Freshwater ecosystems are rare and valuable. Only 3% of the water on the planet is freshwater, but they are home to ten times more biodiversity than land and ocean, making it a critically important ecosystem. Only 1% of freshwater is available in the form of rivers, streams, lakes, ponds and groundwater. The rest is held up in glaciers, ice caps and in the atmosphere. Freshwater is a critical resource for agriculture, drinking water, industry and transport. That is why freshwater ecology and conservation is such an important topic.
In this fascinating course, you will learn about the ecology of freshwater ecosystems and how they work. We will also explore the many threats to freshwater systems and how they can be improved for people and for biodiversity.
Learning outcomes
At the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Understand the importance and diversity of freshwater habitats,
- Describe the different geomorphological, hydrological, biological and chemical characteristics of these habitats,
- Display an understanding of primary productivity in freshwater food webs,
- Recognise some of the key organisms in freshwater habitats, their adaptations for survival and their interrelationships,
- Understand the environmental threats facing freshwater ecosystems and the consequences that these have on the global environment,
- Describe freshwater resource management strategies.
At the end of the Course will be a quiz and if you get 70% or more you will receive a Certificate.
Module 2
Module 2. Life in Freshwater
Module 3
Module 3. Rivers and streams
Module 4
Module 4. Lakes and ponds
Module 6
Module 6. Our impact on the freshwater environment
Module 7
Module 7. Approaches to management, conservation & restoration and QUIZ
Module 1. Key concepts
- The importance of freshwater ecosystems
- Geomorphology, hydrology & structure of freshwater ecosystems
- Physical and chemical characteristics of freshwater
Module 2. Life in Freshwater
- Diversity of life in freshwater
- Aquatic food webs and trophic cascades
- Factors affecting primary productivity in different freshwater habitats
Module 3. Rivers and streams
- Physical factors shaping the land and biology
- Examples of adaptations in physiology and anatomy
- Habitat differentiation and ecological niches
Module 4. Lakes and ponds
- Description of lakes and ponds
- Temperature Cycles & Lake Stratification
- Nutrient sources
- Habitat differentiation and ecological niches
Module 5. Wetlands
- What is a wetland?
- Adaptations of wetland life
- Importance of wetlands
- Case study – Pantanal
Module 6. Our impact on the freshwater environment
- State of our freshwater resources
- Major drivers of freshwater biodiversity loss
- hydrological alterations (such as dams)
- habitat degradation and loss (such as draining wetlands)
- pollution (both diffuse and point-source)
- overexploitation (such as over-abstraction, overfishing)
- invasive species (their impact on habitats and biodiversity)
- climate change
Module 7. Approaches to management, conservation & restoration
- Emergency Recovery Plan
- Catchment-based management
- Freshwater habitat restoration
- Freshwater species recovery initiatives
- Ecosystem service approach
This course was instructive and wide ranging. I have already recommended the ETUK website to a colleague.
Ability to work at own pace plus links to relevant websites for further reading
Flexibility and easy to follow layout.
The teaching is excellent. It’s clear, precise and easy to follow. The knowledge from Sue is fantastic and it’s taught in a very understandable way with no rush. It’s been really good and I feel I’ve been able to retain the information well because of the way the course has been taught.
I liked the course, it was very comprehensive. I’m surprised how much I enjoyed the online elements of the course, I thought I would do better in a face to face course but honestly being able to go at my own pace is really working for me as I can spend time on the bits I find tricky as they come up rather than making a note to look things up later… I like the YouTube videos, being able to pause or even speed up the video to match my pace works well for me. I do feel like I learnt a lot. I would 100% recommend the course to others
Depth of knowledge was excellent.
Useful links, detailed information, great supporting photos
Flexibility and easy to follow layout.
I liked the ability to undertake the course at my own pace.
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The final exam is designed to test whether you have learned the appropriate knowledge and skills during this course. If you take the final exam and do not pass, we encourage you to review the course material and ensure you have read, understood and remembered the lessons. We want you to get the most out of this course and provide you with the knowledge and confidence you need to apply what you learn to your job or career. You may retake the final test once you have revisited the course material.
Yes! We want you to get as much out of this course as possible. We encourage you to refer back to your course materials from time to time to refresh your memory and ensure that you are confident on the subject. Therefore, when you purchase this course, you will have lifetime access to the course materials.
6 hours 
0 modules 
Introductory 
