OVERVIEW

The pelagic environment refers to open seas and oceans, away from the coast and seabed, is one of the main environments of marine ecosystems, including all open waters. It is a very large and dynamic environment, with light, temperature and salinity conditions that can vary greatly depending on depth and geographical location. The pelagic ecosystem is fundamental for the health of the oceans and our planet and hosts a great variety of organisms, from plankton to sharks and cetaceans, the large pelagics. These species play a key role as apex predators, contributing greatly to the maintenance of the entire ecosystem in equilibrium, from surface waters to the deep sea.

AIMS AND CONTENT

LEARNING OUTCOMES

The module on Biology and Ecology of the Large Pelagic Species aims to provide students with fundamental knowledge and a general overview of the biological and physiological characteristics of top predators, from sharks to large bony fishes such as tuna and swordfish, and marine mammals. The topics will be addressed in a way that allows understanding of the ecology and trophic strategies of individual species, considering them as part of a single ecosystem, highlighting the complexity of the environment in which they live and the intricate trophic relationships that regulate their coexistence.

AIMS AND LEARNING OUTCOMES

Attendance and participation in the planned educational activities will enable students to acquire skills related to the pelagic environment, mainly of the Mediterranean basin, and its oceanographic characteristics, which form the basis of the food web supporting large pelagic predators. The ultimate goal of the course is to explain how to integrate all available information to build a complete and cohesive picture of the pelagic ecosystem through an understanding of the biological and ecological features of different species.

Specifically, students will be able to deepen their knowledge beyond the superficial layers of the sea, including the mesopelagic and bathypelagic zones—two environments characterized by high biodiversity, much of which is still to be studied and explored. Additionally, they will acquire cognitive tools that can facilitate understanding of the dynamics of the pelagic ecosystem, in terms of the balance between the impact of human activities, resource exploitation through fishing, and the conservation of marine organisms and their ecosystem.

PREREQUISITES

There are no specific requirements.

TEACHING METHODS

The course consists of lectures. The classroom lectures are delivered through multimedia presentations.

Attendance at classes is strongly recommended.

The way lessons are taught may be modified due to emergencies that prevent in-person lessons from being held. In this case, classes will be held via the Teams platform using suitable substitute teaching tools.

SYLLABUS/CONTENT

1) Oceanographic characteristics of the oceans, with particular attention to the Mediterranean; formation of different water masses, their movement, and their influence on the dynamics and trophic features of the system; basic trophic levels of the food web.

2) Description of the biodiversity characterizing the pelagic environment through in-depth studies of key ecosystem groups such as krill, cephalopods, and mesopelagic fishes.

3) Detailed description of the biology and ecology of the main groups of large pelagic species:

a) Elasmobranchs and pelagic sharks, including biology, ecology, and conservation issues for all species present in the Mediterranean.

b) Large pelagic fish targeted by fisheries: tuna and tunids, swordfish, and bottom-dwelling amberjack, including their characteristics and stock management measures.

c) Marine turtles: species present, distribution, ecology, and nesting behavior.

d) Cetaceans: general information on their biology and descriptions of the ecological characteristics of the 8 cetacean species that regularly inhabit the Mediterranean.

4) In-depth focus on the main physiological features and peculiarities of certain species that help understand their feeding behavior and their role within the ecosystem.

5) Interactions between the ecosystem and human activities (such as shipping, pollution, and fishing), and the needs for conservation of specific faunal groups and resource management for fisheries and the entire ecosystem.

6) Brief mention of the Pelagos Sanctuary for Cetaceans in the Ligurian Sea and related issues.

RECOMMENDED READING/BIBLIOGRAPHY

All slides used during the lessons and other educational materials will be available on AulaWeb at the end of each teaching cycle.

LESSONS

LESSONS START

For lessons start and timetable visit:  https://easyacademy.unige.it/portalestudenti/

Class schedule

The timetable for this course is available here: Portale EasyAcademy

EXAMS

EXAM DESCRIPTION

The exam consists of a final oral test aimed at assessing the student's knowledge of the fundamental elements of the subject.

ASSESSMENT METHODS

Details on how to prepare for the exam and the level of depth required for each topic will be provided during the lessons. The exam will cover the topics discussed during the classes and aims not only to evaluate whether the student has achieved an adequate level of knowledge but also to demonstrate their ability to connect and synthesize the topics in a coherent manner.

FURTHER INFORMATION

Students who have valid certification of physical or learning disabilities on file with the University and who wish to discuss possible accommodations or other circumstances regarding lectures, coursework and exams, should speak both with the instructor and with Professor Sara Ferrando (sara.ferrando@unige.it), the Department’s disability liaison.