GEOGG103 Aquatic Macrophytes
OPTION COURSE GEOGG103 - AQUATIC MACROPHYTES
(15 credits, Term 2)
Staff:
Carl Sayer, Ben Goldsmith
Aims
- to introduce students to the structure, ecology and identification of aquatic macrophytes
- to provide students with practical skills in the field sampling of aquatic macrophytes
Content:
This is a residential course that will be based in Dorset and Somerset. The course will be delivered through a combination of lectures (2 hours in the mornings for 5 days), fieldwork (late morning to late afternoon) and laboratory sessions (late afternoon and some evenings). Fieldwork will take place in a range of environments including shallow lakes, ponds, rivers, ditches and coastal lagoons.
The following specific topics are covered:
- structure and ecology of freshwater-brackish aquatic plants
- role of aquatic macrophytes in aquatic ecological functioning
- methods for surveying aquatic macrophytes
- design of sampling programmes
- taxonomy and identification of aquatic macrophytes
- importance of aquatic macrophytes to conservation and developing water legislation
Assessment:
Plant identification exercise (20%)
Essay from a choice of titles (80%)
Format:
The course is based upon lectures, fieldwork and practical classes
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the course students should:
- understand the physiology and adaptations of aquatic macrophytes
- appreciate the key ecological structuring role of aquatic macrophytes in aquatic habitats
- understand the importance of macrophytes to lake restoration, management and developing water legislation
- have practical experience of sampling aquatic plants using a variety of tools and recording systems in a range of habitats
- identify aquatic plants (including all key genera in the GB flora) using standard identification guides and keys both in the field and using a low powered microscope
- design sampling programmes for aquatic plants
