BIO 512: LIMNOLOGY
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Catalog Description: BIO 512: LIMNOLOGY (F) Aquatic biology covering thermal, physical, chemical attributes of fresh water and their effect on composition of an aquatic ecosystem. Two lectures, one three-hour laboratory. Prerequisites: BIO 110-111 or BIO 201-202, CHE 222. (3 cr. hr.)
Additional
Information: This course is frequently
taught by Dr. Klotz in Bowers Hall 362.
Fresh water is expected to be a major
environmental concern of the 21st century. As the human requirement
for clean fresh water increases with population growth, it is important to
understand the aquatic systems which will supply much of this water. In this
course, local lakes, streams, and wetlands will be visited and sampled to
determine their biological, chemical, and physical characteristics. The data
from these collections will be discussed in class and will be used to develop
the basic concepts of Limnology. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the
concepts and practices of limnology
by researching and reporting on laboratory
investigations and current literature, and by written tests and an interview
relating to lectures and text readings.
Classes and Field Trips: Material presented and discussed in class will frequently be based on data collected in the weekly laboratory. Many labs are field trips to local aquatic systems. Two lakes, two streams, a bog, and a beaver pond will be sampled through the semester, with emphasis placed on identification of organisms present and the processes that define each ecosystem. One of the lakes studied is nutrient rich Little York Lake, and it will be compared with the very unique Fayetteville Green Lake. The pristine stream running through the College’s Hoxie Gorge property will be contrasted with a stream impacted by erosion. By the end of the semester, students will understand how these ecosystems function and how human perturbations affect aquatic organisms and water quality.
