Course: Rocky Shores: A Habitat Introduction

Rocky shorelines are home to a remarkable diversity of organisms. This immersive beginner course will be a chance for you to explore life on the rocks and in the pools, encountering many of the species that are characteristic of the UK coastline.

This course will be almost entirely based outside, meaning you’ll have plenty of time to explore and put your newfound knowledge into practice! This is an in-person course taking place in a couple of locations - more information on our website.

This course will include:

• An introduction to rocky shore ecology including identification of major animal groups of the shore. 
• An introduction to using identification guides and keys to identify rocky shore organisms. 

By the end of the course, you will be able to:

• Describe key species of seaweeds and animals and their distribution on the shore.
• Understand how distributions reflect the impact of both abiotic and biotic interactions.
• Explain the differences seen in the seaweed and animal communities of sheltered and exposed shores.
• Use key terms required for use of guides and keys, becoming familiar with species descriptions.
• Understand the principles of a dichotomous key and how they work.
• Correctly identify a brown seaweed to species-level using a Field Studies Council key.
• Correctly identify a gastropod mollusc to species-level using an appropriate key.

This course is eligible for a student discount. If you are a current student, please use discount code BioStudent20 at checkout for 20% off.

Non-resident or resident booking options are available.