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£120.00

Freshwater Ecosystems and Ecology

9 hours
7 modules
Introductory

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.

Courses modules:

Module 1

. Key concepts

Module 2

. Life in Freshwater

Module 3

. Rivers and streams

Module 4

. Lakes and ponds

Module 5

. Wetlands

Module 6

. Our impact on the freshwater environment

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
  1. hydrological alterations (such as dams)
  2. habitat degradation and loss (such as draining wetlands)
  3. pollution (both diffuse and point-source)
  4. overexploitation (such as over-abstraction, overfishing)
  5. invasive species (their impact on habitats and biodiversity)
  6. 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

Here’s what our students are saying:

Course was full of detail and real life examples. It was laid out well and well presented. Definitely would do another.
Susannah
A great course that looks at everything from water chemistry to whole aquatic ecosystems and catchments.
Olivia
This course was instructive and wide ranging. I have already recommended the ETUK website to a colleague.
Susan
Ability to work at own pace plus links to relevant websites for further reading
Susan
Flexibility and easy to follow layout.
Michael
A career change in your 40’s its quite a daunting prospect, and even though I had completed lots of self study, small courses and training- I knew there were likely a few gaps in my knowledge, so doing a full structured course made good sense. Whilst some of the content was quite familiar, I was surprised by just how big some of the knowledge gaps were – it really boosted my confidence studying the modules and realising why they were so important. It is a great course that I would recommend to anyone wanting to qualify in Conservation, and has certainly helped me in my new career working as part of a landscape recovery project team
Bill Bradshaw
Useful links, detailed information, great supporting photos
Claire
ETUK is such wonderful and exciting resource. I came across an advertisement in British Wildlife. I appreciate how generous and comprehensive the information is. It’s very empowering to feel I can actually gain the tools to help to make an impact.
Anna
Flexibility and easy to follow layout.
Michael
Very easy to understand and accessible
Sophie
I liked the way Sue explained each module, she was clear and her passion was visible! She motivated me even more!
Sara

FAQs

Can I retake the quiz if I fail?

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.

Will I still have access to the course materials once I finish the course?

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.