THE ECOLOGY OF RUNNING WATERS

EEMB 148 - SPRING 2011

COURSE SYLLABUS

DR. THOMAS J. EVEN LECTURE: TTH, 3:30 - 4:45 PM, PSYCH 1924
LSB, ROOM 4322 DISCUSSION: T, 1:00 – 1:50 PM, PSYCH 1806
PHONE NO. 893-2904 T, 2:00 – 2:50 PM, PSYCH 1806
E-MAIL: tom.even@lifesci.ucsb.edu W, 1:00 - 1:50 PM, PSYCH 1806
OFFICE HOURS: 1) T 2:00-2:50 pm, W 3:00-3:50 pm W, 2:00 - 2:50 PM, PSYCH 1806
2) By appointment

WEBSITE ADDRESS: gauchospace.ucsb.edu

TEACHING ASSISTANT: Edward Sharp

Office: MSRB 2009 Email: iggy@umail.ucsb.edu Office hours: M 2:00 - 2:50 PM

READING MATERIALS:
1) Allen, J. D. and Castillo M. M. Stream Ecology: Structure and function of running waters. 2nd Edition.
Springer. (Optional) Available at UCSB bookstore.
2) Discussion readings: Select articles in lotic ecology (EEMB 148/248). Available on Gauchospace website.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
1) To provide an introduction to river ecosystems: to describe their structure ad function, organisms that live
within them and the main ecological concepts that comprise our understanding of them.
2) To explore bioassessment as a tool for measuring stream water quality and habitat health (biological
integrity) based on physical, chemical and biological metrics.
3) If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to come and see me immediately. Sometimes a few
minutes can clear up many hours worth of difficulties.

PREREQUISITE: MCDB 1A and MCDB 2B, EEMB 2 and EEMB 3 (Introductory Biology)

SCHEDULE OF EXAMS: (See Lecture Schedule)

GRADING SYSTEM:
There will be two midterm exams and a final exam, each worth 100 points. The final exam will not be
cumulative (it will cover the material since the previous midterm exam). There will be a required discussion
section and associated case study (100 points total). The discussion section will be graded on attendance,
participation, homework questions and one case study. The case study evaluation will be based on: quality of
evaluation, clarity, insight, thoroughness, support of arguments, and quality of writing. Grades will be based
upon the percentage of the total 400 points, which the student has earned. The class curve will be taken into
account, but the cutoff points will not be higher than the following: A - 90%; B - 80%; C - 70%; D - 50%.

The A, B, and C, "cut-offs", may be as much as several percentage points lower depending upon the class
curve, but the D "cut-off" will not be lower than 50%.

EXAMINATION METHOD:
Examinations are part objective and subjective and are geared to test the basic and analytical ability of the
student. Midterm and final examination question format will include "fill-ins", matching, short answer questions
and short essays.

MAKE-UP POLICY:
For compelling reasons, the midterm and final exams may be made-up if students contact Mr. Even prior to
the regularly scheduled exam.
 EEMB 148 LECTURE SCHEDULE

Date Topic Text chapter

March 29 Introduction: The stream and its valley 1

March 31 Hydrology 2

April 5 Geomorphology 3

April 7 Hydrochemistry 4

April 12 Physical factors: light, temperature, current, substrate 5

April 14 Nutrient cycling and transport 11

April 19 MID-TERM EXAM I

April 21 Organic matter: Description and dynamics 7, 12

April 26 Primary producers: Nutrients, light, disturbance 6

April 28 Herbivory: Periphyton – grazer interactions 9 (Pp 197-204)

May 3 Consumers: Invertebrates and fish 8 (Pp 163-180)

May 5 Consumers: Trophic relationships 8 (Pp 183-195)

May 10 Movement and colonization: Invertebrate drift 10

May 12 MID-TERM EXAM II

May 17 Competitive Interactions 9 (Pp 217-219)

May 19 Competition, disturbance and succession 9 (Pp 222-225)

May 24 Predator – prey interactions I 9 (Pp 205-209)

May 26 Predator – prey interactions II 9 (Pp 210-214)

May 31 Lotic community structure 10

June 2 Modifications of running waters 13, 14

June 9 FINAL EXAM: 4:00 – 7:00 PM

 EEMB 148 DISCUSSION SECTIONS AND CASE STUDY

TA: Edward Sharp Sections: T 1pm PSYCH 1806

Email: iggy@umail.ucsb.edu T 2pm PSYCH 1806
Office: MSRB 2009 W 1am PSYCH 1806
Office Hours: M 2:00 - 2:50 PM W 2pm PSYCH 1806

Undergraduate Assistants: Kaitlyn Hollister, Scott Freeburg

Students are required to complete a case study exploring the use of bioassessment as a tool to evaluate the
biological integrity of river systems. Ecological processes will be explored through the evaluation of primary
literature, analysis of physical, chemical and biological data and interpretation of biotic indices. The Case study
review will consist of a short series of questions and associated graphics. Answers to case study questions
must be well organized and well written. They should contain sufficient background information and
explanation of metrics and models to be understandable without line-by-line reliance on the discussion section
handouts. All mathematical notation used should be defined carefully and graphics properly labeled. Clarity
and conciseness should be emphasized.

*(The case study is designed to enhance the student’s educational experience and provide them with an
applied perspective. Flexibility and respect for the TA’s hard work in development are a must)

DISCUSSION SCHEDULE:
Section Week of Topic/Readings (to be done prior to class)
1 Mar 28th Introduction to bioassessment
• No Readings
2 Apr 4th Basic biostatistics
• Inroduction to JMP and basic biostatistics; Even 2011
3 Apr 11th Physical and chemical assessment
• EPA Bioassessment Brochure; Magrisso and Belkin 2009
4 Apr 18th Algal communities
• Selections from Maine BLWQ website; Lewis et al 1999
5 Apr 25th Invertebrate communities
• Ode et al 2005; Questions due in class
6 May 2nd Fish communities
• Data Interpretation HW due in class
7 May 9th Biotic indices and interpreting data
• Data Interpretation HW due in class
8 May 16th Work on case studies
TBA
9 May 23th Work on case studies
TBA
10 May 30st Case studies (upload via gauchospace)

GRADING: (section is worth 25% of the course grade)

60% Case Study, 10% Attendance/Participation, 30% Questions/HW (10% each)

DISCUSSION POLICIES:
Attendance: One excused absence is permitted. Additional absences (other than illness with a doctor’s note)
will negatively affect the participation grade.

Switching sections: If students need to attend another section in a given week, the TA must be notified prior to
the event. To switch sections permanently, see the TA in Week 1.

Late Work: Will be penalized 10% per day. Case studies will NOT be accepted after June 3rd.