Modules

Prerequisites

Contents

Anthropogenic impact and current state of lakes, reservoirs, streams and rivers, quality assessment. Ecosystem services as target of management and restoration, impact of climate change on water bodies, strategies and planning of freshwater restoration, stream system rehabilitation and its limits, measures for in-stream habitat and floodplain enhancement, rehabilitation measures in the catchment, costs and benefits of restoration projects. General concepts and guidelines of lake and reservoir management, restoration principles, eco-engineering measures and other aspects of modern management of natural and artifical standing waters. Case studies of restoration and best management practice will be presented and discussed.

Learning outcomes

Students know the basic principles and main methods of freshwater restoration and are able to assess the potential, but also the limitations, of restoration measures to mitigate or reverse human impacts. Students will be familiar with current methods and guidelines for evaluating surface water quality and restoration, as well as eco-engineering approaches to water management. Students will know cases of best-practice restoration and management.

Assessment

Written examination (80 minutes) at the end of the semester covering the main topics of the lectures and the seminar talks. Students will need to perform a seminar on an individual topic (20 min presentation and 20 min discussion). The exam result will contribute 65%, the presentation and post-presentation discussion 25%, active seminar participation 10%. Handing in protocols of the two excursions will gain extra points (2,5% of the total score for each protocol).