AQUATIC PLANTS AND THE ENVIRONMENT

ECOL-474/574 WFSc-474/574 SWES-474/574

Fall Semester 1998 - Tues and Thur. 1:00 to 4:00
Room 410 CBS Building
Course Web Site http://ag.arizona.edu/azaqua/aquaplants/aqplant.html

Course description: The course will cover aspects of the biology and ecology of aquatic vascular plants from freshwater (marsh and riparian) and estuarine environments. We will also examine the construction and uses of constructed wetlands. The course will include short field trips to a constructed wetland and local riparian zones during the class period and a weekend trip to an estuarine site in Mexico.

Course objectives: Aquatic plants are generally defined as those higher (vascular) plants completing their life cycles wholly or partly in a submerged state or in saturated soil. The goals of this course are: i) to learn the basic taxonomy of common aquatic plants, ii) to become familiar with the habitats where aquatic plants are commonly found, iii) to understand the functioning of nutrient cycles in aquatic systems, iv) to know the various definitions of wetlands and important legislation applicable to wetlands, v) to understand the concepts of mitigation, restoration, constructed wetlands, effluent dominated streams and wetlands, and how these are implemented, vi) become familiar with control and management of aquatic plants in perturbed and man-made ecosystems. The lab portion will focus on use of small ecosystems for study, short field trips to local wetlands, and familiarization with field instruments and water testing kits.

Instructors: Glenn ph. 626-2664 Fitzsimmons ph. 626-3324 Instructors e-mail: kevfitz@ag.arizona.edu eglenn@ag.arizona.edu

Office Hours: T & Th 12:00 in CBS 410, or by appointment.

Required Textbook: Wetlands 2nd Ed., Mitsch and Goselink

Exams: will be comprehensive and questions will come from lectures, textbooks, labs, student presentations, handouts and field trips. (Hint: topics which arise in two or more of these areas are the most likely to show up on exams.) Mid-terms will be reviewed in the class period following the exam. Short field trips will be conducted during the class period and attendance is required.

Grading: 2 mid-terms (higher score counts for 20%, lower score 15%)
final 25%
papers 20%
labs 10%
presentation & participation 10%

574 Research Project: Design, conduct and report a field or lab experiment developed with the instructors.

Research Paper: Pick subject, run keyword search in library, read pertinent literature on topic, prepare review paper

• 474 - two papers, one presented to the class
• 574 - two papers, both presented to the class
• 574 - one of above papers will be experimental project write-up, also presented to class

We expect the term paper to be a review of a topic of interest within the fields of aquatic plants or wetlands biology or ecology. The format should include a short abstract which will introduce the topic and provide a synopsis of the rest of the paper. The Introduction of the paper should discuss the topic in more detail and present some background information. The important literature should be brought up at this point, both text and journal articles would be appropriate. The Discussion section should be your interpretation of how all this information fits together. You should provide a synthesis of information you have found from various sources. It is expected that not all of the references will deal with your exact subject. The point is that you are examining the literature to extract bits and pieces from various sources and studies to better understand and update one specific topic. By looking at the basic published information and incorporating ancillary information from the most current literature you should be able to prepare a report which is completely up to date. The goal is to cover the topic with a well written paper, rather than a certain number of words or pages. But since several people will ask this anyway, we would expect the paper will take eight to ten pages of double spaced text with at least six referenced articles. Graphics are fine to include, either original or copies from literature. In fact tables or graphs generated from various studies are an excellent tool for a review paper.

Class participation: Much of the learning from this course comes from discussions during labs, field trips and during student presentations. Students who do not take part in these activities will be at a disadvantage to students who do take part in discussions and activities. The 10% of the grade devoted to participation and presentation will be graded on the oral presentation and participation in class discussions.

Late and missed assignments: Scores on assignments turned in late will be reduced 10% per day. Lectures, labs, field trips and student presentations are integral to the course structure and exam questions will come from all these aspects. In case of missed lectures, labs, or field trips, handouts will be provided but student is responsible for getting class notes. For extenuating circumstances, call and leave message at 626-3324.

Course grades: Course grades will be determined on a

• 90 - 100 = A
• 80 - 89 = B
• 70 - 79 = C
• 60 - 69 = D basis.
• Incompletes will follow University policy.

Tentative Lecture + Lab Schedule: Fall Semester 1998

Photos from course field trips and of aquatic plants

Lecture notes

Interesting Links:

• Links to Aquatic Plant Sites
  
• Hydrophyte List Link to USFish and Wildlife Wetlands Inventory.
• Exotic Species
  Seagrant info on aquatic weeds and exotics.
• Arizona Aquatic Plants Mail order business for aquatic plants.
• Wetlands Link to Auburn University
• Constructed Wetlands in Canada.
• Wetlands for Treatment of Mine Drainage