812007 Hydrobiology (for environmental pedagogy)

Type
Exercise course
Semester hours
2
Lecturer (assistant)
Organisation
Offered in
Sommersemester 2023
Languages of instruction
Deutsch
Content

We will combine experiments in the field and the laboratory with quantitative measurement and sampling methods to study the interactions between land use, nutrient loading, stream regulation and selected organisms of streams and ponds/lakes.
We will study the functional aspects of running waters and its ecological state by comparing different stream reaches. In the field, we will measure the stream structure and discharge, sample stream organisms, and determine water chemistry, retention potential and the ecological state of the stream on the basis of saprobiological, chemical and hydro-morphological characteristics. In a pond, we will sample organisms (including plankton) and will look at the zonation of standing waters.
In the lab, we will identify frequent aquatic organisms and will learn about adaptation mechanism as regards nutrition, life cycles, breathing, and resistance to water current. Simple experiments, which are suited for school classes (production, respiration, and feeding experiments), will complete the course.
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

The students will improve their theoretical knowledge about aquatic systems from the lecture “Hydrobiology I (LV 812104)” through exercises in the field and the laboratory and gain an insight into the complex interactions between biota and abiotic factors in running and standing waters.
The students will be able to identify basic ecological interrelations in aquatic ecosystems and link the ecological state of the stream to its structure and function. They will understand adaption mechanisms of organisms to abiotic factors and will be able to identify most frequent aquatic organisms.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.