Aquatic Resource Management

It is impossible to overestimate the current and future importance of global water resource availability, security, and quality in terms of both ecosystem integrity and human health.

Natural Resources Conservation: Aquatic Resource Management Concentration Courses

Water Law, Policy, and Regulation

This course explores:
a) how and why U.S. water law and policy have changed over time including the influence of new stressors in the future
b) specific laws, policies, and regulations governing water allocation and conservation of water resources, and protection and restoration of riparian zones and floodplain, wetlands, and water quality
c) case studies showing successes, shortcomings, and lessons learned

Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems

This course helps students develop the skills needed to:
a) define benchmark restoration conditions for aquatic/terrestrial transition zones (ATTZs)
b) identify the degree to which ecosystem structure and function of ATTZs have been lost
c) identify the effects of altered land cover on watershed process
d) develop short- and long-term management plans.

Assessment of Aquatic Resources

This course entails a scientific study of the physical, chemical, and biological attributes of water bodies (lakes, wetlands, and streams) to determine the level of potential impairment based on systematically collected data. This provides the student with the basic skills and knowledge to collect useful data typically required during the assessment phase of resource management efforts.