I. General Information
1. Course Title:
Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology
2. Course Prefix & Number:
NATR 1150
3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:
Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 2
Lab Hours: 2
4. Course Description:
This course will review the taxonomy, diversity and life histories of aquatic macro-invertebrates in the upper Midwest. Ecological relationships of aquatic invertebrates with water quality and fisheries will also be investigated. Measures and metrics for determining the health of macro-invertebrate communities and ecological health will be covered.
5. Placement Tests Required:
6. Prerequisite Courses:
NATR 1150 - Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology
There are no prerequisites for this course.
9. Co-requisite Courses:
NATR 1150 - Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology
There are no corequisites for this course.
II. Transfer and Articulation
1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:
Name of Institution
|
Course Number and Title
|
Credits
|
University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
|
WATR 387/587 Aquatic Insects
|
3
|
III. Course Purpose
Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):
Name of Program(s)
|
Program Type
|
Freshwater Studies
|
AAS
|
IV. Learning Outcomes
1. College-Wide Outcomes
College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies |
Students will be able to: |
Demonstrate written communication skills |
demonstrate understanding of invertebrate taxonomy, ecological principles and relationships |
Analyze and follow a sequence of operations |
demonstrate the proper application of standardized macro-invertebrate sampling techniques |
Apply ethical principles in decision-making |
utilize aquatic macro-invertebrate data to reach decisions that benefit entire ecological communities and serve multiple-use interests of people |
2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of
the course:
Expected Outcome
|
MnTC Goal Area
|
Demonstrate their understanding of the taxonomic classification of major groups of aquatic invertebrates.
|
|
Identify common aquatic macro-invertebrates in central Minnesota.
|
|
Correctly apply standardized methods to sample aquatic invertebrates.
|
|
Analyze aquatic macro-invertebrate data to assess ecosystem and fisheries health.
|
|
V. Topical Outline
Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.
1. Lecture Sessions
Review of the taxonomy and systematic of aquatic invertebrates
- history of taxonomy and invertebrate taxonomy
- contrast/compare the major groups of aquatic macro-invertebrates (e.g., Tubellaria, Gastropoda, Mollusca, etc.)
|
Examine regionally common aquatic macro-invertebrates
- orders, families, etc. of aquatic macro-invertebrates distributed within Minnesota
- life histories and ecological requirements of these groups
- ecology of invertebrates and roles they play in trophic levels and food webs
|
Discuss and demonstrate the use of aquatic invertebrate sampling methods and equipment
- sampling techniques and equipment designed specifically for aquatic invertebrates
- statistics associated with sampling methods and provide examples for students to apply statistics and perform calculations
|
Discuss and demonstrate the management and analysis of aquatic invertebrate sampling data
- concepts such as recording units of measurement, recording “0” values versus no observation, completing data sheets
- quality assurance techniques and practice quality assurance checks of original data sheets and computer files
|
Explain indexes of biological integrity (IBI) and demonstrate their application using aquatic macro-invertebrate data
- development of measures of stream and lake health using aquatic invertebrates
- introduce the concept of IBI and have students perform calculations using data sets
|
Demonstrate the incorporation of aquatic invertebrate sampling into holistic lake assessments and management
- applications and limitations in applying aquatic invertebrate data in broad-based ecological assessments
- demonstrate and practice incorporating IBI and other data into lake assessments and management plans
|
2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions
Review aquatic invertebrate specimens and highlight distinguishing characteristics
- examine aquatic invertebrates (by groups) for defining features used to identify them
|
Construct invertebrate sampling equipment for use in the field
- demonstrate construction of aquatic sampling equipment (e.g., Hester-Dendy)
- provide students with plans and materials from which they construct sampling equipment
|
Review sampling designs for assessing aquatic invertebrate communities and select appropriate techniques
- discuss the selection of techniques for specific applications
- guide students in the selection of sampling techniques for laboratory applications
|
Sample aquatic invertebrate communities, identify species and manage data
- visit field sites to install and monitor aquatic invertebrate sampling equipment
- demonstrate correct data recording practices and have students replicate
- demonstrate and apply quality control/quality assurance techniques to data sets
|
Create aquatic assessments and management recommendations using aquatic invertebrate data
- demonstrate integrating water quality data, fisheries data, and watershed information with aquatic invertebrate sampling results
- demonstrate and guide students in the creation of lake assessments and management plans using these data sources.
|
I. General Information
1. Course Title:
Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology
2. Course Prefix & Number:
NATR 1150
3. Course Credits and Contact Hours:
Credits: 3
Lecture Hours: 2
Lab Hours: 2
4. Course Description:
This course will review the taxonomy, diversity and life histories of aquatic macro-invertebrates in the upper Midwest. Ecological relationships of aquatic invertebrates with water quality and fisheries will also be investigated. Measures and metrics for determining the health of macro-invertebrate communities and ecological health will be covered.
5. Placement Tests Required:
6. Prerequisite Courses:
NATR 1150 - Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology
There are no prerequisites for this course.
9. Co-requisite Courses:
NATR 1150 - Aquatic Invertebrate Ecology
There are no corequisites for this course.
II. Transfer and Articulation
1. Course Equivalency - similar course from other regional institutions:
Name of Institution
|
Course Number and Title
|
Credits
|
University of Wisconsin, Stevens Point
|
WATR 387/587 Aquatic Insects
|
3
|
III. Course Purpose
1. Program-Applicable Courses – This course is required for the following program(s):
Name of Program(s)
|
Program Type
|
Freshwater Studies
|
AAS
|
IV. Learning Outcomes
1. College-Wide Outcomes
College-Wide Outcomes/Competencies |
Students will be able to: |
Demonstrate written communication skills |
demonstrate understanding of invertebrate taxonomy, ecological principles and relationships |
Analyze and follow a sequence of operations |
demonstrate the proper application of standardized macro-invertebrate sampling techniques |
Apply ethical principles in decision-making |
utilize aquatic macro-invertebrate data to reach decisions that benefit entire ecological communities and serve multiple-use interests of people |
2. Course Specific Outcomes - Students will be able to achieve the following measurable goals upon completion of
the course:
Expected Outcome
|
MnTC Goal Area
|
Demonstrate their understanding of the taxonomic classification of major groups of aquatic invertebrates.
|
|
Identify common aquatic macro-invertebrates in central Minnesota.
|
|
Correctly apply standardized methods to sample aquatic invertebrates.
|
|
Analyze aquatic macro-invertebrate data to assess ecosystem and fisheries health.
|
|
V. Topical Outline
Listed below are major areas of content typically covered in this course.
1. Lecture Sessions
Review of the taxonomy and systematic of aquatic invertebrates
- history of taxonomy and invertebrate taxonomy
- contrast/compare the major groups of aquatic macro-invertebrates (e.g., Tubellaria, Gastropoda, Mollusca, etc.)
|
Examine regionally common aquatic macro-invertebrates
- orders, families, etc. of aquatic macro-invertebrates distributed within Minnesota
- life histories and ecological requirements of these groups
- ecology of invertebrates and roles they play in trophic levels and food webs
|
Discuss and demonstrate the use of aquatic invertebrate sampling methods and equipment
- sampling techniques and equipment designed specifically for aquatic invertebrates
- statistics associated with sampling methods and provide examples for students to apply statistics and perform calculations
|
Discuss and demonstrate the management and analysis of aquatic invertebrate sampling data
- concepts such as recording units of measurement, recording “0” values versus no observation, completing data sheets
- quality assurance techniques and practice quality assurance checks of original data sheets and computer files
|
Explain indexes of biological integrity (IBI) and demonstrate their application using aquatic macro-invertebrate data
- development of measures of stream and lake health using aquatic invertebrates
- introduce the concept of IBI and have students perform calculations using data sets
|
Demonstrate the incorporation of aquatic invertebrate sampling into holistic lake assessments and management
- applications and limitations in applying aquatic invertebrate data in broad-based ecological assessments
- demonstrate and practice incorporating IBI and other data into lake assessments and management plans
|
2. Laboratory/Studio Sessions
Review aquatic invertebrate specimens and highlight distinguishing characteristics
- examine aquatic invertebrates (by groups) for defining features used to identify them
|
Construct invertebrate sampling equipment for use in the field
- demonstrate construction of aquatic sampling equipment (e.g., Hester-Dendy)
- provide students with plans and materials from which they construct sampling equipment
|
Review sampling designs for assessing aquatic invertebrate communities and select appropriate techniques
- discuss the selection of techniques for specific applications
- guide students in the selection of sampling techniques for laboratory applications
|
Sample aquatic invertebrate communities, identify species and manage data
- visit field sites to install and monitor aquatic invertebrate sampling equipment
- demonstrate correct data recording practices and have students replicate
- demonstrate and apply quality control/quality assurance techniques to data sets
|
Create aquatic assessments and management recommendations using aquatic invertebrate data
- demonstrate integrating water quality data, fisheries data, and watershed information with aquatic invertebrate sampling results
- demonstrate and guide students in the creation of lake assessments and management plans using these data sources.
|