Aquatic Ecosystems

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

• 6. Clean water and sanitation
• 12. Responsible consumption and production
• 13. Climate action
• 14. Life below water

Objectives

• To know the structure and function of freshwater and marine ecosystems.
• To understand factors that determine aquatic biodiversity.
• To realize which anthropogenic stressors affect aquatic ecosystems.

Learning outcomes

• RA1. Identify the factors which condition and define the development of aquatic ecosystems.
• RA2. Explain the distribution and functioning of aquatic ecosystems.
• RA3. Recognise the main groups of aquatic organisms and describe the main identification indicators of a species.
• RA4. Define the structure and dynamics of aquatic ecosystems.
• RA5. Apply fieldwork skills and show how to relate experimental evidence found in the field and/or laboratory studies to theoretical knowledge.
• RA6. Use techniques for analysis and quantification of bioindicators.
• RA7. Search and analyse scientific information to prepare and present a topic related to the subject content in public.
• RA8. Correctly interpret quantitatively and qualitatively the experimental data obtained in the laboratory and learn from any mistakes made.
• RA9. Show conscientious work ethics in particular to quality.
• RA10. Recognise and critically reflect on processes related to the professional practice.
• RA11. Demonstrate comprehension of spoken and written messages of different types expressed in Catalan, Spanish and English.
• RA12. Use appropriate spoken language (verbal and non-verbal) to communicate in personal and professional situations in Catalan, Spanish and English.

Competencies

General skills

• Be prepared to overcome adversity in professional activity and learn from mistakes in order to integrate knowledge and enhance one's preparation

Specific skills

• Apply methods and techniques of sampling and analysis suited to obtaining information from the natural environment.
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of ecosystem operation and diversity - dynamics, interactions between species, energy flows and biogeochemical cycles - for the study and preservation of the natural environment.
• Have oral and written skills in English for communicating results, conclusions and processes deriving from research in the field of biology.
• Identify and recognise the levels of organisation of organisms and biological diversity.
• Know about methods of analysis, modelling and prediction of ecosystem operation.
• Master basic laboratory techniques in biology, apply protocols and use appropriate instruments, observing safety norms and correctly interpreting the results obtained.

Basic skills

• Students can apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and have competencies typically demonstrated through drafting and defending arguments and solving problems in their field of study.
• Students can communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialists and non-specialists.
• Students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their field of study) in order to make judgements that include reflection on relevant social, scientific and ethical issues.

Core skills

• Be a critical thinker before knowledge in all its dimensions. Show intellectual, cultural and scientific curiosity and a commitment to professional rigour and quality.
• Use oral, written and audiovisual forms of communication, in one's own language and in foreign languages, with a high standard of use, form and content.

Content

1. Introduction to the aquatic ecosystems
2. Lentic ecosystems
3. Lotic ecosystems
4. Marine ecosystems
5. Main anthropogenic impacts on aquatic ecosystems (student seminars)

Evaluation

Subject assessment takes into account both theoretical and practical lessons. The final grade is calculated as a weighted average of the following items:

• Partial exam 1: individual grade. It can be resat. (Weight of 25%)
• Partial exam 2: individual grade. It can be resat. (Weight of 25%)
• Practical sessions (They can not be resat):
  • Scientific report (results from field and lab sessions): group grade. (Weight of 20%)
  • Field sampling questionnaire: individual grade. (Weight of 3%)
  • Lab methods questionnaire: individual grade. (Weight of 3%)
• Student seminars (They can not be resat):
  • Teacher evaluation (Weight of 10%):
    • Seminar content, format and oral presentation: group grade. (7%)
    • Oral communication skills and defense: individual grade. (5%)
  • Peer-assessment of seminar content, format and oral presentation: group grade. (3%)
• Teaching innovation sessions: group grade. It can not be resat. (Weight of 2%)
• Active participation in the class, lab and field sessions: individual grade. It can not be resat. (Weight of 5%)
• Teamwork peer-assessment: individual grade. It can not be resat. (Weight of 2%)

Attendance to the field and lab sessions, seminars and teaching innovation sessions is mandatory to pass the subject.

To compute the final grade (weighted average), score of each partial exam should be ≥ 4,5/10.

To pass the subject, the final grade (weighted average) should be ≥ 5/10.

You can only retake 50% of the course in June.

Methodology

• Theory lessons and seminars
• Student seminars
• Practical sessions in the classroom, field and laboratory

Bibliography

Key references

• Allan, J.D. (2007). Stream ecology : structure and function of running waters (2 ed.). Chapman and Hall : Kluwer.
• Castro, P., Huber, M.E. (2013). Marine biology (9 ed.). McGraw Hill.
• Kalff, J. (2002). Limnology : inland water ecosystems. Prentice Hall, cop.
• Levinton, J.S. (2014). Marine biology : function, biodiversity, ecology (4 ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Wetzel, R.G. (2001). Limnology : lake and river ecosystems (3 ed.). Academic Press, cop.

Further reading

Teachers will provide complementary bibliography and compulsory reading throughout the course via the Virtual Campus.