Residential Field Course
Marine Biologists must be aware that there is no such thing as a standard marine community along an entire coastline. Traditionally held in June, this week-long, residential field course is designed to allow students to make comparisons between the typical animals and plants found on the west and east coasts of the UK.
Visiting the Marine Station on the island of Cumbrae in Scotland, students study the diverse habitats. Typical projects include viewing animals such as Aphrodite aculeata in trawl sample, the creching behaviour of eider ducks, the aggressive behaviour of anemones or examine the effects of thermal pollution on the abundance and diversity of fauna from the Clyde estuary.
The improved visibility of waters, and excellent diving support facilities permit students to carry out diving projects and learn the techniques required for scientific diving studies. Divers also observe animals such as Martasterias glacialis and Alcyonium palmatum, which are rare in the North Sea waters. Examples of diving projects often concern the diet of Asterias rubens in different sites such as beds of Ophiocomina nigra and kelp forests.
All field studies are carried out at various sites on Cumbrae. Students, working in pairs, travel to sites using bicycles, and are visited by their supervisors. This ensures close collaboration in the field, the lab and in the library throughout the week.