Course title: Headwater Stream Ecology and Fish-Forestry Interactions
Course number: Bio 498 Special Topics
Instructor: Dr. Eric Mellina
e-mail: mellina@interchange.ubc.ca
Course description:
This course introduces stream ecology through a combination of lectures and laboratory/field exercises,
combining classical concepts with the latest research being conducted on headwater stream ecosystems
and their responses to forest management practices. Lectures will cover a wide range of physical,
chemical, and biological topics in order to better integrate biological interactions within the physicochemical environment. The first part of the course will introduce the general physical and geological
processes governing small streams ecosystems and their connections with riparian systems. The second
part of the course will introduce the general biological interactions occurring in headwater streams, and
will include energy transfers, food webs, and community structure. The ecological roles and trophic
relationships of a wide taxonomic array of organisms ranging from primary and secondary producers to
top predators will be explored, with a focus on the ecology and habitat requirements of salmonid fishes
(Pacific salmon, trout, and char). Given the forestry-based economy of north-central BC, the last part of
the course will examine the impacts of streamside logging practices on small stream ecosystems, with
particular emphasis on the effects on fish and their fluvial habitats. Past and current forestry management
practices will be assessed in terms of their ability to protect fisheries and other aquatic resources, drawing
on recent fish-forestry research and focusing on management issues relevant to British Columbia. Fish
habitat rehabilitation and enhancement will also be introduced. Guest lecturers from government and
consulting agencies will be scheduled to help broaden student exposure to the range of issues facing
British Columbia fisheries and forestry managers.
Objectives of the course:
The goal of this course is to provide an introduction to the principles of, and methodologies used in, small
stream ecology. Our ultimate objective is to achieve an understanding of the biological communities of
headwater stream ecosystems, the processes that drive and link them, and their responses to riparian forest
management practices. This requires an understanding the physical, chemical, and geological processes
that interact to structure the aquatic environment. By semester’s end, students will gain a comprehensive
understanding of (and familiarity with) contemporary stream ecology, together with the field and
laboratory methods commonly used by stream ecologists.
Lecture topics
The tentative outline of topics is as follows (note that these may change without notice). This outline is a
general conceptual guide, and not all topics may be covered in exactly this order or format. Note that the
course emphasis will primarily be on the biological and management issues components, with a general
introduction given to the topics dealing with the physical components.
Physical
Geomorphology of streams: origin, classification, reaches, channel units
The riparian-stream system
Water quality: temperature, pH, turbidity, oxygen, conductivity
Stream heat budgets
Groundwater and hyporheic exchange
Flow and discharge
Nutrient dynamics
Sediment
Fish habitat and large woody debris
Headwater Stream Ecology Course Syllabus Sept. 2007
1
Biology
River continuum concept
Aquatic invertebrates: functional feeding guilds, drift, benthos
Salmonid ecology and bioenergetics
Aquatic food webs
Indixes of biotic integrity
Salmon as a keystone species in stream ecosystems
Winter ecology of stream fish
Management Issues
Logging and roads: effects on streams and fish
Road crossings and fish swimming abilities
Mass wasting and land slides
Cumulative effects and recovery of streams from disturbances
Effects of logging on fish and their habitats
Riparian management in BC
Stream restoration
Exotic species introductions
Laboratory component
A lab/field component will provide practical experience with the principles and methodologies introduced
during lectures and in the readings. Hands-on experience is always desirable in any ecology course, but
conditions during the winter months in a northern, temperate locale like Prince George limit much of
what can be done in terms of stream field work. A field trip to McMillan Creek situated near downtown
Prince George is planned during March and will be used as a model system to further reinforce concepts
introduced in class and in the labs. However, no guarantee can be given that this will take place and will
only occur if conditions are suitable. Final decisions may have to be made at the last minute so please be
prepared to be flexible. Note that the field trip(s) may take place on a weekend and will last the better part
of the day. Announcements will be made in class as soon as information becomes available in order to
give students time to make appropriate arrangements. Please be on time for all field trips, as late arrivals
will be left behind when the bus leaves campus.
Laboratory and field trip policy: The labs and field trips form an integral part of the learning experience,
and as a result participation in these is mandatory. It is also the student’s responsibility to read any
assigned laboratory exercises prior to the laboratory meeting.
Because of normal winter weather, exercises at the beginning of the semester will focus on data analysis
and introductions to methods used in stream ecology. Field methods will be emphasized during the
scheduled trip to McMillan Creek. In the event that we are unable to conduct field sampling, alternate
laboratory exercises will be introduced instead. Note that although a lab is scheduled each week, during
some weeks a regular classroom lecture may be substituted for the lab. Lab times and locations will be
announced.
The following tentative laboratory topics will be explored (these may change without notice):
Stream order, delineation of watershed boundaries, channel attributes
Riparian management areas
Stream habitat assessments
Fish morphology and adaptations, ageing methods
Salmonid life histories
Taxonomy and Identification of BC fish
Headwater Stream Ecology Course Syllabus Sept. 2007
2
Invertebrate life-histories and identification
Introduction to water quality measurements
Introduction to sampling techniques for primary and secondary productivity
Introduction to fish sampling techniques
Culverts and fish passage
Statistical analyses of stream data
Field trip (McMillan Creek) tentatively scheduled for spring
Text: There is no course text book, but there are required and recommended readings.
Recommended texts (placed on reserve in the library)
Allan, J. D. and Castillo, María. 2007. Stream Ecology. Structure and Function of Running Waters. 2nd
ed. Springer (also available at the UNBC bookstore).
This is the best available, up to date, summary of stream ecology and will serve as a reference text.
Anyone interested in stream ecology should have a copy for future reference.
Groot and Margolis [eds.] 1991. Pacific salmon life histories. UBC Press.
Hauer, F.R. and G.A. Lamberti. 1996. Methods in stream ecology. Academic Press, San Diego, CA.
Meehan 1991. Influences of forest and rangeland management on salmonid fishes and their habitat.
American Fisheries Society Publication 19, Bethesda, Maryland.
Slaney and Zaldokas. [ed.]. 1997. Fish habitat rehabilitation procedures. Watershed Restoration Technical
Circular No. 9. BC Watershed Restoration Program.
A detailed list of readings (both REQUIRED and recommended) will be provided on the class website.
Additions, deletions or substitutions may be made throughout the semester and these will be posted on the
website.
Tentative Grading Scheme:
Midterm exam (25%)
Laboratory exams (30%)
Final exam (45%).
Changes to the grading scheme may include student presentations, lab reports, and paper critiques. Note
that the final grading scheme will be announced during the first class of the semester.
Extensions on assignments are not permitted, except in case of illness or due to serious extenuating
circumstance. In the event of illness or serious extenuating circumstance, the student must inform the
instructor before the due date, and documentary evidence of the illness or serious extenuating
circumstance must be provided to the instructor (e.g., a physician’s note). In addition, the instructor may
request that the student provide the instructor with a draft of his or her assignment at the time of the
illness or serious extenuating circumstance that indicates that substantial progress has been made towards
the final product. Assignments that are not submitted on the due date receive a grade of zero.
Courtesy: As a courtesy to the instructor and fellow students, please be certain that your cell phones are
turned off during class. If you are late for class, please enter quietly and sit near the door so that you do
not disturb other students.
Headwater Stream Ecology Course Syllabus Sept. 2007
3
Exam policy: Excused absences and makeup exams will be granted for medical reasons only and these
must be supported by written documentation provided by a physician. Please note that the term ends on
the final day of the exam period, NOT on the last day of classes. Students are advised not to make
arrangements to travel on a date prior to the date of the final exam as scheduled by the Registrar. The
instructor will not hold exams early for the purpose of accommodating travel requests.
The midterm exam will include all the material up to and including the class prior to the exam. All
material presented and discussed in class and during the lab periods, as well as that contained in required
readings, will be considered eligible for testing.
Plagiarism is extremely serious and will not be tolerated by the instructor, the Program, or the University.
Students are subject to all university regulations and policies as outlined in the Calendar.
Headwater Stream Ecology Course Syllabus Sept. 2007
4