Syllabus
1: INTRO TO STREAM ECOSYSTEMS - why study streams? - fluvial geomorphology - spatial scales of investigation - the River Continuum Concept and other models 2: HYDROLOGY - the hydrologic cycle - streamflow generation - interpreting hydrographs - measuring discharge - suspended material transport 3: THE ABIOTIC ENVIRONMENT - special properties of water - temperature - light - pH - dissolved gasses and solids - the carbonate buffering system 4: NUTRIENTS - redox - minor nutrients - sources and cycles of Si, P, N - introduction to carbon - nutrient spiraling 5: PRIMARY PRODUCTION - photosynthesis - algal diversity and growth forms - macrophytes - environmental controls 6: ORGANIC MATTER - respiration - mechanical litter breakdown - biofilms and bacterioplankton - stream metabolism 7: HYPORHEIC AND RIPARIAN ZONES - physical and chemical characteristics - methods for observation - ecological relevance - flora and fauna 8: STREAM CONSUMERS - macroinvertebrate diversity and life history - functional feeding groups - drift - fish guilds and ecomorphology - ecological roles and longitudinal patterns 9: SPECIES INTERACTIONS - classic studies of competition, herbivory, predation, facilitation, and parasitism in streams 10: STREAM COMMUNITIES - types and drivers of diversity - disturbance and succession - trophic cascades and foodwebs - ecosystem engineers and keystone species 11: STREAMS OF THE ANTHROPOCENE - physical alterations - invasive and non-native species - contaminants - overexploitation - climate change 12: MANAGEMENT AND MONITORING - ecosystem services - common management and restoration practices - techniques for monitoring
Annotation
The aim of this course is to provide students with the theoretical base needed to pursue independent ecological investigations of stream environments. Lectures will loosely follow material from Stream Ecology, by David Allan and Maria Castillo, as well as incorporate research experience from the lecturer.
While no prerequisites are required for enrollment, a basic knowledge of chemistry, biology, and ecology will be useful. The course will run for 12 weeks, and lectures will be in English.
Students will be evaluated by their participation in class, a final exam, and several activities distributed throughout the semester.