91155 Stream and Lake Assessment
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Requisite(s): 91121 Aquatic Ecosystems
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses. See access conditions.
Description
Australia is the driest inhabited continent on earth and our limited surface water is critical for biodiversity as well as freshwater for direct human consumption for irrigation, potable water, industry and a range of other ecosystems services that derive from healthy freshwater systems. In order to ensure biodiversity protection and that the impacts of human disturbances are understood, it is necessary to be able to assess the health of streams and lakes. This subject covers the biological characteristics of Australian streams and lakes, methods of measuring their health via biomonitoring and water quality measurements, and the ecological management of streams and lakes. An appreciation of these factors allows students to contribute to the ongoing debates about direct human consumption of freshwater versus 'environmental flows', the regulation of water by dams and other engineering works, and the impact of environmental contaminants on freshwater systems. This subject is targeted at those seeking a career as professional freshwater ecologists in government, environmental consultancy, companies and universities. A two-day field excursion is a core component of this subject.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Conduct assessments of stream ecosystem health. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Describe various approaches to freshwater ecosystem assessment, and their strengths and limitations. |
| 3. | Describe the biological, chemical and hydrological characteristics of freshwater ecosystems. |
| 4. | Describe the current approaches to water quality assessment and catchment indicators. |
| 5. | Identify a range of indicators that can be used for assessing freshwater ecosystems. |
| 6. | Demonstrate practical project management skills. |
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)
- Acquire knowledge of Indigenous Australian and Torres Strait Islander people's unique connection to the environment, developing professional cultural capability to work effectively with and for, Indigenous Australians within environmental professions. (6.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The subject content contributes to the graduate profile through the following components:
1.0 - Disciplinary Knowledge
You will learn ecological theories relevant to assessing the ecological health of streams and survey design in lectures. You will develop an understanding of these theories and be assessed by a project report and a final exam.
You will learn the application to field sampling, sample processing and data analysis to determine the health of freshwater systems during lab practicals and the field trip. You will be assessed on the extent to which this application is understood by lab practical participation and quizzes and presentation of findings of field surveys conducted during the field trip.
2.0 Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking.
You will developed an inquiry-oriented approach during the field trip and the report preparation by generating and testing of hypotheses (on the effect of dams on water quality and biota), analysing data and make interpretation of this data in light of knowledge learned through lectures and reading the literature. You will be assessed by the project report.
You will learn the current models for assessing ecological health of freshwater systems in lectures. It will be assessed by the project report and final exam.
3.0 Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility
During the field trip you will work in small teams to collect and process samples. You will need to plan well and use project management methods to ensure the project is completed on time. You will be assessed by attendance and participation in the field trips and lab pracs and the project report. You will develop professional skills in freshwater benthic algae and macroinvertebrate taxonomy and this will be learned in the lab pracs and assessed in prac quizzes. You will learn in-situ water quality measurements and field sampling techniques on the field trip and interpretation of results is assessed in the project report.
Freshwater is a critical resource in Australia and its management and the management of freshwater biodiversity continues to be politically controversial. However, it is widely agreed that the management of freshwater needs practical scientifically robust methods to assess the ecological health of freshwater. You will be equiped with knowledge of and practical skills in this assessment and thus be empowered to actively participate in the on-going debate. You will learn about these issues in lectures and apply practical skills in the lab pracs and the field trip and assessment is spread across all assessment items.
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.
During lectures you will learn about important controversies for the maintenance of the health of freshwater will be covered including debates over direct human consumption of freshwater vs. ‘environmental flows’, the regulation of water by dams and other engineering works and the impact of environmental contaminants on freshwater systems. You will be assessment in the final exam.
You will develop an understanding of the global role of environmental science in managing environmental impacts. You will investigate the topical issue of the impact of dam and flow regulation on the field trip with assessment by the project report produced from the field trip. This will allow you to reflect on what you have learned, and use innovative and creative ideas to manage freshwater systems and impacts such as dam construction.
5.0 Communication
You will prepare a written project report on effects of dams on stream biota and water quality, following the required format for layout, referencing, tables and figures. You will be assessed on communication skills through the correct use of English and an accepted scientific format and clear descriptions of the problem addressed.
You can use use an evidence based approach to understanding the role of the environmental impact drawing in a wide body of relevant scientific knowledge/theories via referencing, making logical arguments and conclusions. Additionally in the case of the project report assessment you will include the correct and logical presentation of statistical inference.
6.0. Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Knowledge and Connection with Country
During lectures you will learn about Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander knowledge and connection with water sources such as rivers and how this influences water management in Australia and in particular in the Murray Darling Basin.
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject includes online tasks, lectures, laboratory sessions, group work and a major field trip. Online materials and tasks in Canvas prepare you for lectures and laboratory classes and are assessed in online quizzes which give students feedback both early in the session and after the field trip. Lectures provide comprehensive information of the current knowledge in the subject areas to assist you with preparation of assessment tasks where they can demonstate knowledge gained. Lecture material is further assessed in the final exam. Practical exercises allow you to develop practical skills in project design and planning, identification skills and in communicating findings in the form of a written report. The excursion provides opportunities for collaboration by working in small groups to achieve tasks and collect data and this is assessed during the trip and within the final report. The field based project provides an opportunity for you to work under real world situations. Practical manuals and lecture notes are provided in the subject. Written feedback on the project report will be given. Information and documents (lecture schedule, assessments, lecture and practical notes etc.) are given as hard copies and posted on Canvas.
Content (topics)
The following is a brief outline of the subject content you will learn:
- The types of water quality assessment protocols used in Australia and globally
- How to assess the ecological health of lotic and lentic systems using chemical and biological approaches
- Areas of importance for water management
- Hydrological theory and characteristics
- Assessing impacts of physical disturbances such as cold water inputs and hydrological alterations on lotic systems
- Using aquatic macroinvertebrates in assessing ecosystem health
- Indigenous perspectives on water management
- Lab pracs to develop your skills in limnochemical analysis methods and taxonomy of algae and aquatic macroinvertebrates, and use of field instruments.
- Major field excursion to train you in practical skills in map work, measuring hydrological and geomorphological attributes, biological sampling design and collecting chemical and biological samples.
- The project component involves processing of water and biological samples you collect in the field, data collation and analysis, interpretation and discussion of results and writing of a report.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Quizzes
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1.0 Disciplinary Knowledge |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1 |
| Type: | Laboratory/practical |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Criteria: | Accuracy of knowledge Participation in field trip and laboratory classes |
Assessment task 2: Project Report
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1.0 Disciplinary Knowledge 2.0 Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking 3.0 Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility 4.0 Reflection, Innovation, Creativity 5.0 Communication |
|---|---|
| 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: | Depth of knowledge Skill in analysis and interpretation Quality of report writing Ability to relate the results to concepts learned in class Clarity of conclusions and arguments for the impact of the dam and landuse on the rivers |
Assessment task 3: Final Examination
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1.0 Disciplinary Knowledge 2.0 Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking 6.0 Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Knowledges and Connection with Country |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 2, 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1 and 6.1 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 35% |
| Criteria: | Depth of knowledge Ability to communicate concepts learned in class Clarity of reasoning and arguments Use of examples to convey ideas |
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 expected to attend and participate in all learning activities including lectures, practicals and field trips or if wished online options.
Required texts
1. Gooderham, J. and E. Tsyrlin 2003 The Waterbug Book – A guide to freshwater macroinvertebrates of temperate Australia. CSIRO Publishing
2. Australian Freshwater Ecology: Processes and Management, 2nd Edition - Boulton, A., Brock, M., Robson, B., Ryder, D., Chambers, J., Davis, J. ISBN: 978-1-118-56823-1 Wiley-Blackwell
Recommended texts
1) Wright JF, Sutcliffe DW & Furse MT (Eds) 2000. Assessing the biological quality of fresh waters: RIVPACS and other techniques. Freshwater Biological Association: Cumbria, UK.
2) Downes BJ et al 2002. Monitoring ecological impacts: concepts and practice in flowing waters. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
3) Jorgensen S.E, R. Costanza & F-L. Xu 2005 Handbook of Ecological indicators for assessment of ecosystem health, CRC Press
4) Wetzel, R.G. 2001. Limnology. Lake and River Ecosystems Academic Press. Third Edition
5) Hawking JH & Smith FJ 1997. Colour Guide to Invertebrates of Australian Inland Waters. Cooperative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology, Albury.
References
Useful websites
1) http://www.lucidcentral.com/keys/lwrrdc/public/aquatics/ - a free key to assist in the identification of Australian freshwater invertebrates
Other books, journal articles and web sites will be recommended throughout semester.