CORE 946 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN RIVERS

TEXTBOOK:  The Biology of Streams and Rivers by Giller, P and B. Malmqvist.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:  An introduction to environments and biology of rivers, followed by comparative case studies of the geography, natural history, and human exploitation, pollution, management, and efforts to conserve and restore rivers.  Reports and presentations are required on environmental conditions and issues in rivers selected from among the world's largest and most important ones.  Comparative examples from North Carolina's rivers will be introduced in class and on an optional field trip.

COURSE OBFECTIVES:  Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Explain the general ecology of rivers, including the more important influences on hydrology, channel geomorphology, biological productivity, and ecosystem stability.
• Describe and analyze examples of degradation of environmental values of rivers in different parts of the world by water pollution and habitat destruction.
• Describe and analyze examples of both destructive and sustainable management of rivers on several continents, including actions such a flow regulation, harvest of biological resources, and transport of people and materials.
• Describe and explain major issues in biological conservation of rivers on several continents, including concepts of biodiversity and ecosystem services.
• Evaluate claims of different interest groups, including conservationists, governmental agencies, and industries, for the benefits of preferred strategies for managing rivers.

TOPICS COVERED:

• Geographic Overview of Large Rivers
• General Hydrology of River Systems
• General Geomorphology of Rivers
• Physical and Chemical Environmental Factors in Rivers
• Principle Biotic Components of River Ecosystems
• Animal Community Ecology of Rivers
• Patterns of Biological Energy Flow in River Ecosystems
• Pollutants of Rivers
• Overview of North Carolina Rivers
• Indicators of Water Quality in Rivers
• Forms and Purposes of Flow Management
• Major Environmental Issues in Chosen Rivers
• Conservation of Biological Resources in Rivers
• Examples of Current Environmental Issues in Rivers
• Sustainable uses of River Ecosystems
• Approaches to Conserving and Restoring River Ecosystems