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  2. Wetland Ecosystems [SCI2204]

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Natural Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Wetland Ecosystems

  • Unit Code

    SCI2204

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit investigates the nature of wetlands, and their physical and biological characteristic. The methods and approaches used for monitoring these habitats will be examined. The unit also covers the role of water resources management in the conservation of wetlands.

Prerequisite Rule

(Students must pass 1 units from SCI1185, SCM2110, SCM2202 AND Students must pass 1 units from SCC1111, SCC1123)

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded SCI2257

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Describe the effects of human impact on wetlands.
  2. Describe the geomorphology of land-based water bodies and explain the dynamics of wetland environments.
  3. Describe the origin, use, conservation and abstraction of water and the relationship of these aspects to wetland management.
  4. Explain the effects of seasonal influences on the dynamics of wetland ecosystems.
  5. Outline the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of different kinds of natural waters and wetland environments, and describe the main ecological interactions occurring within them.
  6. Undertake field assessments of water quality and hydrological parameters.

Unit Content

  1. Biological characteristics of natural fresh waters and wetlands: Zonation, stratification; composition and ecological interactions of biota of lotic and lentic communities; productivity, effects of seasonal variation on the biota.
  2. Case studies in the management of wetlands.
  3. Human impacts on wetlands environments: Eutrophication, pollutants, vegetation clearance, recreation, introduced species and their control; measurement of water quality and hydrological factors.
  4. Water origins, composition, uses, conservation and abstraction: Hydrological cycle; infiltration, runoff, river flow - regulated, unregulated; water storage methods, reservoirs, basins; groundwater characteristics, wells, bores, effects on wetlands; water abstraction, drainage and regulation in metropolitan regions; waste water treatment, water conservation through landscape planning, water harvesting.
  5. Wetlands in their physical setting: Water as a geomorphic agent in shaping the landscape; morphology of drainage basins; stream dynamics, river and lake systems, swamps, estuaries, water logged soils.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, laboratory work, practical workshops, field visits.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%
Laboratory WorkLaboratory/field work30%
AssignmentEssay20%

Text References

  • Bayly, I.A.E., & Williams, W.D. (1973). Inland waters and their ecology. Melbourne: Longman Cheshire.
  • Boon, P.J., Calow, P., & Petts, G.E. (1992). River conservation and management. Chichester: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
  • Boulton, A., & Brock, M. (1999). Australian freshwater ecology. Adelaide, Australia: Gleneagles Publishing.
  • Cooke, R.V., & Doornkamp, J.C. (1990). Geomorphology in environmental management: A new introduction (2nd ed.). Oxford: Clarendon Press.
  • Wetzel, R.G. (2001). Limnology. Lake and river ecosystems (3rd ed.). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
  • Karr, J.R., & Chu, E.W (1999). Restoring life in inland waters. Better biological monitoring. Washington DC: Island Press,
  • Mitsch, W.J., & Gosselink, J.G. (2007). Wetlands (4th Ed.). Chichester: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
  • Ryding, S.O., & Rast, W. (1981). The control of eutrophication of lakes and reservoirs. Man and the biosphere series. Paris and New Jersey: UNESCO and The Parthenon Publishing Group.
  • Strahler, A.N., & Strahler, A.H. (1973). Environmental geoscience: Interaction between natural systems and man. Canada: Hamilton Publishing Co.
  • De Deckker, P., & Williams, W.D. (Eds.). (1986). Limnology in Australia. Melbourne: CSIRO Australia, Dordrecht: Dr W Junk Publishers.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCI2204|1|1

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Natural Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Wetland Ecosystems

  • Unit Code

    SCI2204

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    15

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit investigates the nature of wetlands, and their physical and biological characteristic. The methods and approaches used for monitoring these habitats will be examined. The unit also covers the role of water resources management in the conservation of wetlands.

Prerequisite Rule

(Students must pass 1 units from SCI1185, SCM2110, SCM2202 AND Students must pass 1 units from SCC1111, SCC1123)

Equivalent Rule

Unit was previously coded SCI2257

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Describe the effects of human impact on wetlands.
  2. Describe the geomorphology of land-based water bodies and explain the dynamics of wetland environments.
  3. Describe the origin, use, conservation and abstraction of water and the relationship of these aspects to wetland management.
  4. Explain the effects of seasonal influences on the dynamics of wetland ecosystems.
  5. Outline the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of different kinds of natural waters and wetland environments, and describe the main ecological interactions occurring within them.
  6. Undertake field assessments of water quality and hydrological parameters.

Unit Content

  1. Biological characteristics of natural fresh waters and wetlands: Zonation, stratification; composition and ecological interactions of biota of lotic and lentic communities; productivity, effects of seasonal variation on the biota.
  2. Case studies in the management of wetlands.
  3. Human impacts on wetlands environments: Eutrophication, pollutants, vegetation clearance, recreation, introduced species and their control; measurement of water quality and hydrological factors.
  4. Water origins, composition, uses, conservation and abstraction: Hydrological cycle; infiltration, runoff, river flow - regulated, unregulated; water storage methods, reservoirs, basins; groundwater characteristics, wells, bores, effects on wetlands; water abstraction, drainage and regulation in metropolitan regions; waste water treatment, water conservation through landscape planning, water harvesting.
  5. Wetlands in their physical setting: Water as a geomorphic agent in shaping the landscape; morphology of drainage basins; stream dynamics, river and lake systems, swamps, estuaries, water logged soils.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, laboratory work, practical workshops, field visits.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ExaminationEnd of semester examination50%
Laboratory WorkLaboratory/field work30%
AssignmentEssay20%

Text References

  • Bayly, I.A.E., & Williams, W.D. (1973). Inland waters and their ecology. Melbourne: Longman Cheshire.
  • Boon, P.J., Calow, P., & Petts, G.E. (1992). River conservation and management. Chichester: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
  • Boulton, A., & Brock, M. (1999). Australian freshwater ecology. Adelaide, Australia: Gleneagles Publishing.
  • Cooke, R.V., & Doornkamp, J.C. (1990). Geomorphology in environmental management: A new introduction (2nd ed.). Oxford: Clarendon Press.
  • Wetzel, R.G. (2001). Limnology. Lake and river ecosystems (3rd ed.). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
  • Karr, J.R., & Chu, E.W (1999). Restoring life in inland waters. Better biological monitoring. Washington DC: Island Press,
  • Mitsch, W.J., & Gosselink, J.G. (2007). Wetlands (4th Ed.). Chichester: John Wiley and Sons, Inc.
  • Ryding, S.O., & Rast, W. (1981). The control of eutrophication of lakes and reservoirs. Man and the biosphere series. Paris and New Jersey: UNESCO and The Parthenon Publishing Group.
  • Strahler, A.N., & Strahler, A.H. (1973). Environmental geoscience: Interaction between natural systems and man. Canada: Hamilton Publishing Co.
  • De Deckker, P., & Williams, W.D. (Eds.). (1986). Limnology in Australia. Melbourne: CSIRO Australia, Dordrecht: Dr W Junk Publishers.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCI2204|1|2