Fish and Life in Neotropical Aquatic Ecosystems in South America
ENVS 209
Fall 2026
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01
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Fish and Life in Neotropical aquatic Ecosystems is a course that will allow the students to search for information and discussion on the diverse and complexity of the fish communities Tropical America and associated aquatic fauna. We will introduce basic definitions, characteristics, distribution, and examples of wetlands, lakes, rivers, flooded savannahs (Llanos) and forests (Várzea's) and many other aquatic habitats throughout the neotropics. Discussions on the Origin, geological and hydrological dynamics and evolution of fish communities in South America. The Paleo Orinoco-Amazon: Geological and biotic importance. Evolutionary hypotheses of fish fauna diversity. Fish diversity and importance of the wetlands (flooded savannahs) of Colombia-Venezuela, Rupununi in Guiana, the Pantanal in Brazil and the Chaco in Argentina, as an examples of neotropical lowland-wetlands. The Brazilian Pantanal and the Colombian-Venezuelan Llanos as important "hatchery areas" for aquatic and terrestrial biota and for migratory birds; their importance for the maintenance of biodiversity and sustainable use. Identify important/unique and fragile habitats and the anthropic factors that affect the Neotropical aquatic ecosystems. Examples of rivers at risk. The social and economic development, and contributions through the Rapid Aquatic Assessments Programs (RAP's) as a methodology to produce information that allowed to propose areas for conservation of the biodiversity. Finished with an analysis of the resources and fisheries importance of the main neotropical basins: Amazonas, Orinoco, and Paraná |
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| Credit: 1 |
Gen Ed Area Dept:
NSM ENVS |
| Course Format: Lecture / Discussion | Grading Mode: Graded |
| Level: UGRD |
Prerequisites: None |
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Fulfills a Requirement for: (Environmental Studies Minor)(Environmental Studies)(Latin American Studies) |
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Past Enrollment Probability: 90% or above |
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