and boat dependent;
your cooperation and understanding with schedule changes is appreciated!

Topic(s)
 History of classification and classificatory units.
 Criteria for distinguishing botanical divisions and classes; dichotomous
keys, their preparation and use

 Wetlands
o (Inland / Freshwater- lakes, freshwater swamps,marshes, rivers,
natural pools, streams, peatlands
o Human-Made – reservoirs and dams/water storage areas ,
fishponds, saltpans,wastewater ponds and rice paddies
o Coastal /Marine- coral reefs, seagrass beds, salt
marshes,estuaries, tidal flats, lagoons and mangrove areas
 Wetlands: ecology and physiological adaptations
 Marine and estuarine submerged aquatic vascular plants
(Helobiae)Seagrasses: morphology, occurrence, and importance
 Marine and estuarine macroalgae: Green algae (Chlorophyta), Coral
Reef macroalgae and eutrophication processes.
 Macroalgae: Marine and estuarine macroalgae: Red algae
(Rhodophyta),
 Brown algae (Heterokontophyta; Phaeophyceae)
 Marine and estuarine microalgae: Blue-green algae
(Cyanophyta)/Flagellates(Chlorophyta). Harmful algal blooms (HABs)
 Marine and estuarine microalgae: Dinoflagellates (Dinophyta)and
Diatoms (Bacillariophyceae). Oceanic food webs and deep sea
sediments.
 Photosynthesis of marine plants, underwater light field and water
quality.