ULC Course Description

PrintPrint this page  EmailE-mail this page 
Wetland Stream Ecology BASIC
Control Number: 192
Course Number: 33FSE01A
Length:32
CEUs: 2.6     PDHs: 0.0     LUs: 0.0     PDUs: 0.0     CMs: 0.0     ACE: 0.0     CEHs: 0.0
Purpose:
A knowledge of the state-of-the-science wetland stream ecology is required to formulate science based Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) projects which are critical to the mission of the CE Civil Works Program. Additionally, NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) and Clean Water Act (Section 404) driven wetland mitigation alternatives require an understanding of modern basic stream ecology which is holistic, landscape focused based on a systems approach to the biological, chemical, physical and geological components. Students will collect and identify wetland stream flora (botanical/plant) including the dominant vascular flowering plants and algae associated with streams. Laboratory and field work will be directed at identifying the benthic (bottom dwelling) stream macro and microinvertebrates important to stream water quality, nutrient cycling and food web linkages. A revolutionary new focus will be to develop a knowledge of stream geofluvial processes important to shaping and reshaping the active modern river channel and its associated floodplain in a geological time frame. Participants will meet on a one-on-one basic leading international and national experts in the field of stream ecology. Problem solving field exercises will be conducted and facilitated by these experts and class facilitators to develop an understanding of altered stream ecology and its impacts on selected ESA species inhabitating western river systems. Students will receive hands-on field training in the application and interpretaion of piezometers to understand the importance of upwelling and downwelling zones in a stream. This course is a prerequisite for PROSPECT Course 426, Wetland River Function and Ecology.

Description:
Topics include: (1) A holistic and landscape driven approach to wetland stream ecology, (2) Introduction to the identification of flora and fauna of wetland stream systems with a strong focus on western regional stream systems, (3) Introduction to the processes and effects of geofluvial morphology on stream systems, (4) Focus on stream water quality factors including nutrients, sediments and catchment areas, (5) Application of the new stream ecology knowledge to understanding and developing ESA (Endangered Species Act) mitigation alternatives ie Bull Trout, etc.(6) The importance of stream order, catchment size and location in a watershed upon the ecological dynamics-specifically aquatic food webs (7) Targeted daily field work to flowages of various stream order size and character re-inforce class instruction.

Prerequisites:
Noninees may be assigned from engineering, construction, regulatory, planning, natural resources, program and project management business lines and pacticies within the Corps of Engineers and other Federal Agencies. Occupational Series: Open to all including navigation, flood control and the environment. Due to the physical requirements of the field work integral to the course, potential students should be able to safely wade in flowing streams and rivers and negotiate rocks and large woody debris as the class traverses a range of waterbodies in field exercises.

Notes:



If you would like to enroll in a class, click here for more information.

If you are already enrolled and have questions about a class see links below.

For course dates, locations, and enrollment information, click here.
For course content, purpose, description or prerequisites, click here.


Sessions: This information is updated nightly and may be up to 24 hours old.
SessionLocationStart DateEnd DateSeats Open