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Field Studies of Freshwater Fishes - EEB 486

3 credits

Prerequisites: Two college-level courses in Biology and/or EEB, or permission of instructor.

Satisfies requirements for: BS, PitE Practical Experience, Biology Lab, EEB Field/Research, and EEB Biodiversity

Meets: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Instructors: Karen AlofsHernan Lopez-Fernandez

Course Description

As climate warms, the fish species in our local waterways are changing. In this class you will learn how to sample freshwater habitats, collect data and museum specimens for studying trends over time, and understand how changing habitat characteristics affect fish community composition. You will learn to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of various research approaches and will sample a variety of freshwater habitats including Douglas Lake, cold and warm water streams, and the nearshore of the Great Lakes. Through first-hand observation you will learn both the key interactions between fish and their environments and how interactions among fishes influence their populations and communities. The class will also examine the varied impacts that humans have on Michigan fish communities and the services they provide.