Freshwater Ecosystems

Description

There is a 5 day field trip to Cass and the West Coast, 30 August- 3 September 2010.

Goals of the Course
This course is designed to teach the advanced theories and concepts of freshwater ecology and their practical application to current issues. You will learn about the diversity and functioning of
freshwater ecosystems, with emphasis on New Zealand systems but also with examples from
overseas. Through a concentrated period of learning on a field course, you will also learn the most
important practical skills necessary for a freshwater-related technical job in New Zealand. The
content of this course has been determined in association with major employers such as Regional
Councils and the Department of Conservation and is taught by Freshwater Ecologists who are
actively engaged in international-quality research. Thus, we can be confident the course will equip
students for freshwater ecology-related careers and that the training and knowledge they receive is state-of the art.

Learning Outcomes
• Acquire an appreciation of the main concepts in freshwater ecology
• Demonstrate knowledge of the distribution and abundance of organisms across a variety of
  ecosystems including streams, wetlands, lakes and ground waters
• Understand the processes that control the structure and functioning of freshwater ecosystems
  at a variety of scales ranging from individuals to ecosystems and landscapes, and including
  the role(s) of abiotic factors and processes.
• Have an awareness of the problems and issues affecting freshwater ecosystems, and have
  familiarity with how ecological knowledge can be applied to achieve solutions including
  their rehabilitation, restoration and conservation
• Develop sophisticated skills in field experimental design and sampling, and laboratory
  techniques (including taxonomy) of freshwater taxa, physico-chemical processes and
  ecosystem processes
• Have a high level of expertise in the analysis and interpretation of data from freshwater
  ecosystems
• Further extend scientific communication skills, especially oral presentations and scientific
  paper writing.