Description: This module introduces students to aquatic ecology and ecotoxicology with an emphasis on forecasting contaminant
effects in aquatic systems. Students explore the structure and functioning of lentic (standing water) and lotic (flowing water) ecosystems, as well as coastal environments, within the regulatory context of the European Water Framework Directive. The module trains students to apply forecasting approaches to assess ecological risks and predict contaminant impacts across species and levels of biological organisation. Forecasting exercises include modelling dose–response relationships, predicting adverse effects for untested compounds using Quantitative Structure–Activity Relationship (QSAR) models, performing trait based predictions of species sensitivities, and extrapolating laboratory findings to ecosystem-level outcomes through species sensitivity distributions.
Learning outcomes:
Explain ecological and ecotoxicological principles relevant to forecasting in aquatic systems.
Apply QSAR and trait-based models to predict contaminant effects on aquatic organisms.
Model dose–response relationships and derive species sensitivity distributions to assess ecological risk.
Integrate empirical data, statistical modelling, and forecasting methods to evaluate ecosystem-level impacts.
Critically assess the applicability and uncertainty of forecasts used in aquatic ecosystem management and policy frameworks.
Module group: Themes Module
Credits: 5 ECTS
Lecturers: Prof. Dr. Christian Laforsch