812340 Limnology

Type
Lecture and exercise
Semester hours
2
Lecturer (assistant)
Novotny, Christoph , Bondar-Kunze, Elisabeth , Hein, Thomas , Weigelhofer, Gabriele
Organisation
Offered in
Wintersemester 2023/24
Languages of instruction
Englisch
Content

Theory:
Lake ecosystems: Lake types, Vertical and horizontal stratification of abiotic parameters, Mixis, food chains, interaction abiotic parameters and biota, biodiversity, etc.
Stream ecology: Longitudinal, transversal and vertical zonation, hydro-morphology, RCC, food chains
Ecosystem stability and human impacts: Effects of land use, sustainable flood protection, climate change etc. on aquatic ecosystem strucutres and functions
Resources: Limiting factors in lakes and streams, production and respiration, link to trophy and saproby

Field and Lab techniques:
•Measurement of temperature, light and oxygen with electrodes
•Sampling and identification of plankton (phyto- and zooplankton on a high taxonomic level)
•Chlorophyll a measurements
•In-field identification of phytobenthos
•Measurement of current velocity and discharge (Flow Mate)
•Determination of sediment structure and vertical hydraulic water exchange

Experiments on top-down / bottom-up effects of nutrients, organic carbon, sediment strucutre, or predators on phytoplankton growth and benthic respiration: Understanding the linkage between abiotic and biotic parameters and ecosystem processes
Previous knowledge expected

no further requirements.
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

After successful completion of this module, participants are able to:
•Analyse fundamental properties of lakes and river ecosystems;
•Apply knowledge and skills to plan and carry-out simple research investigations for analysing the interactions between organisms and the environment;
•Interpret and present research results in oral and written form (manuscript);
•Understand and evaluate the impcat of environmental factors, climate change and humans on lake and stream ecosystems.

This will be achieved with group work, encompassing both theory and practical exercises.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.