AQUATIC LANDSCAPE ECOLOGY LAB
Dana Infante, Associate Professor
Teaching
FW 414
Aquatic Ecosystem Management
This course explores how aquatic ecosystems are managed to meet ecological and socioeconomic objectives using an ecosystem management approach. The course begins by considering how we manage aquatic ecosystems for specific requirements, like managing nutrient inputs, regulating water flow, and protecting human health. As the course progresses, we examine cases where multiple management objectives must be met across a range of system types including rivers, reservoirs, lakes, wetlands, and estuaries. To explore the complex interactions among physical, chemical, biological, social, and economic factors relating to aquatic ecosystems, the course uses case studies and also includes guest lectures from natural resource managers and researchers who have attempted to manage aquatic ecosystems. Homework assignments are based on writing (and rewriting).
FW 454
Hydrology for Watershed Management
This course focuses on principles of hydrology and their application for management of aquatic and terrestrial systems. This course provides a qualitative and quantitative understanding of concepts and physical principles governing the distribution and movement of water above, on, and under the Earth's surface, with the watershed as the spatial unit of consideration. Course objectives include:
- Developing a fundamental understanding of the hydrologic cycle. Understanding how climate, topography, geology, soil, vegetation, and anthropogenic land uses affect the amount, timing, and quality of water yield.
- Developing the ability to quantitatively estimate the magnitude of various hydrologic processes within watersheds. Examining analytical procedures for evaluating precipitation, evapotranspiration, infiltration, and stream flow.
- Considering ways in which hydrologic information can be used for managing aquatic and terrestrial systems. Evaluating ways in which management objectives may alter hydrologic regimes and ways in which multiple management objectives may conflict with one another.
