Module 34

Laurentian University
Ontario Universities Program in Field Biology

Course Title :

Methods in Aquatic Biodiversity Assessment
Instructor(s) : Dr. John Gunn and George Morgan, Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit
(705)675-4831                     

Chris Jones, Benthic Biomonitoring Scientist, OMOE                  

David Kreutzweiser, Canadian Forestry Service                                     
Date(s) : Aug. 22nd to Sept. 4 th, 2010 (2 weeks Laurentian 0.5 credit)
Location :

Field camp on Hannah Lake in Sudbury, Ontario (10 days

Research centre at Killarney Provincial Park, ON. (4 days)
Cost :

$900. for OUPFB credit students
*$250 Deposit due at registration at your home university; Final payment (i.e. student $650) in the form of a money order or certified cheque must be submitted on the day of arrival in Sudbury. 

Final payment should be made out to Laurentian University.
Prerequisites :

 
Description : Students will be introduced to a wide variety of field methods for use in assessing the effects of multiple stressors (e.g. climate change, excessive exploitation, acidification, shoreline development) on the biodiversity of Boreal Shield lakes. The emphasis will be on sampling fish, benthic invertebrates and zooplankton using standard methods currently employed by government agencies in Canada and Scandinavia.  All participants will first be trained in boat safety and will obtain an official pleasure boat operators card.  They will then receive extensive class, lab and field training in proper sampling design, sampling equipment and procedures, species identification, sample processing, and data management.  Teams of participants will perform an actual biodiversity survey as well as special projects tailored to student interests.  Special projects will be designed to allow students to access extensive comparable data within the instructors data bases.  Included in the course is a 4 day trip to Killarney Park to sample some of the clearest and most beautiful lakes in the country.  Lectures from the instructors and several additional experts will be interspersed throughout the course.

On the first day of the course, each participant will be required to present a 15-minute seminar on a topic related to sampling methodology.  The seminar topics will be selected in May 2010.  They are collectively intended to provide a background for the course, and they must be prepared in advance.  During the course, students are expected to take detailed and organized field and laboratory notes, which will be graded.  Each participant must also submit a scientific paper on the data collected during the course, one month after the field work is complete.

All participants must provide their own transportation to Sudbury, arriving before 5:00pm on Aug. 22.  Van pick up from bus station will be provided.  Parking at the Co-op Unit in Sudbury (1222 Ramsey Lake Road) is limited, so please car pool or travel by bus.  Accommodation in Sudbury is in a dormitory style field camp with all meals provided.  Camping in Killarney requires participants are to bring a sleeping bag, tent, flashlight, etc. (details to follow).  All meals will be provided in Killarney except for two dinners at local restaurant.

Enrollment : 12 people
Evaluation : 20% seminar, 50% research paper, 30% field notes and participation
Assignment(s) :  
Additional Information: Restrictions: All registrants in the course must be able to swim, and be physically fit enough for hiking, boating and extensive field work in potentially inclement weather.