Introduction to the Science of Coral Reefs

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Introduction to the Science of Coral Reef is a professional compulsory course for undergraduates majoring in marine science at the School of Marine Science, Guangxi University. This course is the first coral reef characteristic course offered in the country, and the School of Marine Science, Guangxi University is the only school in China to offer this course.

Our course is a comprehensive and systematic introduction to coral reefs, including its basic concepts, biology and ecology, geology and geomorphology, coral reef development process and its relationship with the marine environment, coral reef response and recording of environmental changes, and others, such as coral reef groundwater resources, island and reef engineering, coral reef protection and management, coral reef ecological restoration, etc.

Our purpose is to keep abreast of the frontiers and latest developments in the development of the discipline, and to cultivate talents and promote the development of the discipline for the coral reef discipline.

Coral reef ecosystems are one of the most important ecosystems on earth, and we urgently need professionals in coral reef disciplines to serve coral reef protection and island defense construction.

At the same time, I hope that the students will popularize the knowledge they have learned to the public, so that more people can understand and protect coral reefs.

Syllabus

Introduction-Responses and Adaptations of South China Sea Corals to Global Changes

Lesson 1 Introduction

1.0 Introduction
1.1 The Definition and Types of Coral Reefs
1.2 Corals and Their Living Environment
1.3 Status and Protection of Coral Reefs
1.4 Coral Reef Research at the School of Marine Science, Guangxi University

Lesson 2 Coral Reef Formation, Evolution and Geomorphology

2.1 Observing Coral Reefs from Space (Remote Sensing)
2.2 The Theory of Coral Reef Formation
2.3 Atoll Geomorphology and Modern Sedimentation
2.4 Gray Sand Islands Geomorphology and Modern Sedimentation

Lesson 3 Coral Reef Ecosystem

3.1 The Characteristics, Biodiversity and Ecological Functions of Coral Reef Ecosystems
3.2 Benthic Algae in Coral Reef Ecosystem
3.3 Benthic Animals in Coral Reef Ecosystem
3.4 The Coral’s Natural Enemy-the Crown-of-Thorns Starfish(COTS)
3.5 Symbiotic Microorganisms in Corals
3.6 The Services and Value of Coral Ecosystems

Lesson 4 Coral Bleaching and Recovery

4.1 Coral Bleaching
4.2 Coral Recovery from Thermal Bleaching
4.3 Coral Diseases

Lesson 5 Marine Environment and Its Ecological Effects in Coral Reef Area

5.1 Marine Environment and Its Ecological Effects in Coral Reef Area
5.2 Carbon Cycle in Coral Reef Area
5.3 Nitrogen Cycle in Coral Reef Area
5.4 Heavy Metals in Coral Reef Area
5.5 Organic Pollutants in Coral Reef Area

Lesson 6 Coral Records of Marine Environmental Changes

6.0 Hermatypic Corals - Porites
6.1 Skeletal Growth Rate, Density and Calcification Rate of Corals
6.2 High-resolution Environmental Changes Recorded by Coral Skeleton Sr/Ca
6.3 High-resolution Environmental Changes Recorded by Coral Skeleton δ18O
6.4 High-resolution Environmental Changes Recorded by Coral Skeleton δ13C
6.5 Environmental Significance of Other Geochemical Indicators in Coral Skeletons

Lesson 7 The Diagenesis of Coral Reefs

7.1 The Diagenesis of Coral Reefs
7.2 Synsedimentary Marine Diagenetic Environment
7.3 Meteoric Diagenetic Environment
7.4 Burial Diagenetic Environment
7.5 Dolomitization Process

Lesson 8 Environmental Record of Rare Earth Elements in Corals

8.1 Environmental Record of Rare Earth Elements in Corals
8.2 Geochemical Cycling of Marine Rare Earth Elements
8.3 Applications of Coral Rare Earth Element Environmental Records
8.4 Outlook of Coral Rare Earth Element Environmental Records

Lesson 9 Geomorphic Changes of Coral Reefs and Lime-Sand Islands

9.1 Geomorphic Changes of Coral Reefs and Lime-Sand Islands
9.2 Method for Monitoring Coral Reef Geomorphological Changes Using Remote Sensing and Its Effectiveness
9.3 Dynamic Monitoring of Typical Atolls in the South China Sea
9.4 Dynamic Monitoring of Lime-Sand Islands and Corresponding Vegetation Areas in the South China Sea
9.5 Causes of Geomorphological Changes in Coral Reefs and Lime-Sand Islands in the South China Sea and Their Future Development
9.6 Summary