Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology

Catalog description

This course is designed to provide students with an understanding of the life histories, ecology and importance of macroinvertebrates in freshwater aquatic ecosystems. Special attention will be given to taxonomy and diversity, the role of aquatic invertebrates in food webs, the implications of non-indigenous invertebrates on native aquatic environments and the use of macroinvertebrates in aquatic biomonitoring. The primary focus will be on aquatic insects, although other key aquatic invertebrates will also be included. The laboratory component of the course will involve learning to identify major groups of aquatic macroinvertebrates and is designed to provide students with skills in invertebrate sampling and identification, including the use of dichotomous keys. Field trips will include sampling several local aquatic habitats, and students will be required to develop a curated scientific collection of aquatic invertebrates during the semester. The course will provide training towards certification for the Society for Freshwater Science's aquatic invertebrate Taxonomic Certification Program (https://freshwater-science.org/about/taxonomic-certification).