Pre-requisite: 62221
The unit provides detailed knowledge of the interactions between physical, chemical and biological processes in aquatic ecosystems, and the influence of human activities on these processes. The main theorectical aspects are: characteristics and concepts of lotic and lentic aquatic ecosystems at different temporal and spatial scales; the structure of plant and animal communities that include biofilms, periphyton, macrophytes, phytoplankton, zooplankton, benthic macroinvertebrates and fishes; nutrient cycling, trophic structure and aquatic productivity; wetland, riparian and catchment management and ecosystem health. This theory provides a framework for applied freshwater topics: macroinvertebrates as biomonitors; blue-green algae, salinity, eutrophication and other current water management issues; freshwater aquaculture systems, and effluent control.