GEOG 431
Geography of Water Resources

Overview

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In Lesson 6, you will just begin to appreciate the valuable and valued biodiversity dependent upon freshwater aquatic ecosystems. Assignment 6.2 will lead you through the myriad of ecosystem services provided to us – mostly free of charge – by healthy aquatic habitats.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

  • describe basic ecological principles pertaining to all ecosystems, with a focus on aquatic ecosystems;
  • explain the diversity of freshwater-dependent animals;
  • explain the methodological approach of the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment team;
  • apply the methodological approach to a specific ecosystem.

Lesson Roadmap

This lesson is one week in length. Please refer to the Course Calendar in Canvas for specific time frames and due dates. To finish this lesson, you must complete the activities listed below.

Lesson 6: Activities
Requirements Assignment Details Access/Directions
To Read

Required

  • Chapter 6 – Aquatic ecosystems (p.195-232)
  • Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (2005). Ecosystems and human well-being: Wetlands and water. Synthesis. World Resources Institute, Washington, DC. 80pp. (PDF provided)

Optional

  • Russi et al. (2013) – The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity for Water and Wetlands. IEEP, London and Brussels; Ramsar Secretariat, Gland. (PDF provided)
  • The readings come directly from the course textbook (Holden 2020).
  • Registered students can access the hippo template and the additional readings under Lesson 6 in Canvas.
To Do
  • Assignment 6.1  - Choose a specific ecosystem service from the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Report for Water and Wetlands (2005), and write a no more than 2-page text report (not including citations) that defines and describes this ecosystem service or function, and discusses any potential threats.
  • Take Quiz 2 which will cover material from lessons 4, 5, and 6.
  • Submit your profile to the Assignment 6.1 - Ecosystem Description drop box under Lesson 6 in Canvas.
  • Registered students can access Quiz 2 under Lesson 6 in Canvas.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please post them to our Questions? discussion forum located under Orientation and Resources in Canvas. While you are there, feel free to post your own responses if you, too, are able to help out a classmate.