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 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

Flexibility and easy to follow layout.

Michael

Flexibility and easy to follow layout.

Michael

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

SC

The material was concise and easy to understand; I loved the flexibility and ability to get the qualifications done at your own pace; and Sue was brilliant!

Deren

It was very informative and easy to access and navigate.

Tim

I liked the ability to undertake the course at my own pace.

Naomi