Schedule: 21.09.2026: Introduction to the course: structure, schedule, evaluation and expectated learning outcomes. Concepts of aquatic ecosystems, bioindicators, macroinvertebrates as bioindicators of river ecological quality. Definition and planning of 2–3 student projects (group and/or individual projects, depending on student numbers and interests). Online 9:00 - 11:00 21.09.2026: River functionality: Leaf litter decomposition. In person 14:00 - 17:00 22.09.2026: Field sampling of freshwater macroinvertebrates (river Queick, nearby the RSM facility in Landau). In person 09:00 - 11:00 22.09.2026: Examples of studies with macroinvertebrates, presentation of the results, data analysis. In person 14:00 - 16:00 23.09.2026: Laboratory processing of samples, identification of macrozoobenthos using microscopes and taxonomic keys. In person 09:00 - 16:00 24.09.2026: Laboratory processing of samples, identification of macrozoobenthos using microscopes and taxonomic keys, processing leaf litter samples. In person 09:00 - 14:00 24.09.2026: Analysis of the data processed in the lab, preparation of the group project presentation. Online 15:00 - 18:00 25.09.2026: Student presentations of macroinvertebrate project results, discussion of findings, synthesis of ecological and functional assessments and final theory test. In person 09:00 - 16:00 |
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