Ecology of hydrosystems

Course unit

title

Scientific direction

Scientific code

Faculty

Department (s)

Ecology of hydrosystems

Ecology and environmental sciences N 012

Life Sciences Centre

Institute of Biosciensces

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Lectures

0

Consultations

0

Self-studies

7,5

Seminars

1,5

Aims of course

Student will acquire in-depth knowledge of newest hydro biological research methods, evaluation criteria for evaluating the condition of hydro-ecosystems and implementation of preservation methods accordingly. Student will learn to evaluate nutrient and chemical element cycles of water ecosystems, know the reasons for their change. Student will gain the knowledge to evaluate the biodiversity of various water ecosystems and implement modern preservation methods when necessary.

Main topics

Water physicochemical properties. Significance of water currents for hydro systems. Salinity and its importance for freshwater and saltwater water-bodies. Circulation of inorganic carbon and calcium, nitrogen, phosphor, iron, sulfur and silica cycles in hydro systems. Characteristics of plankton communities. Specifics and characteristics of phyto- and zoo-plankton communities. Characteristics of costal habitats, algae and macrophyte community importance in coastal areas. Sediment structure and formation, microflora. Organic carbon cycle in hydro-ecosystems and its importance for the biodiversity.  Characteristics of ichtio-fauna and its biodiversity in different ecosystems. Ontogeny of freshwater and saltwater hydro systems, its structure productivity and development. Hydro-physicochemical parameters of water-sources, bio indicator species and species and resources that are contributing the most for hydrocenosis. Preservation of water sources. River hydro-physicochemical parameters and characteristics, classification principles, typical examples of river zooplankton, fitobentos and zoobentos communities as well as animals and resources contributing to their hydrocenosis, indicator species used to evaluate biodiversity. River ichtio-fauna complexes, resources and preservation. Classification of man-made water bodies, their biodiversity and formation of ecological communities. Methods for mstudying productivity of hydro-ecosystem. Evaluation of economical potential of man-made water bodies and preservation of their ecological communities. Ecological evaluation of physio-geographical changes of freshwater lakes, their classification based on formation, productivity, hydro-physical or hydro-chemical parameters. Preservation of water communities ecological models.

Main literature

Author

Year of publication

Title

Issue of a periodical

or volume of a publication

Publishing place and house

or web link

1. Žaromskis R.

1996

Okeanai, jūros, estuarijos

Vilnius, “Debesija”. 291 p.

2.Brönmark Ch., Hanson L.-A

1998

The biology of Lakes and Ponds

Oxford University Press. 3–274 p.

3. Wetzel R. G.

2001

Limnology: Lake and River Ecosystems

3th Edition

Academic Press, San Diego, California.  1006 p.

4. Kilkus K.

2005

Ežerotyra

Vilniaus universiteto leidykla. 272 p.

2007

Limnoecology: The ecology of Lakes and Streams

Oxford university Press. 324 p.

6. P. J.Wood, D. M. Hannah, J. P. Sadler

2007

Hydroecology and Ecohydrology: Past, Present and Future

John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 460 p.

7. Arbačiauskas K. ir kt.

2009

Gyvūnijos monitoringo metodai

Vilnius, 163 p.

8. Kilkus K.

Stonevičius E.

2011

Lietuvos vandenų geografija

Vilniaus universiteto leidykla. 17-177 p,

9. M. Whiles, W. Dodds

2019

Freshwater Ecology: Concepts and Environmental Applications of Limnology

3rd edition

Academic Press, 998 p.

Assessment strategy

Assessment criteria

Exam

5 open questions:

Showing in-depth knowledge by answering all of the questions in detail - Perfect

Answering with minor mistakes or showing lack of knowledge in certain fields – Very good

Failing to answer one question or answering with major mistakes - Good

Failing to answer two questions or showing lack of knowledge in most fields - Average

Failing to answer 3 or more questions – Exam will be failed.

Report

Report will be written of 10 to 15 pages. At least 80 % of literature used must be published in 5 recent years. Report must review hydroecological situation of Lithuanias bodys of water, research that is being conducted and its results, methods of preservation that are in use at the moment.

Egidijus Bukelskis

dr.

doc.

Approved by the Council of Graduate School of Life Sceinces Center No 600000-…-… on the …. of …… 2021

Chairman  ……………………………………………………