2000/2001 Dr L. Ramsden
Plant Aquaculture
Course Outline
2000/2001 Dr L. Ramsden
Plant Aquaculture
This course is given jointly by the Departments of Botany and Zoology. There are 24 lectures and the first eight will be on Plant Aquaculture by Dr. Ramsden. The remaining lectures will be given by Dr. S.M. Chan & Dr. A.O.L.Wong from Zoology. There are 6 practical sessions which will be held in KBSB Lab B on Thursdays starting at 2 pm. The first 2 practicals on 1/3 & 8/3 will be given by Dr Chan, the next two by Dr. Ramsden. Note that one of these practical sessions will not be held but will be replaced by a field trip organised during the reading Week. The last two practicals will be given by Dr. Wong.
This series of eight lectures aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to all aspects of the cultivation and utilisation of plants in water. A major focus will be on the marine macroalge, or seaweeds which are of considerable commercial importance. We will look at the seaweeds, their diversity and distribution. The polysaccharides that they synthesise, how these are extracted and their industrial applications. Commercial mariculture systems for intensive production of seaweed. The microalage are also expoloited for the production of both biomass and secondary, metabolites and a variety of culture systems are used which will be examined. Finally we will visit the interesting range of vascular aquatic plant crops which are of particular significance in Asia.
None of these are essential reading. The notes and lecture materials I supply are quite sufficient for most purposes. There is also no one text-book that appropriately covers this material as they are either on seaweed biology, farming or polysaccharides and not all together. So this is a comprehensive list of what is available NOT suggestions for reading!
Reserved
Seaweeds and their Uses, V.J. Chapman (1980) 3rd Ed, Reserve Book Room, 589 392 C4, Though now a bit old this is still the most useful general text available. Try to get a look at it to support the material provided.
Cultivation & Farming of Marine Plants (1998)CD-ROM AV 639.89 C96, This is more useful if you are looking at specific information related to species, as you can look up the species and then link to all related material on Biology and cultivation.
Case Studies of Seven Commercial Seaweed Resources (1987) FAO Fisheries Technical Paper 281 XLB 589.45 I61 S11. Very useful if you want to look at a particular example but don't try and read through it. Has lots of pictures.
Polysaccharides
Thickening & Gelling Agents for Food, (1992) A. Imeson, chapters 1 & 2 only. 664.06 T4, A useful account of the more detailed aspects of the main applications for seaweed polysaccharides in the food industry, and how the structure of the polysaccharides relates to their functional properties.
Seaweed Biology
Biology of Economic Algae (1994) I. Akatsuka, 579.8 B61. A thorough and comprehensive study of research on this topic but far too detailed for you too spend time on.
Seaweed Ecology & Physiology, C.S. Lobban & P.J. Harrison (1994). 589.45041 L7 s Excellent book on seaweed Biology if you become interested in this area but not very relevant to this course!
The Sea Shore Ecology of Hong Kong, B. Morton & J. Morton (1983). 574.52638 M8, A must if you develop an interest in the local seaweeds and seashore but not really relevant to this course!
Underwater Pictures with some of seaweed taken by Prof. Ko from Engineering, worth having a look at for fun so give it a click.
Seaweed Mariculture
Outdoor Cultivation of Sea Vegetables. Plant & Soil v.89 (1985) pp159-183. Readable background on cultivation.
Seaweed Cultivation for Renewable Resources (1987) K.T.Bird & P.H.Benson, 639.09162 B6. Some interesting history of the development of the modern seaweed industry and a lot of detail on farming systems which is a bit boring except for the specialist!