Course code VANN311

VANN311 Field Course in Alpine Limnology

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Showing course contents for the educational year 2021 - 2022 .

Course responsible: Thomas Rohrlack
Teachers: Gunnhild Riise, Johnny Kristiansen, Leif Ståle Haaland
ECTS credits: 5
Faculty: Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management
Teaching language: EN, NO
(NO=norsk, EN=Engelsk)
Limits of class size:
10
Teaching exam periods:
Field work last week in August. Labwork in autumn parallel. Evaluation in the autumn parallel.
Course frequency: Annually
First time: Study year 2017-2018
Preferential right:
M-MINA, M-ECOL and M-NF.
Course contents:
Limnological investigation: One week in the end of August will, in full, be used for intensive fieldwork, including lake water and sediment sampling, preparation and in¿situ measurements (temperature, conductivity, oxygen, light measurements). Laboratory analyses of the collected material will be followed up later in the autumn parallel. Lake water: pH, chlorophyll, turbidity, color, nutrients, major and minor elements. Lake sediments: DW, LOI, C/N, pigments and trace elements. In the autumn parallel two hours each week will be used to complete analyses, discussions, presentations and processing of the data for the final report.
Learning outcome:

Main aim: Broaden students insight in limnological processes in different climate zones with different human exposure in a long term perspective. Low level courses in limnology, generally, emphasize processes in low altitude lakes heavily impacted by humans. VANN311 aims to provide students with scientific skills in collecting, preparing and analyzing water and sediment samples from high altitude lakes in the Jotunheimen area. Anchored in experimental work and data handling, the students will (1) obtain knowledge on aquatic pristine systems vulnerable to climate change and long range transport of pollution, (2) get insight into natural processes that regulate the development of lakes in a long term perspective (reference lakes) for up to 4000 + years and (3) understand differences and similarities among various lake types in time and space.

After completing the course, students will be able to: Field work: Carry out limnological studies in mountain lakes based on lake water and sediment sampling. Laboratory work: Conduct central physical, chemical and biological analyses in mountain lakes. Data handling: Estimate uncertainty and statistical relationships related to the collected material. Synthesis: Understand that the development of lakes are regulated by an interplay of factors, where key variables may differ in space and time.

Learning activities:
Field and laboratory work, discussions and self-tuition, report writing.
Teaching support:
The teachers are available during regular office hours and Canvas will be used actively.
Syllabus:

Brittain, J.E. and Borgstrøm, R. (eds.) 2010. The subalpine lake ecosystem, Øvre Heimdalsvatn, and its catchment: local and global changes over the last 50 years. Developments in Hydrobiologia 211, Springer Dordrechs.

Vik, R. (ed.) 1978. The lake Øvre Heimdalsvatn a subalpine freshwater ecosystem. Holarctic Ecology 1, no. 2-3: 81-320.

Standardized analytical methods.

Prerequisites:
VANN210 (Limnology), VANN211 (methodology course in limnology) and VANN300 or similar background.
Recommended prerequisites:
Mandatory activity:
Participation in field and laboratory work, presentations and discussions (80 % presence required).
Assessment:

Portfolio assessment:

  • Continuous evaluation during field, laboratory and presentation work (30 %). The students must show skills in field and laboratory methods, participate in discussions and demonstrate an overview of processes regulating limnological processes in mountain lakes compared to low latitude lakes.
  • The final presentation (poster or similar, 70 %) must contain a description of methods, uncertainties and discuss the interplay among different limnological processes in space and time for mountain lakes to receive passing grade.

Both parts must be passed to pass the course.

Grading system: Passed/Not passed.

Nominal workload:
125 hours.
Entrance requirements:
Special requirements in Science
Note:
The course will represent a continuation of VANN211.
Examiner:
External examiner actively assures the quality of the course content and teaching.
Examination details: Portfolio: Passed / Not Passed