Stream Ecology

Recommended Prerequisites

Community and population Ecology.

Teaching Methods

All classes will be taught in intensive format, calculated over a period of two weeks with theoretical, theoretical-practical or field trips every day. Students will also be organized into groups that will be given a small project on the ecology and monitoring of rivers, which must be submitted in writing and orally. There will be discussions of scientific papers on proposed themes. There will be tutorial support in answering questions, completion, preparation, presentation and defense of the project as well as the resolution of practical / field issues.

Learning Outcomes

The course covers fundamental concepts of river ecology. The subjects cover the structure and functioning of lotic systems, the identification of disturbance currently affecting these systems and ways of monitoring and rehabilitation of watercourses. Students will develop the ability to collect, analyze and interpret data with a view to integrated study of environmental factors that may affect the composition and distribution of biota. Ecological principles are emphasized theoretical and practical protection, management, monitoring, rehabilitation and / or restoration of watercourses.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Introduction to fluvial ecosystems

2. Streamflow

3. Fluvial geomorphology

4. Streamwater chemistry

5. The abiotic environment

6. Primary producers

7. Detrital energy sources

8. Trophic relationships

9. Species interactions

10. Lotic communities  and Ecosystem Function

11. Nutrient dynamics

12. Stream ecosystem metabolism

13. Human impacts

14. The foundations of stream ecology.

Head Lecturer(s)

Manuel Augusto Simões Graça

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Laboratory work or Field work: 25.0%
Exam: 75.0%

Bibliography

Allan, J.D. (1995) Stream Ecology. Structure and function of running waters. Kluwer Academic Publishers. 388 pp.