Unit details

ENVT5576 Aquatic Ecology

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 2	Online	Online Restricted
Semester 2	UWA (Perth)	Face to face
Semester 2	Albany	Face to face

Content

Aquatic environments such as lakes, rivers, estuaries and coasts, supply a diversity of ecosystem services that support humanity. They have also been subject to exploitation and degradation at a global scale in response to development pressures. Critical to planning for the sustainable use and management of aquatic environments is an understanding of the physical, chemical and biological processes that govern ecosystem interactions and their ability to support biodiversity. This unit provides students with an understanding of how inland and marine ecosystems function, and develops practical skills associated with field, laboratory and modelling based investigations. Case studies of diverse aquatic system types are explored, and associated issues including contamination, Harmful Algal Blooms, habitat loss and biodiversity loss are explored. Management approaches and technologies to restore and sustainably develop aquatic environments are also covered, including approaches to environmental water delivery, nutrient management and ecosystem restoration. Students will participate in a five day field trip. In 2019 the field trip is in Albany.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) apply knowledge of aquatic ecosystem function across freshwater, estuarine and marine environments; (2) evaluate how different threats to aquatic systems alter ecosystem functions and processes and interpret how these manifest in biodiversity outcomes; (3) evaluate scientifically-based remediation strategies for aquatic environments, with consideration of the environmental and economic implications that will determine successful implementation; and (4) evaluate examples of successful policies and governance approaches that can support aquatic system sustainability.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) opinion paper; (2) conceptual model; and (3) research report. Further information is available in the unit outline.

For units commencing in May 2022 or later the availability of the supplementary assessment is subject to confirmation.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Except where supplementary assessment is not available in a unit, it will be offered to students in all units who:

• Are in good academic standing overall;
• Have passed over half the units taken in the teaching period concerned, except where they are only enrolled in two or less units in the period;
• Have submitted all assessment items in the unit;
• Have achieved a mark between 45 and 49 for the unit overall, or the same mark in any failed component item in the unit; and
• No finding of academic misconduct has been made against them in the unit concerned.

Additionally student may apply for supplementary assessment in any unit which is the final unit required for graduation in there course and where they have achieved a mark between 45 and 49 for the unit overall, or the same mark in any failed component item in the unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Paul Close

Unit rules

Prerequisites:

Enrolment in 72530 Master of Environmental Science or 72520 Master of Biological Science or 71580 Master of Biotechnology or 74540 Master of Marine Biology or HON-ENVSC Environmental Science or HON-GGRPY Geographical Sciences

Co-requisites:

Nil

Incompatibility:

Nil

Incidental fees

Incidental student fees and charges are costs incurred by students as part of their studies at UWA that are in addition to their tuition fees (further information is available here or contact your Faculty Office).
Participation in this unit will incur the following incidental fee(s):
Field trip accommodation and food expenses (estimated cost - $55 per day , up to $275).

Contact hours

1x2hr lecture
1x3hr laboratory/practical
plus a field trip