BIOL3006: Aquatic Ecology
2010 Course Outline PDF

Faculty: Dr. Cathy Enright
ph: 893-3827

Laboratory Instructor: Audrie-Jo McConkey
ph: 893-3951

I. COURSE DESCRIPTION:
The biology of aquatic species in marine and freshwater environments is discussed.
Biological systems involving farmed species are emphasized. Organism interdependencies
and interactions are examined. An introduction to the principles of ecology at the
community and ecosystem level of integration is included. 
Prerequisite: BIOL1003

II. OBJECTIVES:
A. Introduce the students to the ecology of aquatic ecosystems: Stream, river, lake, estuarine, marine.
B. Discuss the physical and physiological characteristics of aquatic organisms and the
environmental constraints of living in an aquatic ecosystem.
C. Survey some of the aquatic organism groups: aquatic vegetation, plankton
(zoo- and phyto-), macroinvertebrates, fish
D. Introduce students to field techniques common to aquatic ecosystems: monitoring
and analysis of physico-chemical and biological water parameters, mapping, etc.
E. Using a project format, complete a survey of a body of water, analyze the data and
produce a report summarizing the findings.
F. Present a series of case studies and contemporary issues to highlight the interdisciplinary nature of this science, and its application to environmental problem solving and conservation.

III. TEXTBOOKS AND READING MATERIALS:
A. Lecture:
Barnes, R.S.K, and Mann, K.H. 1991. Fundamentals of Aquatic Ecology. QH541.5.W3
Dodds, W. 2002. Freshwater Ecology:  Concepts and Environmental Applications, Academic Press.  QH 541.5 F7 D63 
Kaiser, M.J., Attrill, M.J., Jennings, S., Thomas, D.N., Barnes, D.N., Brierley, A.S., Plunin, N.V.C., Raffaelli, D.G., and Williams, P.J. 2005. Marine Ecology: Processes, Systems, and Impacts.  QH 541.5 S3 M2567
Kalff, J. 2002. Limnology: Inland Water Ecosystems. QH96.K24
Miller, G.T. 2005. Living in the Environment: Principles, Connections, and Solutions. GE
105.M54
Molles, M.C. 2002. Ecology: Concepts and Application. QH541.M553
Nybakken, J.W. 2001. Marine Biology: An Ecological Approach. QH91.N9
Odum, E.P. 1997. Ecology. QH541.0293
Smith, R. 2001. Ecology and Field Biology. QH 541 S611 2001

LINKS:
B. Lab: USEPA. Rapid Bioassessment Protocols for Use in Streams
and Wadeable Rivers: www.epa.gov/owow/monitoring/rbp/index.html
DFO Streamkeepers Handbook: http://www.pskf.ca/publications/Handbook.pdf
http://www.pskf.ca/publications/Module09.pdf
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/240212.pdf
http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/Library/216753.pdf
http://www.gvrd.bc.ca/sewerage/pdf/bib_guide.pdf
http://www.keepersweb.org/Shorekeepers/Guide/index.htm#4

IV. INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES AND METHODS
A. Evaluation and Grading Policy: Since this course integrates theory and technique
between lecture and lab, the lecture exams will include material presented in the laboratory
as well as the lecture, textbook and other assigned reading.

B. Field Trips
Students must have proper attire for the field: study shoes that can get wet or waders. Be prepared to wade, be out in the sun for several hours (hats, sunscreen, water bottle, field notebook and pencil). Be prepared for rain as early fall is often a cool, wet time. Field trip notes, as well as analyzed data from field trips will be organized into Laboratory Reports. Remember 30% of your grade is based upon laboratory activities. Be on time and be prepared for class, lab and field trips.

The Aquaculture Department does have wet gear and some boots that they loan out to students. There are numerous student lockers available to you for your belongings. Please contact Marilyn Roberts at 100 Haley for a locker number – you have to supply your own lock. Also, the locker room is equipped with a shower.

Most of all learn a great deal and have fun!!!!

Notes

Extra Labs

Cod Lab on #1 small, white Lexar Memory Stick  BIOL3006  LABS

Halifax Museum

River Hebert: r_fraser@ducks.ca  667-8726, ext 223

Nenneh Pulp & Paper – Dayle Smith – 752-8461, ext. 145

Solar Aquatics, Christine Macy: Christine.macy@dal.ca  422-5892

Adaptive Mechanism of Ulva & Ascophyllum (*Collect Ulva & Ascophyllum on Field Trips)

Extra Lectures

Distribution and Abundance of Fish Stocks (BIOL3006, 2006 Memory Stick, Paul’s)

Sharks and Whales – last day – December 4 Video

Yukon is booked for 8 Field Trips (April 21, 2008).  It can hold nine people, including driver

Tides: http://www.waterlevels.gc.ca/english/Canada.shtml

Course: Aquatic Ecology (BIOL3006)
Laboratory Schedule
Faculty: Dr. Cathy Enright
ph: 893 3827 cenright@nsac.ca
Laboratory Instructor: Audrie-Jo McConkey
ph: 893 3951 amcconkey@nsac.ca
Week Thursday
1 Sept 09 - First Day of Class - Introductory to the Lab
2 Sept 16 - Rivers, Streams, brooks. Water Quality River Assessment. Understanding of digger logs. Lepper Brook. Regg Madden. Electro-fishing.
3 Sept 23 - Life in a Lake. MacEllmond’s Pond.
4 Sept 30 - Nature’s Wetlands. Tour of the established Duck’s Unlimited site located in Shubenacidie. Departure time: 12:30
5 Oct 07 - Life in a salt marsh. Brule Beach, Northumberland Strait. Using quadrats to compare species diversity. Connecting species from the ocean to the land. Formal lab.
15:48 tide = 1.12m Departure time: 12:30
6 Oct 14 - Assessment of soft-shelled clam populations. Economy Beach, Minas Basin, Bay of Fundy. Formal Lab. Analyzing populations through previous years. Clam digging. Formal lab.
tide = 3.1m, 15:57 Departure time : 12:30
7 Oct 21 - Intertidal Communities. Lawrencetown Beach. Rocky intertidal and sandy beach. Examination of intertidal species and their ability to adapt to haline conditions. Formal lab.
12:45 tide = 0.3m Departure time: 12:30
8 Oct 28 - Seabirds and their adaptive capabilities. Dr. Helene van Donnick

9 Nov 05 -Fraser’s Mills Fish Hatchery Restocking provincial waters with salmonids. Opportunity to span Atlantic salmon. Departure time: 12:30
10 Nov 11 - NO CLASS - Remembrance Day.
11 Nov 19 - Oral Presentation on an aquatic ecological issue
12 Nov 25 - Aquaculture Debate. Aquaculture and the Environment pros and cons. Responding to the question: Does aquaculture harm the environment?

In the event of weather cancellations for a field trip, the lab will be held in Room 161, Aquaculture.