Unit details

OCEN4005 The Indian Ocean Environment

Credit

6 points

Offering

Availability	Location	Mode
Not available in 2020	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Content

This unit provides an overview of the dynamic processes governing the structure and function of marine ecosystems, with a particular focus on applications from the Indian Ocean. The unit introduces key concepts in physical, chemical, biological and geological ocean systems to explore—
• the geological formation and climate history of the Indian Ocean and its modern environmental characteristics;
• the role of weather and climate variability in driving regional ocean processes;
• the dynamics of ocean circulation and waves within the Indian Ocean;
• the diversity of marine habitats and species across the Indian Ocean, focusing on biodiversity and drivers of distribution and abundance;
• how physical ocean processes shape marine ecosystems along the Indian Ocean rim; and
• the influence on climate change on the physical, chemical and biological oceanography of the Indian Ocean and future projections.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) demonstrate a knowledge of how the Indian Ocean has formed and its climate history, including the processes that have led to its modern environmental conditions; (2) identify how weather systems and climate cycles drive ocean processes through atmosphere–ocean coupling; (3) demonstrate an awareness of the regional ocean circulation patterns and wave conditions along the Indian Ocean rim, and assess the dominant physical drivers responsible; (4) demonstrate an understanding of the major marine habitats, ecosystems and species in the Indian Ocean, and link oceanic physical and chemical processes to the uniqueness and diversity of marine biota; (5) demonstrate an awareness of the major biogeochemical cycles in the ocean than shape marine ecosystems, and how these vary across the Indian Ocean; and (6) identify how climate change has altered modern ocean conditions across the Indian Ocean and the future projections and impacts.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) in-class exercises; (2) two field/laboratory reports; and (3) final project. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Supplementary assessment is only available in this unit in the case of a student who has obtained a mark of 45 to 49 and is currently enrolled in this unit, and it is the only remaining unit that the student must pass in order to complete their course.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Professor Ryan Lowe

Unit Outline

Non-standard teaching period [TS-H-1E_2019]