FBE 604 Aquatic Ecosystems and Stream Ecology

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course students should be able to:

  1. Understanding the diverse ways that aquatic ecosystems function and factors that shape them.
  2. Understanding the application of ecological principles to the management of aquatic ecosystems including lakes, rivers and watersheds.
  3. Learning the techniques used to quantify key aquatic ecosystem processes, and approaches to studying aquatic ecosystems and their dynamics.

Course Content

Aquatic ecosystem functioning and management, physical processes that shape aquatic ecosystems, foundation of stream ecology, the concepts underlying fluvial ecosystems, stream flow, fluvial geomorphology, stream water chemistry, the abiotic environment of streams, primary producers in aquatic ecosystems, detrital energy sources, trophic relationships, species interactions, lotic communities, nutrient dynamics, human interactions with aquatic ecosystems and impacts, stream ecosystem metabolism, conservation and management of aquatic ecosystems, application of ecological principles in the management of aquatic ecosystems.

Required Reading

  1. Allan D.J and Castillo M.M., 2007. Stream Ecology: Structure and Function of Running water 2nd Ed. Springer. Netherlands 436pp.

Recommended Reading

  1. Groom M.J., Meffe G.K. and Caroll, C.R. 2006. Principles of Conservation Biology. Sinaner Associates, Sunderland 3rd edition.779p
  1. Neil B., Hales D.J., Underwood E., Dinerstein E., Olson D., Schipper I.J. and Newmark R. 2004. Terrestrial Eco-regions of Africa and Madagascar. A Conservation Assessment. Island