Coastal Ecology Module_ASBPA_2017

This is a six module course, the slides of which were created to teach a Coastal Biology and Ecology Short Course as part of ASBPA (American Shore and Beach Preservation Association) Coastal Practitioner's Program; the course was taught at the 2017 National Conference October 2017 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. An outline was provided by the organization, and authors Bianca Carbonneau and Elsemarie deVries Mullins created the slides to cover the topics requested and flesh out all content. The topics covered include ecological concepts, estuarine processes, endangered species, marine habitats and communities, and public interest resources. Citations to references and links are included in the presentations. Tests exist for each module and can be sent up on email request. Below is the formal description of the short course:

This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of ecology and biology relevant for understanding how ecosystems function. The over-arching ecological concepts framing the course will be applicable to many ecosystems, but the course content will provide up-to-date science for those interested in coastal resources, ecosystems and their services, and management. Practitioners taking this module will come away with an understanding of how coastal ecosystems (from marshes to barrier islands to estuaries) function and how human actions affect their ability to flourish and stabilize our vulnerable coasts.