ESCI 429/529 STREAM ECOLOGY (5 cr.)
Huxley College of the Environment,
Western Washington University
Spring 2009
Lectures: TR 11:00 am – 12:20 pm, CB 485
Labs: R or F 1:00 – 4:50 pm, ES 322
Instructors:
|
James M. Helfield Office: ES 338, Tel. 650-7285, Email: james.helfield@wwu.edu
|
Jamie Michel (TA) Office: ES 303 Email: micheljt@gmail.com |
MarySutton Carruthers (TA) Office: ES 301 Email: carrutm2@cc.wwu.edu |
|
Office hrs.: T 1:00 – 2:00 pm, or by appt. |
||
Course Objectives:
This course examines the
ecology of rivers and streams from a watershed perspective, with emphasis on
Pacific Northwest ecosystems. Topics
covered include hydrology, geomorphology, organic matter and trophic dynamics, biogeochemical
cycles, aquatic insects, fish, riparian ecology and hyporheic processes. The primary goal of this course is to provide
students with an understanding of the physical and biological factors that
shape the structure and dynamics of stream ecosystems, and the ways in which
these factors are interrelated. Another
goal is to help students become informed, critical thinkers able to collect and
analyse ecological data and to interpret the results of ecological studies.
Prerequisites:
ESCI or BIO 325; ESCI 361 and 362.
Recommended Texts:
There is no required text for
this course, although various references will be cited and/or recommended
during lectures and labs. Readings and
other course materials can be downloaded from the ESCI
429/529 Blackboard site.
Field Trips:
In addition to weekly lab
sessions, this course has two weekend field trips. Attendance is mandatory for at least one of
these trips. During field trips, you
should be prepared to be outside regardless of weather conditions. If you do not have a good raincoat and
waterproof boots, now would be a good time to invest in a set. One field trip will require an overnight stay,
for which you will be required to bring your own food and camping gear (e.g.,
sleeping bag, tent, backpack, water bottle).
Camping gear can be rented at reasonable rates from the WWU Outdoor
Center.
Assignments
and Grading:
|
ESCI 429: |
Midterm Exam |
25% |
ESCI 529: |
Mid-term Exam |
25% |
|
|
Lab Exercises |
25% |
|
Group Project |
50% |
|
|
Lab Practical Exam |
25% |
|
Final Exam |
25% |
|
|
Final Exam |
25% |
|
|
|
Late assignments will be
penalized 5% per day if turned in without a valid excuse. Students who miss a test without a valid
excuse will be given a grade of 0% for that test. If you have a valid excuse for missing a test
or a deadline, you should contact the instructor beforehand so that alternate
arrangements can be made.
Grades will be assigned as
follows:
|
Grade % |
Grade
% |
Grade
% |
Grade
% |
Grade
% |
|
|
B+ 87
– 89.9 |
C+ 77
– 79.9 |
D+ 67
– 69.9 |
F 0
– 59.9 |
|
A 93 – 100 |
B 83
– 86.9 |
C 73
– 76.9 |
D 63
– 66.9 |
|
|
A- 90
– 92.9 |
B- 80
– 82.9 |
C- 70
– 72.9 |
D- 60
– 62.9 |
Schedule:
|
Week |
Date |
Lecture |
Date |
Lab |
|
1 |
T 3/31 |
Introduction: A Watershed
Perspective |
R 4/2 |
Introduction and Wader
Fitting |
|
R 4/2 |
Watershed Hydrology I: Streamflow Generation |
F 4/3 |
||
|
2 |
T 4/7 |
Watershed Hydrology
II: Streamflow |
Sa 4/11 |
Chuckanut Cr. Field Trip |
|
R 4/9 |
Channel Hydraulics |
|||
|
3 |
T 4/14 |
Channel Morphology and
Fluvial Geomorphology |
R 4/16 |
Hydrology Lab: LAB EX. #1 |
|
R 4/16 |
Stream Classification; Stream Food Webs |
F 4/17 |
||
|
4 |
T 4/21 |
Aquatic Insects I: Life Histories, Adaptations and Functional Feeding Groups |
R 4/23 |
Aquatic Insect Lab I: LAB EX. #2 |
|
R 4/23 |
Aquatic Insects II: Thermal Ecology |
F 4/24 |
||
|
5 |
T 4/28 |
Organic Matter Dynamics |
R 4/30 |
Whatcom Cr. Field Trip |
|
R 4/30 |
MIDTERM EXAM |
F 5/1 |
||
|
6 |
T 5/5 |
Biogeochemistry and Nutrient
Cycling |
R 5/7 |
Aquatic Insect Lab II: LAB EX. #3 |
|
R 5/7 |
Fish Community Dynamics |
F 5/8 |
||
|
7 |
T 5/12 |
Riparian Ecology I:
Definitions and General Principles |
R 5/14 |
Periphyton Lab |
|
R 5/14 |
Riparian Ecology II: Functions affecting Stream Habitat, LWD and
the River Continuum Concept |
F 5/15 |
||
|
8 |
T 5/19 |
Large Animals |
R 5/21 |
LAB PRACTICAL EXAM |
|
R 5/21 |
The Hyporheic Zone I: Definitions and Hydraulics |
F 5/22 |
||
|
9 |
T 5/26 |
The Hyporheic Zone II: Biogeochemical Processes and Biota |
F 5/29 – Su 5/31 |
Elwha R. Field Trip |
|
R 5/28 |
529 GROUP PROJECT PRESENTATIONS; Stream Ecosystem
Theory; Field Trip Logistics |
|||
|
Dead |
T 6/2 |
Anthropogenic Influences |
R 6/4 |
Lab Cleanup |
|
R 6/4 |
Loose Ends, Summary and
Review |
F 6/5 |
||
|
Finals |
M 6/8 |
FINAL EXAM 8:00 – 10:00 am |
||