Introduction to Freshwater Environments

About Course

In this training unit, Introduction to Freshwater Environments, we will dive into some of Aotearoa’s freshwater habitats and float over the surface to learn about their connection to the land and importance.

Our wonderful and unique freshwater habitats often get overlooked in conservation and it’s really important that we are aware of their uniqueness and include them when thinking about land management and resource protection.

By the end of this training unit, you will be able to identify the differences between land and aquatic habitats, define an aquatic habitat, define a catchment and explain why it is important in stream management, explain the generalised format of a stream when it flows from mountains to sea and list five safe practises when working around water.

Course Content

Introduction Video

Introduction Video

Module One: How Aquatic Environments Are Different
The aquatic world is a very different environment to that of the forest. In a forest there is air, soil, trees and sky but, in a stream, or lake we have the medium of water. Imagine being a fish compared to a bird, being in water, it changes everything. In this module we cover: How aquatic habitats vary to terrestrial habitats Some of the main characteristics of aquatic environments The main aquatic habitats of Aotearoa A brief introduction to two key habitats: Wetlands and estuaries

Module Two: Understanding the Connectedness of Water
In this module, we’ll be focusing on the connectedness of our freshwater environments. What does this mean? We will look at how streams and rivers connect to their surrounding areas and vice versa.

Module Three: A Stream’s Journey
In this Module we look at the journey of a stream – from its source in the mountains to the end where it meets the ocean. We will be discussing what a stream is and how it changes as it moves downstream to the sea. This is a valuable part of learning about Freshwater Environments. It helps us understand and describe how a stream behaves in different parts of the catchment. Understanding these differences is critical to freshwater conservation.

Module Four: Keeping Safe Around Water
This topic may feel self-evident, and you might be thinking a wee bit of common sense peppered with a fine sunny day will be all you need when working around water. However, it is not that simple. Waterways (streams, rivers, wetlands and estuaries) are highly dynamic environments with several potential risks. Your safety should be top priority.

Assessment for Introduction to Freshwater Environments
We have reached the assessment which is the last part of this training unit. All the answers come from the previous 4 modules so I recommend you have a quick read through the study notes or watch the viewtorials again to remind yourself of what we have covered before you dive into the assessment fun. Good luck!

Add this certificate to your resume to demonstrate your conservation skills & knowledge.

Introduction to Freshwater Environments

About Course