Wetlands Ecology and Management

Objectives

1)      To know the various types of wetlands;

2)      To understand the interaction of abiotic and biotic factors in the functioning of various types of terrestrial wetlands (Cloud forests, bogs, rivers and lakes);

3)      To understand the dynamics of the interactions between the various types of wetlands;

4)      To understand the importance of wetlands and identify the disturbance factors;

5)      To acquire tools for planning and management of wetlands.

Program

1. Concept and types of wetlands
2. Azorean Wetlands
3. Biodiversity in wetlands
4. Wetland ecology
   1. Lakes and rivers               

                                                               i.      Abiotic factors;

1. Light, temperature, pH, oxygen, carbon, nutrients, influence of riparian vegetation

                                                             ii.      Biotic factors;

1. Interspecific relations, trophic interactions, continuum concept in rivers;

                                                           iii.      Seasonal succession and ontogeny of lentic means;

1. Palustrine wetlands

                                                               i.      Peat-bogs, fens and mountain grasslands

1. Montane cloud forests

                                                               i.      Environmental determinants

                                                             ii.      Occurrence and distribution in the Azores

                                                           iii.      Importance of mountain forests

                                                            iv.      Succession and interdependence in mountain ecosystems

1. Sustainable management of wetlands
   1. Anthropogenic threats and disturbances in free water environments;
   2. Ecological restoration and management of free water environments;
   3. Palustrine wetlands
   4. Legal instruments for wetland conservation: Ramsar Convention; Habitats Directive and Regional Network of Protected Areas

Teaching Methodologies

1. Explaining of theoretical content using the Data Show;

2. Discussion of theoretical contents;

3. Field classes;

4. Laboratory classes

5. Discussion of student presentations.

Bibliography

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- Bellinger, E. G. 1992. A key to common algae, 3ª edição. The Institution of Water and Environmental Management. London.

-    Boney, A.D. 1983. Phytoplancton, 4^th edition. Institute of Biology. Photobooks (Bristol) LDA..

-    Bönmark, C. & L.-A. Hansson. 2000. The biology of lakes and ponds. OxfordUniversity Press. New York.

- Borman, S., R. Korth & J. Temte. 1999. Through the looking glass - A field guide to aquatic plants. The Wisconsin Lakes Partnership. Wisconsin.

- Elias, R.B. 2007. Ecologia das florestas de Juniperus dos Açores. Tese de Doutoramento. Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Ciências Agrárias. Angra do Heroísmo.

- Giller, P. S. & B. Malmqvist. 1998. The biology of streams and rivers. OxfordUniversity Press. New York.

-    Gonçalves, V. M. 2010. Contribuição para o estudo da qualidade ecológica das lagoas dos Açores: fitoplancton e diatomáceas bentónicas. Tese de Doutoramento. Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Biologia. Ponta Delgada.

-    Hogarth, P. J. 2010. The Biology of mangroves and seagrasses, 2^nd edition. OxfordUniversity Press. New York.

- Little, C., G. A. Williams & C. D. Trowbridge. 2010. The biology of rocky shores, 2^nd edition. OxfordUniversity Press. New York.

- Little, C. 2000. The biology of soft shores and estuaries. OxfordUniversity Press. New York.

- Margalef, R., 1983. Limnologia. Omega.

- Mendes, C. 1998. Contributo para a caracterização de turfeiras de Sphagnum spp. Na ilha Terceira. Estágio de Licenciatura em Engenharia Agrícola. Universidade dos Açores. Angra do Heroísmo. 166pp.

- Moss, B. 1988. Ecology of fresh waters, 2^nd edition. Blackwell Scientific Publications.

- Pielou, E. C. 1998. Fresh water. The University of Chicago Press. Chicago.

-    Rydin, H. & J. Jeglum. 2006. The biology of peatlands. OxfordUniversity Press. New York

-    van der Valk, A. G. 2006. The biology of freshwater wetlands. OxfordUniversity Press. New York.

-    Wetzel, R. G. 1993. Limnologia. Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian. Lisboa.