Specific competences:

An ability to understand the physical environment in order to interpret the structure and functioning of ecosystems and to evaluate, plan, manage, conserve and restore inland populations and aquatic ecosystems.

An ability to manage the knowledge of instrumental subjects that allow us to obtain information, designing experiments and interpreting results in Limnology.



Horizontal competences:

An ability to provide services and direct, write and execute projects within the scope of one’s professional skills, as well as in dissemination to the scientific community and society.

An ability to develop the ability to analyse, synthesise, organise and plan to allow for decision-making.

An ability to acquire tools for continuous autonomous learning and the promotion of initiative, innovation, motivation for quality and sensitivity to environmental issues.

An ability to develop skills in interpersonal relationships that encourage teamwork and progress in critical thinking.



Expected results in the field of Limnology:

Managing appropriate concepts and terminology

Expressing oneself orally and in writing in a suitable manner

Managing appropriate techniques and equipment

Acquiring habits in the search and selection of scientific information

Understanding the possibilities and current world trends in research in different areas

Preparing reports on solved problems

Other expected results:

Developing meticulousness, rigour, curiosity and an attitude of seeking and analysing to contribute to the general training of a Biologist as a future professional.

Theoretical lecture programme



Introduction Limnology: object of study

Water as a medium

Introduction to Inland Water Chemistry

Producers and primary production

Consumers

Wetlands and other inland water bodies

Environmental problems and applied limnology



Practicals programme



Study of rivers: Morphometry. Transport and retentivity. Decomposition of allochthonous organic inputs and associated organisms.

Study of reservoirs: Temperature profiles. Analysis of dissolved nutrients. Analysis of pigments and suspended matter. Interpreting hydrodynamics and trophic states.

Field trip: continental aquatic systems.

Lectures

Combined Field and Laboratory practicals

Field trip

Tutorials

Evaluation tests Final exam on lectures (minimum 80% of the total mark). Papers on field and laboratory practicals. Practicals are compulsory regardless of their value.

- Continuous evaluation





- Final exam

- Paper on field and laboratory practicals.

Practicals are compulsory regardless of their value.

Only the person who has submitted the work will be able to take the exam. Otherwise it will be understood as a waiver of this kind of the evaluation.





- Final evaluation



In order to choose this option, the students have to present their waiver before the 9th week after the start of the course to the proffesor.In this case, the exam will consist of a theoretical exam (70%) and practical exam (30%). It is necessary to pass both exams.

Documentation provided by the teacher in the lectures
Practical lessons guidelines

Basic bibliography

DODDS, W.K., 2002. Freshwater ecology. Concepts and environmental applications. Academic Press, San Diego.

HORNE, A.J. & GOLDMAN, C.R., 1994. Limnology (2nd. ed.). McGraw-Hill, New York.

JEFFRIES, M. & MILLS, D. 1990. Freshwater ecology: Principles and applications. Belhaven Press, New York.

LAMPERT, W. & SOMMER, U. 1997. Limnoecology: The ecology of lakes and streams. Oxford University Press, New York.

MARGALEF, R., 1983. Limnología. Omega, Barcelona.

MOSS, B., 2001. Ecology of fresh waters: Man and medium (3rd. ed.). Blackwell, London.

WETZEL, R.G., 2001. Limnology (3rd. ed.). Academic Press. New York.

In-depth bibliography

ALLAN, J.D. & CASTILLO, M.M., 2007. Stream Ecology: Structure and function of running waters. 2nd. Ed. Springer, Dordrecht.
BRÖNMARK, C. & HANSSON, L.A., 2005. The Biology of Lakes and Ponds. Oxford University Press.
COOKE, G.D., WELCH, E.B., PETERSON, S.A. & NEWORTH P.R., 2005. Restoration and management of Lakes and Reservoirs. Lewis Publishers.
DARBY, S. & SEAR, D (Eds.), 2008. River Restoration. Jonh Wiley & Sons.
DOBSON, C. & BECK, G.G., 1999. Watersheds. A practical handbook for healthy water. Firefly, Willowdale, Ontario.
DOWNES, B.J., BARMUTA, L.A., FAIRWEATHER, P.G., FAITH, D.P., KEOUGH, M.J., LAKE, P.S., MAPSTONE, B.D. & QUINN, G.P., 2002. Monitoring ecological impacts. Concepts and practice in flowing waters. Cambridge, Cambridge.
FRANCE, R.L., 2009. Aquatic Responses to Watershed Clearcutting. CRC Press.
HAKANSON, L., 2005. Lakes: Form and Function. Blackburn Press.
MITSCH, W.J., GOSSELINK, J.G. & ZHANG, L., 2009. Wetland Ecosystems. John Wiley & Sons.
NAIMAN, R.J., DECAMPS, H. & McCLAIN, M.E., 2005. Riparia. Ecology, Conservation, and Mangement of Streamside Communities. Elsevier, Ámsterdam.

Journals

Limnology & Oceanography
Hidrobiología
Freshwater Biology
Canadian Journal of Phisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Journal of the North American Benthological Society
Limnetica