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70803-01 - Internship: Ecology and Identification of Freshwater Algae (1 CP)
| Semester | spring semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Every spring sem. |
| Lecturers | Lydia King (lydia.king@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Day 1: After a brief introduction to the aquatic flora, we will discuss all necessary information for sampling algae (e.g. growth forms). We will take samples of phytobenthos and diatoms at a local river – please think of suitable clothing and shoes – and then look at the samples in the laboratory. Day 2: We will engage with the eukaryotic, benthic algae. After a theoretical introduction to the most important characteristics, we will look at and identify various taxa under the microscope. Day 3: We will concentrate on prokaryotic algae in theory and praxis and touch on macrophytes. Day 4: We will work on diatoms and their application in biological water quality assessment, again first theoretically and then by analysing and evaluating the samples we took on day 1. Day 5: We want to discuss different methods of biological water quality assessment using aquatic flora through short presentations by the participants. |
| Learning objectives | The students will get an overview over freshwater algae and their habitats. They will be able to identify common taxa using available literature. The students will be able to take and analyse samples of diatoms and other phytobenthos from rivers and will be able to discuss the results in a wider context. |
| Bibliography | - Dieter Krauter, Heinz Streble, Annegret Bäuerl: Das Leben im Wassertropfen, Kosmos Verlag - Antje Gutowski und Julia Förster: LANUV Arbeitsblatt 9 (2009): Benthische Algen ohne Diatomeen und Characeen, Bestimmungshilfe, https://www.lanuv.nrw.de/fileadmin/lanuvpubl/4_arbeitsblaetter/40009.pdf - Antje Gutowski und Julia Förster: LANUV Arbeitsblatt 2 (2009), Benthische Algen ohne Diatomeen und Characeen, Feldführer, https://www.lanuv.nrw.de/fileadmin/lanuvpubl/4_arbeitsblaetter/40002.pdf - Lange-Bertalot, H., Hofmann, G., Werum, M. and Cantonati, M. (2017) Freshwater Benthic Diatoms of Central Europe: Over 800 Common Species Used in Ecological Assessment. English edition with updated taxonomy and added species. Koeltz Botanical Books, Schmitten-Oberreifenberg, 942 pp. - Klaus van de Weyer: Bestimmungsschlüssel für die aquatischen Makrophyten in Deutschland, Band 1: Bestimmungsschlüssel - Fachbeiträge, Heft 119 https://lfu.brandenburg.de/lfu/de/ueber-uns/veroeffentlichungen/detail/~13-02-2023-bestimmungsschluessel-fuer-die-aquatischen-makrophyten-in-deutschland-band-1-bestimmungs - Klaus van de Weyer: Bestimmungsschlüssel für die aquatischen Makrophyten in Deutschland, Band 2: Abbildungen - Fachbeiträge, Heft 120 https://lfu.brandenburg.de/lfu/de/ueber-uns/veroeffentlichungen/detail/~13-02-2023-bestimmungsschluessel-fuer-die-aquatischen-makrophyten-in-deutschland-band-2-abbildungen - David M. John et al. (2021): The Freshwater Algal Flora of the British Isles. An identification Guide to Freshwater and Terrestrial Algae. Cambridge University Press |
| Comments | The course is limited to 12 participants. |
| Course application | The course is restricted to 12 participants. |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Friday | 13.15-17.00 | Vesalianum, Kleiner Hörsaal (O1.13) |
| wöchentlich | Friday | 13.15-17.00 | Vesalianum, Praktikumsraum (O1.20) |
| Comments | Zeit und Ort folgt |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 20.02.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Vesalianum, Kleiner Hörsaal (O1.13) |
| Friday 20.02.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Vesalianum, Praktikumsraum (O1.20) |
| Friday 27.02.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Fasnachtsferien |
| Friday 27.02.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Fasnachtsferien |
| Friday 06.03.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Vesalianum, Kleiner Hörsaal (O1.13) |
| Friday 06.03.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Vesalianum, Praktikumsraum (O1.20) |
| Friday 13.03.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Vesalianum, Kleiner Hörsaal (O1.13) |
| Friday 13.03.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Vesalianum, Praktikumsraum (O1.20) |
| Friday 20.03.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Vesalianum, Kleiner Hörsaal (O1.13) |
| Friday 20.03.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Vesalianum, Praktikumsraum (O1.20) |
| Friday 27.03.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Vesalianum, Kleiner Hörsaal (O1.13) |
| Friday 27.03.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Vesalianum, Praktikumsraum (O1.20) |
| Friday 03.04.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Ostern |
| Friday 03.04.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Ostern |
| Friday 10.04.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | --, -- |
| Friday 10.04.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Vesalianum, Kleiner Hörsaal (O1.13) |
| Friday 17.04.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | --, -- |
| Friday 17.04.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Vesalianum, Kleiner Hörsaal (O1.13) |
| Friday 24.04.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | --, -- |
| Friday 24.04.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Vesalianum, Kleiner Hörsaal (O1.13) |
| Friday 01.05.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Tag der Arbeit |
| Friday 01.05.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Tag der Arbeit |
| Friday 08.05.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | --, -- |
| Friday 08.05.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Vesalianum, Kleiner Hörsaal (O1.13) |
| Friday 15.05.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Auffahrt |
| Friday 15.05.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Auffahrt |
| Friday 22.05.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | --, -- |
| Friday 22.05.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Vesalianum, Kleiner Hörsaal (O1.13) |
| Friday 29.05.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | --, -- |
| Friday 29.05.2026 | 13.15-17.00 | Vesalianum, Kleiner Hörsaal (O1.13) |
| Modules |
Module: Palaeoecology and Freshwater Ecology (Master's Studies: Geosciences) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | Pass / Fail |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Science, studiendekanat-philnat@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Geowissenschaften |