Catalog Description

Hours: 39 (21 lecture, 18 laboratory)
Description:Field study of the biological diversity and ecology of aquatic environments and the biology of water life. Focuses on the water cycle and its biological importance and human interactions. Ponds, vernal pools, streams, rivers, lakes, springs, meadows, bogs, marshes (fresh and salt), shorelines, deltas, and/or bay/estuary environments may be investigated. Study sites may include Lake Tahoe, the American River, San Francisco Bay and other aquatic locations. Hiking or boat travel may be necessary. This class may require ability to hike moderate distances on uneven ground. Boat travel may be necessary. This class may involve camping in either developed campsites or in undeveloped wilderness areas. (CSU)

Course Student Learning Outcomes

  • CSLO #1: Describe and evaluate the impacts of humans on aquatic and riparian ecosystems.
  • CSLO #2: Describe the ecological and geological principles that affect aquatic and riparian ecosystems.
  • CSLO #3: Explain the factors that have shaped the evolutionary adaptations of the organisms of aquatic and riparian ecosystems.
  • CSLO #4: Accurately document and interpret ecological observations made on a field trip to aquatic and riparian ecosystems.

Effective Term

Fall 2022

Course Type

Credit - Degree-applicable

Contact Hours

39

Outside of Class Hours

42

Total Student Learning Hours

81

Course Objectives

Course objectives are linked to items in the course content outline (parentheses)
Lecture Objectives:
1. Evaluate the factors that have affected the formation of aquatic and riparian ecosystems. (Lecture Outline #1, #2, #5)
2. Apply ecological terminology to the description of aquatic and riparian ecosystems. (Lecture Outline #1, #2, #4, #5)
3. Investigate the interactions that local organisms have with the biotic and abiotic factors of their ecosystems. (Lecture Outline #1, #2, #3, #4, #5)
4. Explain the role that geology plays in the formation and delineation of communities of aquatic and riparian ecosystems. (Lecture Outline #3)
5. Analyze the past and present effects that humans have on aquatic and riparian ecosystems. (Lecture Outline #6)
Laboratory Objectives:
1. Demonstrate the use of a taxonomic key or field guide to identify species. (Laboratory/Field Outline #1, #4)
2. Identify geological and hydrological features that impact the formation and function of communities of aquatic and riparian ecosystems. (Laboratory/Field Outline #2, #3)
3. Investigate the interactions that local organisms have with the biotic and abiotic factors of their ecosystems. (Laboratory/Field Outline #1, #2, #3, #4)
4. Identify examples of human impacts on communities of aquatic and riparian ecosystems. (Laboratory/Field Outline #4, #5)
5. Create a detailed field journal or summary report documenting the field experience. (Laboratory/Field Outline #6)

General Education Information

  • Approved College Associate Degree GE Applicability
    • CSU GE Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU approval)
      • Cal-GETC Applicability (Recommended - Requires External Approval)
        • IGETC Applicability (Recommended-requires CSU/UC approval)

          Articulation Information

          • CSU Transferable

          Methods of Evaluation

          • Classroom Discussions
            • Example: To address Course Lecture Objective #3, "Investigate the interactions that local organisms have with the biotic and abiotic factors of their ecosystems", students might take part in a classroom discussion about the major characteristics of representative species of plants and animals occurring in an aquatic or riparian ecosystem and their role in the ecosystem. Students could be evaluated based on participation, accuracy of information, and completeness of information.
          • Projects
            • Example: To address Course Lecture Objective #3, "Investigate the interactions that local organisms have with the biotic and abiotic factors of their ecosystems", students might complete a project, either individually or in groups, that includes researching the major characteristics of a species of plant or animal occurring in an aquatic or riparian ecosystem and its role in the ecosystem, compiling this information in written or graphical form, and sharing this information in an oral classroom presentation. Students could be evaluated based on the completeness of the project, participation in all aspects of the project, accuracy of information presented, and overall quality of the project.
          • Reports
            • Example: To address Course Lab Objective #5, "Create a detailed field journal or summary report documenting the field experience", students might be asked to write a report summarizing the ecosystems visited, geological and hydrological features observed, and species encountered. Students could be evaluated based on accuracy of information, attention to detail, and completeness of summary.
          • Skill Demonstrations
            • Example: To address Course Lab Objective #1, "Demonstrate the use of a taxonomic key or field guide to identify species", students might be asked to use a taxonomic key to correctly identify an organism. Students could be evaluated on the correctness of the answer, technique, and understanding of terminology in the key.

          Repeatable

          No

          Methods of Instruction

          • Laboratory
          • Lecture/Discussion

          Lab:

          1. To address Course Lab Objective #1, "Demonstrate the use of a taxonomic key or field guide to identify species", the instructor might lead the class in a demonstration of the use of a dichotomous key for a known specimen, and then guide students as they attempt the identification of an unknown specimen.
          2. To address Course Lab Objective "2, "Identify geological and hydrological features that impact the formation and function of communities of aquatic and riparian ecosystems", the instructor might point out such key features in the field, making comparisons to other such features observed in the field or described in the classroom. Students will then make and record their own observations and comparisons.

          Lecture:

          1. To satisfy Course Lecture Objective #4, "Explain the role that geology plays in the formation and delineation of communities of aquatic and riparian ecosystems", the instructor might present a lecture (supplemented by images and/or video) that explains the formation of these ecosystems, the impacts of the water cycle, and the hydrogeology that influences the development of and species assemblages. Students will then make and record their own observations of geological influences on aquatic and riparian ecosystem.
          2. To satisfy Course Lecture Objective #5, "Analyze the past and present effects that humans have on aquatic and riparian ecosystems", the instructor might lead an in-class discussion about the historical impacts of humans on these ecosystems (e.g. water diversions, boating, hydropower, fishing, etc.).

          Typical Out of Class Assignments

          Reading Assignments

          1. To address Course Lecture Objective #2, students might be asked to read a handout that describes basic ecological terminology or to read the Ecology unit from the OpenStax Biology online textbook and then apply this knowledge to descriptions of observations in the field. 2. To address Course Lecture Objective #3 and Course Lab Objective #3, students might be asked to review life history information for an aquatic or riparian species that is available in a field guide, handout, or a natural resource agency website and be prepared to discuss this in class.

          Writing, Problem Solving or Performance

          1. To address Course Lecture Objective #4 and Course Lab Objective #2, students might be asked to write and/or prepare a short oral presentation about a geologic or hydrologic feature occurring in an aquatic or riparian ecosystem. 2. To address Course Lab Objective #5, students might be asked to document their observations in the field in a journal, using any combination of text, sketches, photos, and/or other media.

          Other (Term projects, research papers, portfolios, etc.)

          Required Materials

          • Ecology of Aquatic Management
            • Author: Frid, Dobson
            • Publisher: Oxford University Press
            • Publication Date: 2013
            • Text Edition: 2nd
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling
            • Author: Laws, John Muir
            • Publisher: Heyday Books
            • Publication Date: 2016
            • Text Edition: 1st
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:
          • Freshwater Ecology: Concepts and Environmental Applications of Limnology
            • Author: Dodds W, Whiles M.
            • Publisher: Academic Press
            • Publication Date: 2019
            • Text Edition:
            • Classic Textbook?:
            • OER Link:
            • OER:

          Other materials and-or supplies required of students that contribute to the cost of the course.