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G14. ADVANCED AQUATIC ECOLOGY
(KUL-code: IC05 (Th); IC06 (Pr))
Lecturer: DE MEESTER L.
ECTS-credit: 5 pts
Contact hours: 30 hrs. of theory/30 hrs. of practical
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of aquatic ecology and ecological concepts
Time and place: 1 st semester, VUB
Course syllabus: Lecture notes
Evaluation: Quotation on a personal work and an oral exam with written preparation
Comparable handbook: Limnoecology: The ecology of lakes and streams, W. Lampert & U. Sommer, Oxford
University Press, 1997
Introduction to ecological modeling, putting theory into practice, M. Gillman & R.
Hails, Blackwell Science, 1997
Moss, B., 1998. Ecology of Fresh Waters, Man and Medium, Past to future. Third ed.
Blackwell Science.
The ecology of tropical lakes and rivers, A.I. Payne, 1986, John Wiley & Sons, New
York
Additional information: -
Learning objectives:
The course aims at providing the students an in-depth insight into central concepts and new developments in
aquatic ecology, with emphasis on topics that are particularly relevant to tropical and subtropical systems.
Building on a basic knowledge of the structure and function of aquatic ecosystems (e.g. course on Aquatic
Ecology, GM22), it is the purpose that the student obtains the necessary insight and skills to design monitoring
and experimental studies in aquatic ecosystems. Concepts are introduced in such a way that they can be
incorporated into models describing ecological relationships within aquatic ecosystems, such that their
responses to perturbations and management practices can be evaluated. In doing this, much emphasis is also
given to the design of field and experimental studies that are intended to collect the data and parameter values
necessary to build realistic models.
Course description:
A) Ecological concepts:
- Concepts in population biology: dynamics of competitive and predator-prey interactions (data, case studies
and models); meta-population dynamics;
- Patterns and dynamics of bio-diversity;
- Concepts in landscape ecology ; and
- Concepts in evolutionary biology (e.g. life history evolution, dispersal in time and space, dia-pause
strategies; uncertainty and bet-hedging);
B) Tropical and subtropical aquatic biomes:
- Tropical rivers and pseudo-terrestrial ecosystems;
- Ephemeral pools;
- Ancient lake biota; and
- Salt lakes and salt marshes;
C) Applied issues:
- Resistance, resilience, recovery;
- Dynamics of overexploitation;
- The introduction of exotic species;
- Global change and large-scale impacts; and
- Lake management
D) Tools:
- Strengths and weaknesses of the experimental approach; experimental design;
46 / Course syllabi