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701-2437-00L 6 Credits BSC D-BIOL

Wetland and groundwater ecology

Lecturers & Examiners: Dr. Tom Gonser, Prof. em. Dr. Klement Tockner, Prof. em. Dr. Mark Gessner
For D-BIOL limited to 15 students at the most; double block, 1st and 2nd quarter"
VVZ CR n/a

Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:23:45

Abstract

The course will give an overview of the structure, function and dynamics of wetland and groundwater ecosystems, introduce selected wetland (marine and freshwater) and groundwater types, and use examples from wetlands and ground waters to illustrate central ecological themes. Conservation, restoration and management issues will also be discussed. The course comprises lectures and a field trip.

Objective

The overall goal of the course is to provide basic conceptual and factual insights into wetland and groundwater ecology. Specifically, it aims at conveying essential knowledge on selected wetland and groundwater types and understanding of their key ecological features. The acquired knowledge base is to allow future integration of a wide range of information needed (i) to conduct basic and applied research in wetland and groundwater community and ecosystem ecology, and (ii) to develop sound conservation, restoration and management strategies of these ecosystems.

Content

The wetland part will give an overview of the structure, function and dynamics of wetlands. We will present major physiographic, hydrological, chemical and biological features of wetlands, introduce selected marine (mangroves, salt marshes) and freshwater (lake littoral, mires, floodplains) wetland types, and use examples from wetlands to illustrate central ecological themes (e.g. gradients, zonation, ecotones, production and decomposition, biodiversity). In addition, we will discuss conservation, restoration and management issues. Special emphasis will be placed on river floodplains. The groundwater part will provide a comprehensive overview of the various aspects of groundwater ecology: history of groundwater ecology, the physical structure (alluvial and karstic) of ground waters, hydrology, surface water/groundwater interaction, the chemical milieu, microbial activity and biogeochemical transformations, the groundwater fauna (biodiversity, evolution, adaptations, biogeographic distributions, ecological distributions), threats to groundwater ecosystems, groundwater pollution, groundwater remediation, groundwater monitoring and management.

General Information

Language
English
Levels
BSC
Frequency
Yearly recurring

Examination

Type
graded semester performance

Course Components

Type Title Time & Place Hours
lecture Groundwater ecology
Die Lehrveranstaltung findet in der ersten Semesterhälfte statt.
  • Wed 13:15-14:00 (ML F 34)
3 h weekly
lecture with exercise Wetland ecology
Die Lehrveranstaltung findet in der ersten Semesterhälfte statt und schliesst eine Exkursion ein, voraussichtlich einmalig von Donnerstag bis Montag frueh. Die Teilnehmerzahl ist begrenzt.
  • Wed 13:15-17:00 (ML F 34)
6 h weekly

Offered In