121-033 Environmental Hydrology A

Credit cannot be obtained for both this subject and former Faculty of Arts subjects 121-349 Principles of Environmental Hydrology or 121-350 Techniques in Environmental Hydrology.

Usually 37.5 points of second/third year subjects including 121-018 Geomorphology or 654-204 Ecology: Individuals and Populations or 606-204 Ecology: Communities and Ecosystems or equivalent as approved by the subject coordinator.

This subject examines principles in the two disciplines of hydrology and ecology, emphasising the use of both to understand environmental management problems in rivers. The subject examines water in terms of quantity and quality; the physical channel and floodplain systems in which it is conveyed and stored; and the population, community and ecosystem dynamics of the organisms that occupy these systems. Through practicals and fieldwork students should develop skills in acquiring, analysing and presenting hydrological data relating to catchment characteristics, and in identification and proper field sampling of stream biota. Students should become aware of the multidisciplinary nature of environmental management and the need for critical examination of ideas in the literature.

• be able to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature in applied ecology;

• be able to design, conduct and report on original research based on field and/or laboratory investigation;

• be able to work effectively in projects which require team-work;

• be able to use advanced numerical and computer techniques applicable to ecological analysis and interpretation.

• be able to conduct sample surveys and carry out basic quantification of water quantity and quality.

Practicals 20%, a field report of 3000 words 35% (due late May), a group exercise 25% (due late May) and a 2-hour exam 20% (during the examination period).