ForBio and the ArtsDatabanken project "Biodiversity within the Marine Algae Belt" invite applicants to "Faunal Biodiversity within the Marine Algae Belt". The course is hosted by Torsten Struck (Natural History Museum, University of Oslo) and Sonja Leidenberger (University of Skøvde) and will be held at the Marine Research Station Drøbak of the University of Oslo.
Course scope
The marine algae belt comprising kelp forests and rocky reefs with coralline red seaweeds and together with seagrass meadows is one of the most active primary producing environments in the sea. It also harbors a great diversity of animals including sea squirts, ribbon worms, nick worms, serpulid worms, spionid worms and ghost shrimps. The species of these groups have important ecological functions as herbivores, predators and filter-feeding organisms and can be sessile or agile as well as solitary or colonial. Globally these taxa comprise more than 7,000 species with around 250 species documented from Norwegian waters.
The aim of this course to provide training in these different taxonomic groups (Tunicata, Nemertea, Annelida (especially Serpulidae, Spionidae), Amphipoda (especially Caprellidae) and Entoprocta) and provide an overview of the diversity in Northern Europe. In the course, we will have lectures on theoretical topics of each taxon such the taxonomy, life history, and morphology, but mostly also practical training. We will experience how to sample these organisms in the field, extract and preserve them for further investigations in the lab and especially how to identify them morphologically. The course will also teach how to properly document the specimens found and identified in the field. If you are interested in snorkeling, the course provides an option to do this as well for collecting.
During the course the students will learn about:
- Selected animal taxa occurring in marine algae and seagrass meadows.
- Species identification in these animal taxa.
- Collection of material at shallow sublittoral habitats of rocky shores and in bays, which are not easily accessible for sampling with ships.
- Methods used for species identification and biodiversity assessment
Course venue
The location of the Marine Research Station Drøbak in the Oslofjord will provide access to a diverse marine macroaglal communities. The station has laboratory facilities with stereomicroscopes and simple accommodation (shared rooms and common kitchen facilities).
Sampling will include snorkeling, a number of sets of snorkel gear are available for the students, however students are encouraged to bring their own gear if available.
Teachers
Torsten Struck, University of Oslo
Sonja Leidenberger, University of Skøvde
Ana Teresa Capucho, University of Oslo
Matz Berggren, University of Gothenborg
Thomas Stach, University of Berlin
Joern von Doehren, University of Bonn
Quota
Min 5, max 12 students. Participants will be selected based on the registration form, which includes a paragraph for motivation and importance of the course for your study/work.
Participating students should indicate in the application form if they are able to snorkel during the field work.
Course fee
There is no course fee required from ForBio members or associates. Find out about how to become a ForBio member/associate here.
Financial support
ForBio members from Norway are supported in full, including travel. Accommodation (shared) and food is covered for all course participants who are registered as ForBio members or associates.
Local logistics
All students are expected to arrive on August 24th, arrival on August 25th is possible if before the course start (09:00 am). Departure on August 30th before noon.
Language
English
Please apply for the course here
Application deadline: June 1st, 2023
Assignment and credits
The course is equivalent to 3 ECTS (includes full attendance, preparatory activities, and assignment). ForBio will provide certificates for those successfully completed the course assignment.
Contact Torsten Struck (t.h.struck@nhm.uio.no) for course content or Nataliya Budaeva (nataliya.budaeva@uib.no) for logistics and practical arrangements