Introduction to Marine Conservation Biology

Dynamic and interconnected marine systems cover about 70% of the earth's surface. Marine and coastal systems are vital to many ecological processes necessary for general life and human well being, including food provisioning, climate regulation, and the freshwater cycle. This module serves as an introduction to the aspects of marine biology concerning conservation. An overview is provided of marine biodiversity and physical oceanography, as well as major marine ecosystems and marine ecology. Sections focus on topics specifically relevant to conservation, namely resource use, threats, and management strategies. The synthesis is accompanied by exercises and recommended resources for understanding marine systems, applying mathematical tools and designing research projects for marine conservation.