Universität Wien

300365 SE+UE Course in functional ecology (2013S)

Biodiversity and ecosystem functions at heavily and slightly impacted reaches of the Wien River

10.00 ECTS (6.00 SWS), SPL 30 - Biologie
Continuous assessment of course work

Vorbesprechung am 1.3.2013 um 10 Uhr im ÜR 7, Biozentrum Althanstraße 14. Blockkurs: 9.9. bis 20.9.2013. Eine Teilnahme an der Vorbesprechung ist trotz elektronischer Anmeldung wegen wichtiger Verlautbarungen erforderlich.

Treffpunkt und Kursbeginn: 9.9. 2013, 9 Uhr, Bahnhof Hütteldorf (Endstelle U4), Ausgang Busbahnhof.

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 25 participants
Language: German

Lecturers

Classes

Currently no class schedule is known.

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The course provides insight into ecosystem functions, ecosystem structure and biodiversity patterns in a river continuum changing from a slightly disturbed catchment section to a heavily impacted streambed with urbanized hinterland. During three field excursions the bed morphology, basic hydraulic parameters, retention, vegetational structure, algal associations, macrozoobenthic composition and the fish fauna is explored. In the lab, field measurements and experiments dealing with bacterial activity are analysed; samples are identified and retention, biodiversity indices and morphological feeding group composition is calculated. Finally, the results are presented by students druing the last day.

Assessment and permitted materials

Attendance control, oral group presentation of project outcomes, finally written group protocols at the end of the course.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

The participants are aware of the basic principles governing ecological integrity in running water systems. They are familiar with the most important hydrological methods and are able to handle the specific field equipment (GPS, propeller-meter, Hess sampler). They are able to measure slope and to construct 3d-models of the sampling site. In addition, students are able to perform basic limnochemical analyses in the field and to identify stream biota in the lab.

Examination topics

Guided field work (mapping, equipment training, data collection) at low and high impact sections of the Wien River and guided as well as unguided data analyses in the lab. Handouts are distributed at the start of the course and throughout the lab sections.

Reading list

W. Schönborn: Fließgewässerbiologie. Gustav Fischer.

Association in the course directory

B-BOE 7, BOE 3

Last modified: Mo 07.09.2020 15:43