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551-0000-12L 6 Credits

Aquatic Ecology

Gewässerökologie

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Hansrudolf Bürgi, PD Dr. Piet Spaak

VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:09:45

Abstract

Comprehensive aquatic ecology including extensive knowledge of aquatic communities adapted to their typical habitats. Overview of sampling techniques, analytical chemistry of water and experimental devices in limnology. Concepts in limnology and case studies of Swiss lakes and rivers.

Objective

Ecology of aquatic communities in lentic and lotic water. Adaptations and distribution patterns due to competition, predation and isolation. Principles of concepts in aquatic ecology. Applied case studies of different Swiss lakes and rivers.

Content

Origin and properties of different aquatic ecosystems Physical phenomena in water and their impact to water organisms Chemical components of water and nutrient cycling Redox processes in water and the consequences for the communities population dynamics and driving forces for succession. Driving forces of environmental factors to aquatic communities and their biological interactions. Distribution patterns and biodiversity including invasion of aliens Trophic structures and food chain regulations Concepts in Limnology (IDH, PEG- Model, River Continuum concept) Disturbance of aquatic ecosystems and restoration measures

Resources

Lecture Notes

Handouts are provided

Literature

Lampert, W., Sommer, U.: Limnoökologie, 1993, Thiemeverlag

General Information

Language: German
Frequency: Yearly recurring

Examination

Type: session examination
Mode: oral 30 minutes

Course Components

Type	Title	Time & Place	Hours
lecture	Limnoökologie	Wed 13:15-15:00 (ML F 34)	2 h weekly
lecture	Aquatische Ökologie II	Tue 08:15-10:00 (CHN F 46)	2 h weekly
exercise	Limnoökologie nach Vereinbarung innerhalb Praktikum 551-0018-00	No time listed	1 h weekly

Offered In

Biologie Bachelor
- Vertiefung 1: Ökologie und Evolution
  - Wahlmodule (Es ist ein Modul zu wählen (siehe auch D-BIOL Bachelor Wegleitung).)
    - Gewässerökologie
- Vertiefung 2: Neurowissenschaften
  - Wahlmodule (Ein Modul kann frei aus der Liste der Module gewählt werden, wenn es nicht schon als obligatorisches Modul gewählt würde (siehe auch D-BIOL Bachelor Wegleitung).)
    - Gewässerökologie
- Vertiefung 4: Integrative Biologie
  - Wahlmodule (Es sind zwei Module zu wählen, wobei eins davon "Biochemie", "Molekularbiologie und Biophysik" oder "Pflanzenbiologie" sein muss (siehe auch D-BIOL Bachelor Wegleitung).)
    - Gewässerökologie