This course is taught at the Semester in Environmental Sciences (SES) Program at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Estuarine ecosystems are strongly influenced by terrestrial inputs, and changes in the quantity and quality of water flowing from land into these ecosystems are altering their function. This course examines how human activities on land alter flow of water and water-borne materials from coastal watersheds to adjoining estuaries. Field work focusing on local watershed-estuary systems will explore how changes in land use have increased nutrient inputs to Cape Cod estuaries, and how the estuarine ecosystems have changed as a consequence. Activities will include sampling of groundwater and surface water; laboratory analyses of nutrient content and other parameters that help diagnose human impacts; and estimation of nutrient input rates (using field-based calculations as well modeling techniques) to different estuaries. This course fosters fundamental understanding of principles in watershed hydrology and biogeochemistry as well as advanced exploration of coupling between terrestrial and aquatic systems.
Requires admission to the Semester in Environmental Science at Woods Hole Marine Biology Lab