Fresh Water Ecology

Fresh Water Ecology


Background on UTS 'Freshwater Ecology' 'Freshwater Ecology' is a final year undergraduate research-based subject offered by the Department of Environmental Sciences at UTS. The programme targets one geographical area of study each year, where research information from a number of research groups and community stakeholders can come together to improve environmental awareness and identify issues for attention. Often the results of the research form a basis for remedial works, such as stream and wetland restoration, flora and fauna protection, catchment improvement such as soil erosion reduction, control of exotic species, reduction of pathogenic micro-organisms, re-forestation, and general community education. The students engage in current, topical, environmental conservation issues and this requires close contact with the wider community. This objective is quite unique in university undergraduate science because it goes beyond the development of good scientists, towards a broader conservation thrust for the preservation and restoration of the natural environment outside the classroom. There is a focus on education for the environment as well as about the environment. Community participation is paramount in the process because all research topics come directly from local residents and institutional representatives (see list of community suggestions). Thus another aim of the UTS subject 'Freshwater Ecology' is to gain "street credibility" for the work that is undertaken by researching topics that are supplied by the community. Local people can be involved directly in the research as helpers, or perhaps run their own study independently or under the supervision of professionals and university experts. New knowledge is actively disseminated by researchers when working with the community, or via other means such as an environmental field day, public seminars and a written report. The process followed is guided at two levels and time scales. One is the 3-month scientific research methodology for each study encompassing observations, measurements, analysis, and interpretations of data leading to conclusions about the state of the natural environment. The second is an over-arching guide provided by a year-to-year cycle of community input, building up of information, evaluation of the usefulness of research and learning objectives, as well as forging links between stakeholders to address environmental problems in the study region. We offer an invitation to community members to contribute to future reports, be that as individuals, government or NGO representatives, as well as those from the Secondary or wider Tertiary Education sector. If you would like further information about research in this report, or opportunities for participation in the next cycle of projects, please contact the Department of Environmental Sciences at UTS. We hope this information provides useful information for your study, work and enjoyment. For a list of the completed projects click here Peter Jones & Richard Lim Department of Environmental Sciences University of Technology, Sydney 1st March 2003