The course builds on the basic knowledge of the limnology of standing and running waters and targets the following objectives:
(i) to explain the complexity of the functioning of different types of freshwater ecosystems;
(ii) to introduce students to the ecology of freshwater organisms and their specific adaptations to different types of freshwater habitats;
(iii) to apply this complex knowledge to specific topics, including those that are discussed in the course in detail:
* understanding and mitigating biological invasions in freshwater ecosystems,
* reconstruct past conditions of the freshwater ecosystems for their better understanding and prediction under a changing climate,
* analyses of environmental DNA analysis to characterise both present and past aquatic communities.
Last update: Tátosová Jolana, RNDr., Ph.D. (06.10.2025)
Literature
Presentations from each lecture are provided to the students via Moodle. As each lecture focuses on different topic, there is no overreaching study resource. These general limnology textbooks may provide background information.
Jacob Kalff, 2002. Limnology: Inland Water Ecosystems. Prentice Hall, 592 pp.
Robert G. Wetzel, 2001. Limnology: Lake and River Ecosystems. Gulf Professional Publishing, 1006 pp
Last update: Gáliková Kristýna, Mgr. et Mgr., DiS. (24.10.2025)
Requirements to the exam
Examination: three online tests with open questions in Moodle environment. The test follows each of the three thematic blocks. Each test is graded as follows: 100 - 86 % = grade 1 85 - 71 % = grade 2 70 - 60 % = grade 3 The final grade represents the average of all three tests.
In case of failure in one of the three tests, the student will be examined orally.
Last update: Tátosová Jolana, RNDr., Ph.D. (26.08.2024)
Syllabus
Session: Freshwater biota
Fish ecology (Martin Čech) The role of fish in the ecosystem. Food ecology: trophic groups and morphological adaptations. The adaptation of fish in extreme environments. Species-specific and cohort-specific habitat use in different lake and/or reservoir conditions.Ecology of ichthyoplankton. Ecology and behaviour of apex freshwater fish predators
Bacterial community, organic matter cycling and nutrient fluxes as a basis for the functioning of running waters (Martin Rulík)
Benthic community (Veronika Sacherová) Functional feeding groups of macrozoobenthos, periphyton community, Water Framework Directive and monitoring
Ecology of phytoplankton - Extreme aquatic ecosystems with emphasis on algae and cyanobacteria (Linda Nedbalová)
Ecology of zooplankton (Martin Černý) Main zooplankton groups in inland waters and their trophic position. Meroplankton in freshwaters. Antipredator strategies. Phenotypic plasticity. Diel vertical migrations. Dispersal and diapause.
First session test - Freshwater Biota (Moodle) - afternoon/evening
Session: Freshwater ecosystems
Mountain lake ecosystems (Jiří Kopáček & Jiří Kaňa) Catchment-lake interaction: (1) Effects of atmospheric acidification on soil and water composition (changes in concentrations of ions, aluminium, dissolved organic carbon and nutrients in lake water). (2) Effects of vegetation condition on terrestrial nutrient export (changes in N and C cycling and in soil pools and fluxes of base cations following forest disturbances). (3) Effects of climate change on soil-water interactions (changes in hydrology, residence time of elements and weathering). (4) Links between water composition and biota (effects of changes in water composition on fish, zooplankton and phytoplankton).
Fish ponds (Veronika Sacherová)
Water reservoirs (Jaroslav Vrba&Petr Znachor) The main characteristics, spatiotemporal heterogeneity of environmental conditions - reservoir zonation concept, vertical profiles, long-term changes and the ongoing climate change, impact of weather extremes on water quality.
River ecosystems (Martin Rulík) Water balance in the catchment, the effect of the hydroelectric power plants on discharge and water biota, climate change - drying up of streams and foods (ephemeral and periodic streams/rivers).
Second session test - Freshwater Ecosystems (Moodle) - afternoon/evening
Session: Advanced research approaches in Limnology
Biological invasions in inland waters (Adam Petrusek) Basic concepts of invasion biology. Distinction of native, non-native and invasive species. Main introduction pathways of non-native species in standing and running waters: deliberate vs. accidental introductions. Interactions with native species and communities. Ecological and socioeconomic impacts of invasions. Prominent invasive species in Central European waters.
Introduction to Paleolimnology (Jolana Tátosová) Proxies related to lake changes in time and briefly pollen and vegetation changes in catchment,. Quantitative climate reconstruction. Extinct lakes.
Environmental DNA (Adam Petrusek) Origin and forms of DNA in the environment. Where to sample eDNA in aquatic environments: water-borne and sedimentary eDNA. Sample collection and downstream analyses: metabarcoding vs. single-species detection. Research questions to address with eDNA, limitations and caveats.
Third session test - Advanced Approaches (Moodle) - afternoon/evening
Last update: Gáliková Kristýna, Mgr. et Mgr., DiS. (20.11.2025)
Learning outcomes
After completing the course, students will be able to:
Explain the functioning and interactions of physical, chemical, and biological processes in various types of freshwater ecosystems (lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and ponds).
Characterize major groups of freshwater organisms and describe their ecological roles, adaptations, and life strategies in relation to habitat type and environmental conditions.
Analyse trophic relationships, nutrient cycling, and organic matter dynamics in lentic and lotic systems, and evaluate their implications for ecosystem stability and productivity.
Discuss the causes, mechanisms, and consequences of biological invasions in inland waters and propose approaches to their monitoring and mitigation.
Apply paleolimnological and environmental DNA (eDNA) methods to reconstruct historical and contemporary freshwater communities and environmental changes.
Interpret ecological data to assess the impacts of climate change, acidification, and land-use changes on freshwater ecosystem functioning.
Integrate field and laboratory knowledge to formulate research-based insights into freshwater ecology and management.
Last update: Gáliková Kristýna, Mgr. et Mgr., DiS. (21.10.2025)
Entry requirements
General knowledge of limnology or hydrobiology.
Students without limnological knowledge are advised to enrol MO550P126ELimnology with Advanced Limnology in the same semester to gain the basics that help them understand the complex functioning of aquatic ecosystems and their differences.
Last update: Tátosová Jolana, RNDr., Ph.D. (26.08.2024)
