91121 Aquatic Ecosystems
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Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 91123c Nature and Evolution
The lower case 'c' after the subject code indicates that the subject is a corequisite. See definitions for details.
Description
This subject gives students a comprehensive understanding of the ecology of aquatic ecosystems (freshwater and marine). It provides students with knowledge of the physical, chemical and biological processes and their interactions that occur in freshwater, marine and estuarine systems. It also introduces students to the effects of anthropogenic impacts of in-stream and catchment activities on the integrity of these ecosystems, and how these influence approaches to managing water resources. Students develop an appreciation of the importance of understanding the ecology of these systems as it underpins the ability to manage these resources for the benefit of the biota and humanity. Students study the rich and varied patterns of biodiversity and physical features among these habitats, and the importance of maintaining their integrity in the face of anthropogenic impacts. Understanding ecosystem integrity requires an understanding of the structure and function of the ecosystems. The subject develops the student's ability to research issues related to the independent written report component of the subject, to discuss the implications of their results in the broader context of the ecology and management of aquatic ecosystems.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Identify major habitats in freshwater rivers and lakes, estuaries, coastal environments and oceans, and their distribution |
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| 2. | Articulate how the dominant physical, chemical and biological components of aquatic systems influence each other. |
| 3. | Critically analyse the major anthropogenic threats to different aquatic environments and their likely effects, then apply this knowledge to data collected in the field trips. |
| 4. | Use keys to identify micro- and macroinvertebrates and algae and analyse data from practicals and interpret the outputs to evaluate the ecological condition of aquatic environments |
| 5. | Synthesise in reports the links and interactions between different components such as between chemical, biological and physical, and how they may influence aquatic systems |
| 6. | Effectively communicate information in the form of written reports and integrate new knowledge |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate theoretical and technical knowledge of the principles of biodiversity and ecosystem function and evaluate and integrate principles of sustainability and conservation to protect biodiversity. (1.1)
- Critically evaluate scientific evidence and literature and apply effective and appropriate experimental design and analytical techniques to discover and hypothesise solutions to new and emerging environmental issues. (2.1)
- Demonstrate professionalism, including personal organisation, autonomy, teamwork, literacy and quantitative skills, while ensuring due consideration to ethical guidelines, work health and safety and environmental impact requirements. (3.1)
- Evaluate evolving concepts in environmental science and apply scientific skills to design creative solutions to contemporary or complex environmental issues by incorporating innovative methods, reflective practices, and self-directed learning. (4.1)
- Communicate effectively and professionally (oral, written, visual), generating defensible, convincing arguments for relaying research findings or articulating complex issues, concepts or skill around environmental science, within a multi-disciplinary setting. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
1.0 Disciplinary Knowledge
Key foundation knowledge in aquatic ecology is gained through lectures, practicals, field trips and interactive online quizzes. Your learning is assessed by field trip and practical knowledge tests, as well as by a written report and the final exam through questions that ask you to apply knowledge gained.
2.0 Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking
You will develop field based sampling skills, laboratory based identification skills, and learn data analysis and interpretation linked to assessing aquatic ecosystem health. This will allow you to determine the health and staus of different aquatic environments and make recommendations based on this. Quiz 1 and 2 allow you to reflect and demonstrate what you have learned on the field trip and within the practical classes and broaden your understanding of aquatic ecology. This information and feedback from the quizzes should be used to improve the report for the subject. This ability to refect on what you have learned and to learn from and continuously improve your efforts is crucial to lifelong learning.
3.0 Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility
This subject develops key professional skills for studying the ecology of aquatic ecosystems. Within the laboratory practicals, you will develop skills in limnochemical analysis methods, taxonomy of algae, aquatic micro and macroinvertebrates and fishes. These skills are then applied and assessed through the presentation and interpretation of data for the written assessment reports.The importance of freshwater and aquatic ecosystems in society is learned both in lectures and the field-based context. Due to the importance and vulnerability of these systems, an understanding and monitoring of the environmental changes due to human pressures is very important. Society requires that human needs and the environment be balanced to ensure a sustainable future. Your understanding of anthropogenic impacts on water quality, and how these relate to the ecology of the system is assessed through quizzes and a written assessment report.
4.0 Reflection, Innovation, Creativity
You will develop the skills necessary to evaluate and use appropriate technological and scientific skills to investigate ecological issues and use initiative to adapt to new situations.
5.0. Communication
You will develop the skills necessary to present and critically interpret (in a written report) the data you have collected. Your writing skills are developed through the provision of good and poor examples of data representation and assessment. As part of the practical component you will make an assessment of the health of the Manly Dam catchment based on the data you collect, and communicate these findings and recommendations for management and further studies through a formal scientific report. You will be required to assess the health, compliance against recreational use guidelines and risks to the stream, dam, estuary, coastal environment and catchment. One component of the marking schedule for the report is based on the clarity of these findings and how well they are substantiated and their originality of perspective. The report is similar to those likely to be required by future employers in this field.
Teaching and learning strategies
In the first week of the semester, students are provided with a written document outlining the weekly program for this subject, including preparation week activities, lectures, reading material before lectures, laboratory sessions, field trips and due dates for assessment items. Lectures provide comprehensive information of the current knowledge in the subject areas to assist students with preparation of assessment tasks. Practical exercises allow students to develop their practical skills in project design and planning, execution and communicating their findings in the form of a written report.
This subject includes university-based, field-based and home-based learning activities. During preparation week at home you will examine a news article on a pollution issue in the Manly Dam and lagoon catchment area. In week 3 or week 4 you will examine some previous reports on Manly Lagoon. In week 3 or week 4 you will attend a field trip to Manly Dam and lagoon catchment visiting sites from the inflowing streams, to the dam, estuary and coastal environment where you will learn techniques to measure the water quality and biological health of aquatic systems. You will do an online quiz based on this field trip. The samples collected on the field trip will form the basis of the following five practicals where you will analyse the samples collected and learn how to present and interpret the data during the practicals. You will integrate this information into knowledge gained from lectures and practicals to help you write your Manly Dam and lagoon catchment report, giving a position statement on the health of the dam and catchment and the differences between sites sampled.
The field based project provides an opportunity for students to work under real world situations. Practical manuals and lecture notes are provided in the subject. Written feedback on the reports will be given by the online tool REVIEW and within 2 weeks of submission of the report.
Content (topics)
The following is a brief outline of the subject content:
- Physical and chemical nature of aquatic ecosystems
- Diversity and adaptations of the biota in freshwater and marine/estuarine habitats
- Ecology of the biota freshwater and marine ecosystems
- Trophic relationships in aquatic ecosystems
- Lab pracs to develop skills of students in limnochemical analysis methods and taxonomy of algae and aquatic macroinvertebrates and fishes, and use of field instruments.
One field excursion to train students in practical skills in map work, measuring physical attributes of ecosystems, biological sampling design and collecting chemical and biological samples.
The project component involves processing the water and biological samples collected in the field, data collation and analysis, interpretation and discussion of results and writing a report.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Quizzes
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1 and 2.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Criteria: |
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Assessment task 2: Ecosystem health report
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 3. Professional, ethical and social responsibility 4. Reflection, innovation and creativity 5. Communication |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Criteria: |
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Assessment task 3: Final examination
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1 and 2.1 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Criteria: |
In the first week of the semester, students are provided with a written document describing the requirements of each assessment item and the criteria used in assessing student performance in each item. |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass this subject, students must achieve a total mark of 50% or more when the marks for the assessment items are added together.
Class attendance and participation are important components of the learning experience in this subject. Students are strongly encouraged to attend and participate in all learning activities including lectures, practicals and field trips or if wished online options.
Required texts
Boulton A et al. Australian Freshwater Ecology: Processes and Management, 2nd edition ISBN: 978-1-118-56823-1, Wiley-Blackwell
Recommended texts
1) Wetzel, R.G. 2001. Limnology. Lake and River Ecosystems Academic Press. Third Edition
3) Hawking JH & Smith FJ 1997. Colour Guide to Invertebrates of Australian Inland Waters. Cooperative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology, Albury.
4) Tsyrlin E & Gooderham J 2005. The Waterbug Book, CSIRO Publishing, Melbourne.
5) Downes BJ et al 2002. Monitoring ecological impacts: concepts and practice in flowing waters. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge
6) Connell S and Gillanders B 2007 Marine Ecology-An Australian Perspective. Oxford Press
References
Other books, journal articles and web sites will be recommended throughout semester.