Class Notes - Applied Ecology (NWI-BB036B)

Applied Ecology: Lecture notes (2021/2022)




Faculty of Science, Radboud University


NWI-BB036B: Applied Ecology


dr. S. Kosten


Second semester 2021/2022

,Contents
Introduction to Biogeochemistry (Lecture 1).........................................................................................3
Air pollution, acidification, eutrophication, and critical loads (Lecture 2).............................................7
Climate change and nature management (Lecture 3)...........................................................................9
Ecological feedbacks in the climate system (Lecture 4).......................................................................10
Peatland and heathland restoration (Lecture 5)..................................................................................11
Peatlands: Rich fens.............................................................................................................................14
Management of aquatic systems (Lecture 6).......................................................................................15
Lake management – Biomanipulation and Geo-engineering (Lecture 7).............................................17
Coastal management (Lecture 8).........................................................................................................18
Biological water quality assessment (Lecture 9)..................................................................................19
Management of drylands (Lecture 10)................................................................................................21

, Introduction to Biogeochemistry (Lecture 1)
Redox Ladder: (Oxidation is losing é – Reduction is gaining é)
Oxygen --> Nitrate (denitrification) --> Manganese --> Iron (iron reduction) --> Sulfate (sulfur
reduction) --> Carbon dioxide (methanogenesis)



Regulation of decomposition / mineralization:
 Temperature
 Nutrient concentration
 Concentration and degradability of organic compound
 Phenolic compounds
 Alkalinity (Acid neutralizing capability)
 Salinity
 Electron acceptor availability



Table-Oxidation States

Element Species Formula
Sulfur Hydrogen sulfide H2S
Elemental sulfur S
Sulfide S2-
Sulfur dioxide SO2
Sulfate ion SO42-
Sulfuric acid H2SO4
Carbon Methane CH4
Nitrogen Ammonia NH3
Ammonium NH4+
Nitrogen gas N2
Nitric oxide NO
Nitrite ion NO2-
Nitrogen dioxide NO2
Nitrate ion NO3-
Nitric Acid HNO3


Aerobic vs. Anaerobic oxidation:
Aerobic reaction: NH4+ + 2O2  NO3- + 2H+ + H2O

In aerobic reactions H+ is produced! This lowers the pH

In anaerobic reactions H+ is consumed! This raises the pH