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Description

This course aims to develop a holistic understanding of lakes and ponds and their place in the landscape. Different lake and pond types and important hydrological and physico-chemical processes are covered. The structure and functioning of biological communities within lake systems and the natural and anthropogenic stresses affecting these are described, after which issues of conservation and restoration are explored. Key policy drivers of standing water conservation and the future of lakes and ponds under climate change scenarios are also covered. Where possible, a field day introduces sampling in small lakes and a practical class introduces students to the wonderful world of zooplankton.

Students should be familiar with basic ecological principles and concepts. A natural science background would be an advantage, but is not essential.

The course is based upon lectures, seminars, and where possible, practical classes and fieldwork.

Formative assessment involves feedback on group presentations of lake restoration plans.

The following specific topics are covered:

• Introduction to lakes and ponds and their different origins
• Hydrological, physical and chemical processes
• Primary production and food-webs in standing waters
• Pond ecosystems and their conservation
• Human impacts on lake and pond systems and lake-catchment conservation and restoration following best practice principles
• Climate change and lakes and ponds of the future
• Lake policy, legislation and the future

At the end of the course students should:

• understand the diverse nature of lakes and pond ecosystems
• be able to conceptualise the integrated nature of lake – catchment systems and appreciate interrelationships between hydrological, physical and chemical processes
• understand key parts of the biological structure and function of lakes and ponds
• have a good knowledge of practical lake and pond sampling approaches
• have an awareness of the problems posed by human impacts on lakes and ponds and how these can be addressed by conservation and restoration actions
• be able to design restoration strategies for lakes and ponds
• have a good understanding of best practice aquatic conservation and restoration practices

Students will have gained transferable career skills, namely:

• Critical thinking: ability to assess data and ideas
• Communication: conveying written ideas to non-experts
• Presentation skills
• Team working
• Field skills in zooplankton sampling
• Laboratory skills in basic microscopy and zooplankton identification

The course will be a very good introduction to aquatic systems in general in terms of their conservation and restoration. Past MSc Conservation students have recommended it as a good introduction to aquatic restoration principles and practice.