Ecology and Physiology of Extreme Marine Ecosystems

An exploration of the ecology of extreme marine ecosystems and the physiology behind the adaptations that allow inhabitants to survive and often thrive there. Marine ecosystems with extreme temperature, pressure, salinity, oxygenation, light, nutrient load, natural chemicals, and anthropogenic pollution will be discussed including polar seas, multiple deep sea and chemosynthetic ecosystems, oligotrophic gyres, oil spills, and superfund sites. Students will gain an understanding how these organisms and ecosystems function, their ecosystem services, threats by a changing ocean, and conservation challenges via lectures, discussions, videos, and primary literature. Taught in Beaufort at the Duke Marine Lab.