Description and contextualization of the subject

The course offers basic knowledge on estuarine ecosystems, such as the main physicochemical and biological characteristics, the resources and services they offer, the human uses and impacts, the estuarine health assessment, and scientifically-based management.

The aim is that the students learn about the structure and function of estuaries: the main patterns of environmental variability, life variety, spatial patterns of diversity, and the characteristics of physical and biological processes interacting in such systems. Likewise, the course introduces the student in the historic and current problems of the use of estuaries by man, and therefore, the human impact on them as a consequence of physical modifications, pollution and resource exploitation, all them responsible for the estuarine ecosystem degradation. In addition, students will learn about estuarine management for the conservation of biodiversity and ecosystem services, as well as the improvement of estuarine health on impacted estuaries, including estuarine rehabilitation and clean-up methods.

The knowledge and skills achieved by the students of this course, which includes both theoretical lectures and practical activities, can contribute to the student employability in several professional fields such as primary and higher education, scientific and technical advice to companies and government institutions, marine resources management and environmental conservation, and scientific research.

Learning outcomes of the subject

At the end of the Unit, you should be able to:

1. access scientific and institutional information (paper and online literature)

2. achieve written reporting, oral presentation and discussion

3. achieve in situ recording of environmental data in water and sediments

4. apply data treatment methods

Ordinary call: orientations and renunciation

The assessment will be based on:

1. Attendance to lectures and practical activities (25%)

To pass the practicals, it is compulsory to attend the practical sessions. Practicals may be failed as a result of non-justified lack of attendance to any of the scheduled fieldwork, laboratory, computer or seminar activities.

2. Oral presentation on a selected estuary (25%).

3. Written report on the environmental study of the estuary of Bilbao (25%).

4. Written report on the visual assessment on habitats/communities’ conservation and human impact in the estuary of Urdaibai (25%).

Assessment criteria

In the oral presentation the coverage of all the established aspects, the correctness of the information provided and command of the subject, the organization of the information, the adequacy of the pace and tone, as well as the attractiveness and balance of text, figures, and animations will be assessed. In addition, the correctness and accuracy of the answers to questions asked by the lecturer and the rest of students will also be taken into account. In the case of the practical’s written reports, the accommodation of the text to scientific standards, and the clarity and conciseness of statements will be also valued.

The evaluation method included in this guide may be modified according to the guidelines and advice of the health authorities. All modifications would be announced in due course, and will be based on strategies and tools that can guarantee the students’ rights to be evaluated fairly.

Temary

Theoretical programme (Lectures):

1. The estuarine ecosystem.

Definition. Limits. Geomorphologic types. Classifications based on salinity, tides and energy. Functional components. Circulation of materials.

2. Ecological values.

Productivity and biodiversity. Pelagic habitats and plankton communities. Benthic habitats and communities. Associated subsystems. Nekton. Birds. Other vertebrates.

3. Socioeconomic values and anthropogenic uses:

Natural resources. Urbanization, industry and commerce. Tourism and recreation. Other activities.

4. Human impact.

Physical changes and habitat loss. Pollution: enrichment, unhealthiness and toxins. Overharvest and overfishing. Introduction of exotic species.

5. Estuarine management: basic knowledge.

Definition and goals. Status assessment. Conservation. Recovery: cleaning, restoration and rehabilitation. Monitoring.

Practical programme:

1. Field works

1. Boat survey to obtain environmental data in order to identify particular environmental problems in a humanised system: the estuary of Bilbao.

2. Field trip for visual assessment of the status of conservation and the human impact of a protected estuarine system: the estuary of Urdaibai.



2. Computer session

Treatment of the data obtained during the environmental survey of the estuary of Bilbao.

3. Seminar 1

To share information, discuss results and draw conclusions from the field works in groups. Finally, the students will have to write two individual reports, one on the study of the estuary of Bilbao and the other on the study of the estuary of Urdaibai.

4. Seminar 2

Oral presentation on the environmental and biological characteristics, main resources and uses, major problems and possible solutions for a particular estuary that will be chosen by students. This work will be performed in groups and students will have to conduct a literature review to obtain the necessary information.

Bibliography

Compulsory materials

Surfer® Golden Software or “R: A language and environment for statistical computing” software



All the need materials will be delivered during the course

Basic bibliography

• Borja, A. & Collins M. 2004. Oceanography and Marine Environment of the Basque Country. Elsevier.

• Carter, R.W.G. 1988. Coastal Environments. An Introduction to the Physical, Ecologcal and Cultural Systems of Coastlines. Academic Press.

• McLusky, D. S. & Elliott, M. 2006. The Estuarine Ecosystem. Ecology, Threats and Management. Oxford University Press.