To provide students with knowledge of the special ecological characteristics of inland waters and the theoretical and practical background to understand the structure and function of these ecosystems.

Upon successful completion of the course, the students will: (a) acquire knowledge of the distribution patterns of the main abiotic factors that affect biological processes in surface waters, (b) acquire knowledge of the structure, function and productivity of aquatic ecosystems, (c) understand the biogeochemical cycles that take place in aquatic systems, (d) become familiar with the methodologies applied in the study of aquatic organisms, (e) have the opportunity to observe aquatic organisms in their natural environment, (f) have the opportunity to work with fellow students in the field and in the laboratory, (g) develop a team spirit, (i) develop and improve the ability for online access in libraries, databases and scientific journals.

1. Introduction - structure of aquatic ecosystems (2 hours) - 2. Distribution patterns of abiotic factors and biogeochemical cycles (4 hours) - 3. Paleolimnology - dynamics of lake ecosystems (2 hours) - 4. Plankton and periphyton (2 hours) - 5. Aquatic fungi (2 hours) - 6. Food relations and ecological interactions (4 hours) - 7. Aquatic macrophytes (2 hours) - 8. Aquatic invertebrates (2 hours) - 9. Surface waters and birds (2 hours) - 10. Ecological status of surface waters of Greece (2 hours) - 11. Monitoring and management strategies (2 hours)

1. Collection of plankton and periphyton. Use of hydrobiological instruments in situ - 2. Morphometry and measurement of abiotic factors - 3. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of plankton under optical and inverted microscopes - 4. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of periphyton (indicators of diversity, similarity, equal distribution, etc.) - 5. Aquatic macrophytes - 6. The invertebrates of the coastal zone and their use as biomarkers - 7. Birds

Field exercise: Excursion to observe the ecological characteristics of inland waters, and to sample and identify organisms from different aquatic habitats.

The course is offered to Erasmus students: Teaching in Greek language - Exams in English language.

There are no prerequisite courses for the student to choose and attend the course.

Students evaluation is performed in Greek with the possibility of examination in English for Erasmus students. The examination includes: 1. Individual tasks for each laboratory exercise. 2. Written examination of the laboratory with: a) Short-answer questions for the evaluation of students' critical thinking in the methodologies and practices, b) Problems for the evaluation of their skills in the analysis and synthesis of data and information, and c) Exercises for the evaluation of their skills in inductive thinking and the application of knowledge obtained to solve research problems. 3. Written examination of the lectures with questions of graded difficulty that includes a) Multiple choice questions, b) Short-answer questions and c) Problems and / or exercises based on the theoretical knowledge developed in the lectures.

The final grade of the course results from written examinations in the course material (60%) and the performance in the laboratory exercises (40%)..