812347 Human impacts in riverine landscapes

Type
Lecture
Semester hours
1.5
Lecturer (assistant)
Greimel, Franz , Hayes, Daniel S. , Schmutz, Stefan
Organisation
Offered in
Wintersemester 2023/24
Languages of instruction
Englisch
Content

The lecture covers the following topics in applied fish ecology:

- Discussion of impact models (e.g. drivers and pressures - DPSIR, cascade models)
- Overview of the status quo of running waters (global, EU/Alps, Austria)
- Overview of major human pressures/related impacts
- Discussion of different types of human impacts
- Discussion of case studies

TOPICS OF LECTURES

#1 - Introduction

#2 - Impacts due to hydro-power production (Hydro-power use: run-of-river-/diversion-/storage power plants)

#3 - Residual flow/water abstraction (minimum flow requirements)

#4 - Hydropeaking (magnitude, frequency, duration, effects on hydro-morphology)

#5 - Impoundments & reservoir flushing (flow patterns, sediment transport etc.)

#6 - Morphological impacts (effects on physical environment, riverine habitats, floodplains, vegetation/land-use etc.)

#7 - Land use change (forms of land use, nutrients etc.)

#8 - Organic impacts (organic pollution, toxic substances etc.)

#9 - Multiple impacts (interactions of pressures etc.)
Previous knowledge expected

Basic knowledge in hydrobiology & fish ecology
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

1. Get an overview of fish-ecological conditions in Austrian & European rivers.
2. Evaluate the impacts of human activities on running waters.
3. Lern and discuss methods for assessing and improving ecological integrity.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.