Freshwater Biology and Ecology

Pre-requisites for enrolment

No previous knowledge required.

Content of Course

1. The water cycle. A description of the movement and constituents of freshwater around the globe. Habitat types. What constitutes a river, lake or estuary?

2. Life in Freshwater. A description of some representatives from the huge diversity of life in freshwater from the micro to macroscopic. Introduction to trophic groupings and aquatic life cycles.

3. Rivers: Physical factors and extremes that shape both the land and biology. Examples of adaptation in physiology and anatomy. Habitat differentiation and ecological niches.

4. Estuaries: An interface between marine and freshwater environments. Examples of adaptations to fluctuating environment. Community structure and succession.

5. Lakes and ponds: Description of environments across the globe. Habitat differentiation and ecological niches including the cichlids of lake Malawi.

6. Wetlands. Importance with respect to flood prevention, climate change, CO2 burial and biodiversity.

7. Human impacts: Water usage and challenges to river continuity (dams etc).Impacts on biology and implications for survival.

8. Invasive species and effect on freshwater ecosystems. Such as Nile perch, Signal crayfish, Japanese knotweed and Himalayan balsam.

9. Changing climate, human population growth and the threats these pose to freshwater environments.

10. Summary of key points and conclusions.

Teaching method(s)

The course will be taught over 10 classes. Classes will be lecture based with group work and discussions. In class observation of a selection of live freshwater animals.

Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Describe the various characteristics of freshwater habitats; including habitat classification, the water cycle and basic water chemistry;

• Recognise some of the key biological players in these habitats, their adaptations for survival and their relationship in the ecological framework;

• To be aware of the environmental threats facing freshwaters and the consequences that these have on the global environment.

Sources

Core Readings

Essential:

No single textbook cover all course material. Class handouts with lecture notes and diagrams covering key outcomes and a glossary will be provided.

Recommended:

• Moss, B., 1998. Ecology of fresh waters. 3rd Ed. Blackwell Scientific.

• Brönmark, C. and Hansson L-A. 1998. The biology of lakes and ponds. Oxford University Press.

• Giller, P. S. and Malmqvist, B. 1998. The biology of streams and rivers. Oxford university press.

Web Sources

http://www.freshwaterecology.info
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/habitats

 

Class Handouts

Handouts will be provided.

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email COL@ed.ac.uk or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.