Aquatic Ecology
Objectives
To know the main groups of organisms that are part of the aquatic communities and their adaptations to the pelagic and benthic environment. The physical, chemical and biological factors that structure the communities of the aquatic environments. Productivity and seasonal variation. Trophic relationships, competition, predation and recruitment.
To understand the functioning of ecological systems
1) freshwaters: rivers lakes and reservoirs, 2) transition waters and oceans: estuaries, coastal zones and the open ocean, 3) Wetlands
Recognize the importance of aquatic ecosystems and of their conservation and the actual state of disturbance at the global level, understand the threats which pend upon them and future tendencies.
General characterization
Code
12643
Credits
6.0
Responsible teacher
Marta Susana Silvestre Gouveia Martins
Hours
Weekly - 4
Total - Available soon
Teaching language
Português
Prerequisites
N/A
Bibliography
Allan, J.D. e M.M. Castillo (2008). Stream Ecology. Structure and Function ofRunning Waters, 2nd ed. Springer. Cushing, C.E. e J.D. Allan, 2001. Streams. Their Ecology and Life. AcademicPress, San Diego. Closs, G., B. Downes, e A. Boulton, 2004. Freshwater Ecology: a ScientificIntroduction. Blackwell Publishing, Oxford. Dobson, M. e Frid, C., 2009. Ecology of aquatic systems. OUP, Oxford. Dodds, W.K., 2010. Freshwater Ecology. Concepts and EnvironmentalApplications, 2nd ed. Academic Press, San Diego Baiser, M., 2005. Marine Ecology: processes systems and impacts. Oxford University Press, Oxford Levinton, J. 2009.
Teaching method
Available soon
Evaluation method
Available soon
Subject matter
Aquatic ecosystems. Global importance and services.
The aquatic environment. Physics and chemistry of water. Hydrodynamics, salinity, temperature, light and nutrients. Biogenic sediments.
Pelagic communities. Adaptation to life in water. Phytoplankton, zooplankton and nekton.
Benthic communities.
Marine communities and sedimentary processes.
Periphyton and macrophytes. Macroinvertebrates.
Aquatic ecosystems. Rivers, lakes and reservoirs. Estuaries, rocky and soft-bottom shores, coral reefs, the open ocean. Wetlands, temporary streams and ponds, hydrothermal vents, salt lakes, artificial systems.
Impacts and sustainability. Present situation and trends.
Marine Protected Areas and conservation of aquatic ecosystems.