Freshwater Ecology

Taught By:

Lakes, rivers, and streams are some of the most threatened ecosystems on Earth, and they provide critical ecosystem services: providing food and freshwater, regulating climate, and detoxifying pollutants. In this course, we will examine inland waters as ecological systems that interact with their drainage basins and the atmosphere. We will also explore how physical, chemical, and biological processes operate and influence the organisms found within each ecosystem. Case studies of real-world problems will be used to assess the effects of anthropogenic changes on inland waters and watersheds.

Students will study streams on campus, learning how to characterize streams and study parameters like pH, dissolved oxygen, sediment concentrations, nutrients, primary production, discharge, etc. We will meet for class early during the 5^th week of class (at 3 pm) to measure water quality, primary production, sediment concentrations, and discharge in our local streams. Students will also do some lab work to support their field work throughout the quarter. Students will write a research paper using primary literature and will write up reports based on their on-campus research.

In-Person Class Format: This course is offered fully in-person. Students should expect to attend in-person for all class periods. We cannot promise to offer remote attendance options due to illness or other absences. Students should strategize methods for getting notes from class when attendance is not possible.

Class Schedule: Wednesday nights, 6:00 pm-10:00 pm, PST

Early Start Schedule for Wednesday of Week 5 at 3:00 pm

Qualified undergraduates may be enrolled in an undergraduate CRN for this course with faculty signature approval.