AFI-51306 Seaweed in Multi-use Combinations, an Innovative Challenge

Course

Credits 6.00

Contents:

This course aims to integrate all aspects of seaweed production in the marine environment, including the sustainability challenges and possible combinations of seaweed with other marine ecosystem services. It therefore aims to:
- explore opportunities, challenges and innovations in the design for of seaweed production in combination with other ecosystem services, including enhancement of local biodiversity;
- develop insights in the necessary integrated transdisciplinary approach and the roles of stakeholders in the design of sustainable multi-purpose off-shore platform plans;
- examine synergies to be achieved in multi-use platforms, and how these synergies can be capitalized;
- extrapolate the technical and sustainability challenges for developing other economic activities at sea;
- explore sustainable use of natural resources (provisioning services) (Integrated multi-trophic Aquaculture (IMTA);
- minimize negative effects on the ecosystem ( including biodiversity).

Learning outcomes:

After successful completion of this course students are expected to be able to:
- understand how the seaweed chain can be developed in an ecologically and economically sustainable way, and what value creation innovations are possible and needed within the whole chain (such as biorefinery challenges, as well as other product innovations for the market);
- understand the challenges to combine seaweed production with other forms of economic activities at sea;
- understand the sustainability challenges involved in sea weed production and value creation;
- integrate and use knowledge and skills of the mentioned disciplines in specific cases of seaweed production and societal, economic and ecological value creation.

Activities:

Attending lectures, studying scientific papers and writing a comment; case study in group with design activities; tutorial on design criteria and nutrient balances.

Examination:

Written test with open essay questions (50%, minimum mark 5.5).
Individual written comment on scientific paper (15%, minimum mark 5.5).
Assessment of case study, group work (35%; presentation and discussion counts for 1/5-th, case study report counts for 4/5-th). Details in Course Guide.

Literature:

Syllabus-reader.;