Content
Ecology of Inland Waters (Module):
The Module “Ecology of Inland Waters” comprises theoretical and practical teaching units on the ecology of standing and flowing inland waters. Lectures, student seminars and excercises are offered as an integrated course called "Introduction to Inland Water Ecology" which lays the theoretical foundations during weekly two-hour sessions througout the summer term, whereas a "Practical Course in Inland Water Ecology" provides hands-on field and laboratory experience.
Introduction to Inland Water Ecology (Integrated Course)
Introductory lectures will convey information on lake and stream morphogenesis and morphology; hydrology; other physical features such as mixing, heat budgets, flow and light conditions; chemical characteristics; biogeochemical cycles, particularly of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus; dynamics of other important chemical factors such as oxygen; features of key organisms in fresh waters; the structure of planktonic and benthic communities, including the main components of the microbal loop; interactions between organisms; food webs; ecosystem processes, and ecosystem responses to anthropogenic stressors. Student seminars and excercises will enhance the content of the lectures.
Practical Course in Inland Water Ecology (field and lab course):
The “Practical Course in Inland Water Ecology” focuses primarily on lakes. It consists of a one-week block course at a limnological research station 80 km north of Berlin. The course will be held during the first or second week after the summer term. It will involve field measurements and sampling in contrasting lakes, subsequent chemical and biological analyses of the samples in the laboratory as well as data analysis, and oral presentations and discussions of the data. Accomodation will be provided at modest cost.
