1. komponenta

Lecture type	Total
Lectures	30
Practicum	30

* Load is given in academic hour (1 academic hour = 45 minutes)

COURSE OBJECTIVES
The aim of the course Ecology of Protists is to enable students to understand the ecology of protozoa and algae as key groups of protists in aquatic ecosystems. Through lectures, practicals, and project-based learning, students will acquire knowledge of their diversity, role in ecosystems, interactions with abiotic and biotic factors, and research methods. Special emphasis is placed on acquiring practical skills in sampling, analysis, and interpretation of results, as well as developing the ability to apply theoretical concepts of protist ecology in research.
Upon completion of the course, students will be able to analyze the structure and dynamics of protist populations in relation to environmental conditions in aquatic ecosystems and to use scientific literature for the determination of particular groups. They will develop competencies in selecting methods and sampling frequency for protozoa and algae in different biotopes, as well as in recognizing the specific patterns of their diversity across spatial and temporal scales. Students will be able to identify the role of protists in food webs and explain their impact on nutrient cycling and energy flow in ecosystems, as well as implement theoretical concepts of population dynamics in real research situations. They will be trained to classify protists into functional groups, to plan and conduct research by predicting the required material and timeframe, and to work in interdisciplinary teams. Through practical work, students will gain proficiency in using computer programs and statistical methods for population analysis, and by the end of the course, they will be able to critically analyze and synthesize research results and present them in the form of a professional or scientific report.

COURSE CONTENT
Part I ? Ecology of Protozoa
1st lecture (2 hours) General characteristics and diversity of protozoa.
2nd lecture (2 hours) Movement and reproduction ? structures for locomotion, taxes, kineses, species concept.
3rd lecture (2 hours) Feeding and survival ? filtration, resistance, morphogenesis.
4th lecture (2 hours) Community ecology ? abiotic and biotic factors, successions, niche differentiation.
5th lecture (2 hours) Protozoa in aquatic ecosystems ? plankton, benthos, microbial loop, parasites.
6th lecture (2 hours) Ecological efficiency and role in trophic networks.
7th lecture (2.5 hours) Research methodology in protozoa ? sampling, analysis, and statistics.

Part II ? Ecology of Algae
1st lecture (2 hours) General characteristics and taxonomy of algae.
2nd lecture (2 hours) Research methodology and identification of algae.
3rd lecture (2 hours) Phytoplankton in lakes ? composition, biomass, succession.
4th lecture (2 hours) Functional classifications and ecological concepts of phytoplankton.
5th lecture (2 hours) Phytobenthos in rivers and streams ? community composition, succession.
6th lecture (2 hours) Phytoplankton and phytobenthos as bioindicators of water quality.
7th lecture (2.5 hours) Modern methods in algal research ? molecular and computational analyses.

PRACTICUM
Part I ? Protozoa
1st practical (2 hours) Introduction to laboratory analyses of protozoa.
2nd practical (2 hours) Preparation of substrates and inoculum.
3rd practical (2 hours) Setting up succession experiments.
4th practical (2 hours) Sampling and microscopy.
5th practical (2 hours) Sample analysis and data recording.
6th practical (2 hours) Statistical data processing.
7th practical (2.5 hours) Interpretation and conclusions.

Part II ? Algae
1st practical (2 hours) Planning algal research ? objectives and hypotheses.
2nd practical (2 hours) Laboratory analyses of phytoplankton and phytobenthos.
3rd practical (2 hours) Molecular methods in algal ecology.
4th practical (2 hours) Utermöhl method and analysis of abundance and biomass.
5th practical (2 hours) Preparation of permanent diatom slides and quantification.
6th practical (2 hours) Computational and graphical methods for distribution and environmental factor analysis.
7th practical (2.5 hours) Community analysis, interpretation, and evaluation of results.

FORMS OF TEACHING
Teaching is carried out through lectures, practicals (laboratory and field exercises), blended e-learning, independent assignments, and mentoring.
STUDENT OBLIGATIONS
Students are required to regularly attend lectures and practicals and actively participate in practical tasks and fieldwork. They must keep and submit laboratory and research notebooks via email or the Merlin e-learning system, as well as prepare and present a final project.

1. Fenchel, T., 1987: Ecology of Protozoa. Springer Verlag, Berlin.
   Stevenson, R. Jan; Bothwell, Max L.; Lowe, Rex L. (1996) Algal Ecology: Freshwater Benthic Ecosystem. Elsevier. SAD.
2. Wetzel R.G. (2001) Limnology, Third Edition: Lake and River Ecosystems, Academic Press
3. O Sullivan, P.E. and Reynolds, C.S. (2003) The Lakes Handbook: Limnology and Limnetic ecology. John Wiley and Sons
4. Allan, J.D. and Castillo, M.M. (2007) Stream Ecology. Springer.
5. Vilicic, D. (2014) Ecology and Composition of Phytoplankton in the Adriatic Sea. Koeltz Scientific Book

MODUL: BIOLOŠKA ZAŠTITA OKOLIŠA - Regular study - Environmental Sciences