OBJECTIVES
At the end of the module participants will:

    * determine the abundance, biomass, and growth rates of bacteria and protozoans;
    * analyse and describe microbial communities and their functional and phylogenetic composition in freshwater ecosystems;

evaluate the role of microbial communities for steering ecosystem functions and ecosystem services.

SUBJECTS
1.    Diversity and ecology of microorganisms
2.    Organismic key interactions I: predator prey interactions & food selection.
3.    Organismic key interactions II: microbial food webs
4.    Microbial interactions with abiotic environment and ecosystem services

SYLLABUS
Diversity of microorganisms: classification according to function (functional groups) and phylogeny (taxonomy); diversity and phylogeny of Bacteria, Archaea and Protists the functional group concept; introduction to viruses.
Organismic key interactions I: principles of predator prey interactions and food selection; functional response; numerical response; growth and mortality; viral/phage-induced mortality.  
Organismic key interactions II: microbial food webs in rivers, lakes and groundwater ecosystems; biofilm formation and biofilms as microenvironments; specifics of groundwater communities; DOC / POC transfer; physiological and metabolic key functions (photosynthesis & respiration, oxic/anoxic metabolic pathways, phagotrophy, osmotrophy & mixotrophy);
Microbial interactions with abiotic environment and ecosystem services: biogeochemical key processes; interaction of abiotic factors and  microbial communities; biodegradation - microbially mediated reactions; ecosystem services steered by microbial communities (N & C cycling, control of pathogenic bacteria, toxin producing cyanobacteria, mitigation of pollutants).

LECTURERS/TRAINERS
Dr. M. Hahn, Dr. K. Simek, Dr. G. Singer, Dr. C. Griebler, Mag. C. Karwautz, Mag. I. Hödl


COURSE FEE (EURO): € 2,475.-- (tuition fee)

PARTNERS
WaterCluster Lunz; University of Vienna;  Institute for Limnology, Austrian Academy of Sciences, German Research Center of Environmental Health.

COURSE LOCATION:     WaterCluster Lunz, Austria

DURATION IN WEEKS:     3 weeks

TIME PERIOD:        11^th June - 29^th June 2012
At the end of the course all short course participants may receive a certificate of attendance. For those participants who wish to finalize their course with an ECTS (European Credit System) certificate, an examination will take place. Please contact IPGL-Office for details.

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATION:  18^th April 2012