LEARNING OUTCOMES:
1. can use geographic maps and other geographic tools to locate and derive information about people, places, and environments
2. describe the history of humans in the region and their impacts on fragile karstic freshwater ecosystems
3. demonstrate skills in field techniques with particular reference to sampling strategies and methods
4. can use different instruments for in-situ measurements of physical and chemical parameters
5. demonstrate the role of biota in a wide range of natural communities
6. learn and understand the role of tectonic processes in the creation of structures
7. understand the evolution of a small, but highly complex and variable part of the Karst
8. critically evaluate the diversity of interdisciplinary data and select those that are important for understanding the geological evolution and spatial distribution of species
9. demonstrate knowledge how to consolidate interdisciplinary data and write a report
COURSE CONTENT:
The course is interdisciplinary and focuses on the interaction of geology and development of communities, and on history of humans in the region and their impacts on fragile karstic freshwater ecosystems. Students get acquainted with ecological characteristics of terrestrial and freshwater habitats, including specific subterranean habitats. Special attention is paid to the intermittent and perennial karst springs, streams and ground water habitats and to different adaptations and life history strategies of aquatic invertebrates. This field course is an introduction to the geology of External Dinarides. Through the use of specific field examples, students are introduced to geoscience concepts such as: lithostratigraphic composition of area, geological history of area, processes affecting the surface. After completing the field course, the student should be able to use proper sampling methods (spot and channel sampling), and explain stratigraphy and petrology of the region, clastic and carbonate sedimentary systems and hydrology and environmental processes (groundwater and Karst interactions). Students are divided into small groups, have their own small projects and field course ends with the presentation of results and writing of the final report.
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Pristupačnost
