2014-2015 Academic Catalog

May 20, 2024

2014-2015 Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

IDCE 30260 - Applied Aquatic Ecology

This course is designed to provide a working understanding of aquatic ecosystems and the complex relationships they have with the surrounding environment -and with human activities. There are three main objectives to the course. The first is to introduce the basic ecological concepts needed to understand the interactions of both the biotic and abiotic factors that determine an aquatic ecosystem’s characteristics. The second is to tie this ecological understanding to the policies applied to aquatic systems by both political and conservation based human organizations. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, the course will provide hands-on experience with several different local aquatic systems, ranging from bogs and wetlands, to streams, rivers and salt marsh-estuaries. During both the field and lab components students will learn basic identification skills for several aquatic taxa, including wetland plants, and freshwater mussels. The course will alternate between indoor lectures/discussions of the primary literature, and outdoor field experiences, so *students should be prepared to get at least their feet wet*! The schedule for field trips is quite flexible, and will change based on weather conditions and hopefully on suggestions you make regarding any favorite local wetland/aquatic places you might want to visit.