300351 VO Algae in Freshwaters (2024W)

The aim of the modular lecture series is to allow students to focus on specific topics both during the lectures and when selecting examination topics, without having to cover the entire spectrum from the general section on algae (1), algal ecophysiology (with emphasis on nutrients and pigments, 2a/b), and applications of algal ecophysiology (with emphasis on water quality based on algae, such as the EU Water Framework Directive and climate change, 3a/b), unless they wish to do so in detail. Information on when specific topics will be covered will be announced during the lecture or can be requested via email.
The AIM of the lecture is to show the diverse physiological strategies of algae as primary producers in freshwaters bodies to understand, in turn, how algal mass development can be controlled (e.g. sustained lake restoration), how algae can be used to verify water quality (e.g. biocenotic water quality assessment according to the Water Framework Directive) and how vulnerable bodies and algae respond to climate change (significant trends and their causal impact on lake conditions that directly or indirectly affect algal development). Attending this lecture, students might benefit from an eco-physiological knowledge of "algae in freshwaters", associated with of algal-specific basic research and applications.
In terms of the CONTENT, the lecture focuses mainly on planktonic algae, but includes also benthic algae and macrophytes in different types of freshwaters. The lecture has a modular structure (three modules). After a general introduction about the role of primary producers in different water bodies (Module_1), a further Module_2 (ecophysiology of algae: nutrients, lake restoration, 2A; pigments, algal species composition, algal biomass, photosynthesis, 2B) and Module_3 (application: response to global warming on lakes identified by algae, 3A; water quality assessment by algae according to the Water Framework Directive, 3B) are followed up. The second module about eco-physiological aspects focuses on the resource use by algae (nutrient uptake in the micro- and nano-molar concentration range, nutrient reduction in lakes and concepts for sustained lake restoration, ecological stoichiometry, pigment pattern, marker pigments, light acclimatization, algal pigments as proxy for algal biomass, photosynthesis) and the interaction of algae (phytoplankton) with the macrophytes and the bacterial plankton and zooplankton. The third module aims at relevant applied topics of EU research funding: the assessment of algal community structures acc. to the EU Water Framework Directive and the response to climate change by lakes and algae.
In terms of methods, in the lecture the eco-physiological knowledge is linked in many ways with applied topics such as sustainable lake restoration, climate change and the Water Framework Directive. In addition, analytical methods of data treatment for Modules_2 and _3 are used interactively by computers, demonstrating, among other things, how correlative relationships, assessment of time series, etc. are used to identify significant impacts (example data sets are provided during lecture and Moodle). In addition to the lecture material, the handout (Moodle, there are also voice recordings) as well as sample data sets and electronically processed display and analysis methods are used for in-depth study. The lecture aims to be held face-to-face in 2022, but - if required, students can also benefit from the online VL (Skype) in addition or as alternative.