Time Schedule:
Thomas P Quinn
FISH 312
Seattle Campus
Ecological characteristics of fishes and shellfishes in the important freshwater and marine habitats of North America. Relationship between physical aspects of the habitats and community structure. Impacts of human activities on diversity and abundance. Prerequisite: either BIOL 162 or 220; recommended: FISH 210; FISH 311. Offered: Sp.
Class description
Goal: Most fisheries problems occur and are addressed in definable habitats, though migratory species depend on several habitats. 312's goal is to examine a variety of North American aquatic habitats and explain the physical factors (such as temperature, substrate, salinity, etc.), biotic factors (chiefly predation and competition) and human-related factors (dams, pollution, water removal, fishing, logging, etc.) that affect the diversity and abundance of fishes. We will thus explore the ways in which the important themes of basic and applied ecology are played out in different aquatic habitats. 312 will focus on North American habitats because 1) we have best access to the information, 2) students can identify with these habitats, 3) this focus will help them in their careers and 4) we have several representative habitats to examine near campus. This course will teach students to link general ecological principles with specific habitats and species. It will deal with applied aspects such as exotic species, fishing and habitat alteration but will be designed around habitats rather than specific land-use and management issues. Linkages will be drawn between habitats by both their physical aspects (flow from stream to river or lake, riverine and tidal aspects of estuaries, etc.) and biological aspects such as migration between habitats.
Fisheries Ecology (FISH 312) Spring 1998 Schedule
Mon. Day Topic Mar 30 Course introduction, schedule, review principles April 1 Review community, population & behavioral ecology 3 Review community ecology Lab Computer lab, review of salmon life history
6 NW coastal streams: Physical characteristics 8 NW coastal streams: Fish fauna 10 Impacts of logging on stream habitats 10-11 Field Issaquah Creek: habitat, fishes.
13 Columbia River: Physical characteristics and dam effects 15 Columbia River: Predation and fisheries 17 Hatcheries Lab Computer lab: Analyse data from Issaquah Creek; Computer modeling: plankton vertical migration
20 Introduction to limnology, morphoedaphic index 22 Biological aspects of fish production in lakes 24 Human impacts: thermal effluent and acid rain Field Zooplankton and fishes in Lake Washington: foraging ecology.
27 Great Lakes: Physical traits; lake trout, sea lamprey: Issaquah paper due 29 Great Lakes: cisco, smelt, alewife; pollution May 1 Mid-Term Exam Lab Examination of Lake Washington zooplankton
4 Estuaries: General physical characteristics 6 Estuaries and larval retention/emigration 8 Chesapeake and San Francisco bays Lab Analysis of Lake Washington stomach samples
11 Grand Bank: oceanography, fauna and history 13 Bering Sea fauna and fisheries 15 Puget Sound: fish communities 15-16 Field Trawling in Puget Sound
18 Puget Sound: contaminants and fish 20 Ocean production; Central North Pacific 22 High seas salmon: distribution and growth; Lake Washington paper due Field Duwamish River restoration sites
25 Holiday - Memorial Day 27 North Pacific: driftnet fishing 29 Coral Reefs: distribution and fauna Lab Ideal Free Distribution Theory experiment
June 1 Coral reefs: fisheries, silt and starfish 3 Endangered species: Desert fishes 5 Summary of fisheries ecology Port Madison paper due
June 10 2:30 - 4:20 Final Exam
Student learning goals
General method of instruction
Lectures, illustrated with slides and overheads, dialog with students, field trips and labs, and writing papers in scientific method.
Recommended preparation
Basic background in biological science; coursework in fisheries or aquatic science is desirable but not essential. Students from departments outside fisheries (e.g., zoology, forestry, oceanography, civel engineering) are encouraged to enroll.
Class assignments and grading
We will take field trips to three aquatic habitats: a small stream (Issaquah Creek), Lake Washington, and Puget Sound. On each trip we will collect scientific data to test specific ecological hypotheses. In the caseof the Lake Washington trip, we will also bring samples back for analysis in the lab. These data will be the basis for three papers, to be written in scientific format. The papers will be carefully edited by the Instructor, as writing is a key skill to be learned in the class. These papers will also require (and we will teach) basic skills in data analysis and graphics.
Grades for the course will be based on a mid-term exam (15%), a final exam (25%) and three papers based on the field trips (10, 20 and 20%, respectively) and participation in field and lab work (10%). The majority of the grade thus rests on the field and lab work, and papers associated with them. If papers are handed in on time, they will be returned before the next one is due. This will allow you to study my comments and make necessary adjustments in the next paper. The first paper will not be accepted after the second is due, the second after the third is due, and the third after the final exam, except under extraordinary circumstances.
