BIOEE 4570

Limnology: Ecology of Lakes, Lectures

Course Description

Course information provided by the Courses of Study 2024-2025.

Limnology is the study of inland freshwaters, which includes lakes, ponds, reservoirs, rivers, streams, and wetlands. This course focuses on lakes and ponds, and examines their physical, chemical, and biological properties. A lake's physical (e.g., size, light, temperature, mixing) and chemical (elements and compounds) structure directly affects aquatic organisms in terms of species abundance, diversity, and interactions. Organisms in turn influence their physical and chemical environment. This class will introduce students to fundamental concepts in limnology, which we will build upon to examine real-world challenges facing freshwater ecosystems (e.g., eutrophication, invasive species, climate change).

When Offered Fall.

Prerequisites/Corequisites Prerequisite: BIOEE 1610 or permission of instructor.

Distribution Category (BIO-AS) (OPHLS-AG)
Course Attribute (CU-SBY)

Comments Recommended prerequisite: introductory chemistry.

• Explain fundamental concepts that govern lakes and ponds, including physical, chemical, and biological properties.
• Describe interactions between aquatic organisms and their physical and chemical environments, which regulate abundance and community structure of organisms.
• Compare the multiple approaches used to examine lake dynamics (e.g., experiments, observational studies, models).
• Assess the human impacts to lake organisms and ecosystems, identify the ecological processes underlying those effects, and explain possible mitigation management actions.
• Critically read, evaluate, and discuss scientific literature.

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