Basic knowledge in taxonomy of freshwater organism groups, especially benthic invertebrates.
· To learn sampling strategies, sampling techniques and sample treatment concerning biological material from freshwater ecosystems.
· To learn how to assess environmental status in lakes and streams based on results from sampling exercises using different biotic indices.
Students will be able to handle sampling of biological material in freshwater ecosystems. They will also know how to treat samples, how to arrange results and finally how to use results for assessments of environmental conditions by using different biotic indices.
Theoretical contents
· Introduction to biological monitoring. Definitions and principles of biological monitoring. Historical aspects.
· Different organism groups used in biological monitoring.
· Choice of sampling and sample treatment techniques. How can results be presented?
· Assessments of states in freshwater ecosystems using biological monitoring. Use of different indices.
Practical contents
· Practice in sampling techniques.
· Identification of aquatic organisms
· Calculations of different biotic indices and assessments based on collected organism groups
· Project work aiming at practical experiences in using biological monitoring
Links:
http://www.epa.gov/watertrain/stream_class/
http://www.epa.gov/waterscience/biocriteria/modules/#lr201
http://www.environment.no (State of the Environment Norway)
http://www.dirnat.no (Directorate for nature management)
http://www.environment.se (Swedish EPA)
Lectures, seminars, field studies (training in sampling strategies), practicals (species identification and index calculations) and project work. This kind of education probably need intense supervision (lecturer plus assistants) since most students can be unfamiliar to sampling activities, taxonomy in aquatic organism groups, etc.
A final written exam (60%) and a project report on some topic in biological monitoring (40%).
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