Aquatic Ecology

This course provides an introduction to the ecology of continental freshwater ecosystems and marine ecosystems, as well as to the transitional environments between these two compartments—namely, mangroves, estuaries, and deltas.  These ecosystems will be examined from both structural and functional perspectives, with an emphasis on their similarities and differences, as well as on the abiotic and biotic factors that govern the organization of the communities of organisms that inhabit them.

They should provide an overview of these ecosystems or hydrosystems and how they function at various scales.

The first part of the course is devoted entirely to theoretical instruction; the second part consists of introductory sessions for field trips, the field trips themselves, and laboratory sessions in which the data collected in the field are analyzed and discussed as a group.

-Understand how aquatic ecosystems work

-Knowing how to collect samples in these environments

-Identify the main taxa found in these habitats

-Know how to calculate and interpret environmental quality indices

-The ability to write reports, analyze data, and present it graphically

-Be able to give an oral presentation