Teaching plan for the course“Sustainable Approaches to Integrated RiverBasin Management"(20h)Gabriela Adina Morosanu-MitoseriuInstitute of Geography of the Romanian AcademyVisiting Professor at the University of Wuhan, ChinaI.IntroductionThecourse"Sustainable Approaches toRiver Basin Management"offers a detailed outlineto the sustainable management of river basins, integratingkey geographical and geomaticsconcepts. We consider this subject to be essential for developing robust, lifelong professional andanalytical skills in geography students, who are key actors in this field. By providing a thoroughintroductiontosustainableriverbasinmanagementand integratingrelevantgeographical notions,the course enhances students'understanding of the complex dynamics of river systems.Itemphasizesspatialanalysistechniquesforproblem-solvingandunderscorestheimportanceofcollaboration among stakeholders, preparing students to address pressing environmentalchallenges effectively.The course introduces key principles, strategies, and real-world case studies to equipstudentswiththeskillsneededtosolvecomplexriverbasinchallenges,includingenvironmentalsustainability, hydrological dynamics, sediment management, and optimizing the socio-economicbenefits of ecosystem services.Furthermore, through the application of GIS and remote sensing,students will gain practical experience in evaluating river basin processes and managementstrategies. This prepares them to address interdisciplinary challenges as future environmentalconsultants or water professionals, focusing on environmental sustainability, sediment yield,hydrological variability,and the need to maintain the socio-economicbalance.I.ObjectivesThe coursewill be structured around the achievement of seven clearlydefined SMART (Specific,Measurable,Achievable,Relevant,Time-bound)objectives,guidingboththeteachingand learningprocesses throughout its duration.1.Explore the concept of Integrated River BasinManagement (IRBM),by studying itsprinciples and sustainability goals through lectures, in-class face-to-face discussions, andcasestudies on waterresourcesmanagement.2.Investigate the interconnected components of river basins using GIS mapping exercisesand comparative discussions to extract practical insights1
1 Teaching plan for the course “Sustainable Approaches to Integrated River Basin Management” (20h) Gabriela Adina Morosanu – Mitoseriu Institute of Geography of the Romanian Academy Visiting Professor at the University of Wuhan, China I. Introduction The course "Sustainable Approaches to River Basin Management" offers a detailed outline to the sustainable management of river basins, integrating key geographical and geomatics concepts. We consider this subject to be essential for developing robust, lifelong professional and analytical skills in geography students, who are key actors in this field. By providing a thorough introduction to sustainable river basin management and integrating relevant geographical notions, the course enhances students’ understanding of the complex dynamics of river systems. It emphasizes spatial analysis techniques for problem-solving and underscores the importance of collaboration among stakeholders, preparing students to address pressing environmental challenges effectively. The course introduces key principles, strategies, and real-world case studies to equip students with the skills needed to solve complex river basin challenges, including environmental sustainability, hydrological dynamics, sediment management, and optimizing the socio-economic benefits of ecosystem services. Furthermore, through the application of GIS and remote sensing, students will gain practical experience in evaluating river basin processes and management strategies. This prepares them to address interdisciplinary challenges as future environmental consultants or water professionals, focusing on environmental sustainability, sediment yield, hydrological variability, and the need to maintain the socio-economic balance. II. Objectives The course will be structured around the achievement of seven clearly defined SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) objectives, guiding both the teaching and learning processes throughout its duration. 1. Explore the concept of Integrated River Basin Management (IRBM), by studying its principles and sustainability goals through lectures, in-class face-to-face discussions, and case studies on water resources management. 2. Investigate the interconnected components of river basins using GIS mapping exercises and comparative discussions to extract practical insights
3.Examine water and sediment sources and their variability in river basins, through an in-depthreviewoftheprocesses that influence liquid and solidfluxes,supported bycase studydiscussions.4.Assess the role of sediments in shaping river systems, by analyzing their impact onlandscapes, water quality,river habitat support and river dynamics through lectures andstudentpresentations5. Develop sustainable management strategies for river basins, by discussing the interplayof water, sediment, and ecology of hydro-systems through guided group activities andfeedback sessions.6.Evaluate stakeholder engagement in river basin governance by reviewing scientific andgrey literature and engaging students in participatory decision-making exercises based oncase studies.7. Enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills through debates on river basinchallenges and GIS-based exercises aimed at fostering an interdisciplinary vision ofstudents in the field of river basin management.II.CourseOverviewThis course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable riverbasin management, focusing on hydrological, ecological, and socio-economic dimensions.Through lectures, discussions, virtual field trips, and hands-on exercises, students will investigatethe challenges and opportunities of sustainable river management. Key topics will includemanaging hydrological risks (droughts and floods)with a comparative analysis of China andRomania, river restoration efforts, water quality assessments and regulations, stakeholderengagement, policy frameworks, and adaptive management strategies.A preliminary teaching plan tailored to the above-mentioned objectives and the studentsknowledgelevelsisprovidedbelow.Theallocatedtimeforeachcoursewithinthetotalof2ohoursfor the visiting teaching activity can be adjusted based on the pace of internal activities and thevarious teaching and interaction methods employed in each session. This flexibility allows for anadaptive approach that can better meet the needs of the students and enhance their learningexperienceCourse1.Introduction to Integrated River Basin Management (2h)Teaching methods:Interactive lectures on the overview of river basin managementprinciples and concepts.The face-to-face discussions will be related to historicalperspectives and current challenges. The conceptual presentation will also addressprinciples of adaptive management and learning from experience, by using relevantdecision support tools for sustainable river basin management.2
2 3. Examine water and sediment sources and their variability in river basins, through an indepth review of the processes that influence liquid and solid fluxes, supported by case study discussions. 4. Assess the role of sediments in shaping river systems, by analyzing their impact on landscapes, water quality, river habitat support and river dynamics through lectures and student presentations. 5. Develop sustainable management strategies for river basins, by discussing the interplay of water, sediment, and ecology of hydro-systems through guided group activities and feedback sessions. 6. Evaluate stakeholder engagement in river basin governance by reviewing scientific and grey literature and engaging students in participatory decision-making exercises based on case studies. 7. Enhance critical thinking and problem-solving skills through debates on river basin challenges and GIS-based exercises aimed at fostering an interdisciplinary vision of students in the field of river basin management. III. Course Overview This course aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of sustainable river basin management, focusing on hydrological, ecological, and socio-economic dimensions. Through lectures, discussions, virtual field trips, and hands-on exercises, students will investigate the challenges and opportunities of sustainable river management. Key topics will include managing hydrological risks (droughts and floods) with a comparative analysis of China and Romania, river restoration efforts, water quality assessments and regulations, stakeholder engagement, policy frameworks, and adaptive management strategies. A preliminary teaching plan tailored to the above-mentioned objectives and the students' knowledge levels is provided below. The allocated time for each course within the total of 20 hours for the visiting teaching activity can be adjusted based on the pace of internal activities and the various teaching and interaction methods employed in each session. This flexibility allows for an adaptive approach that can better meet the needs of the students and enhance their learning experience. Course 1. Introduction to Integrated River Basin Management (2h) Teaching methods: Interactive lectures on the overview of river basin management principles and concepts. The face-to-face discussions will be related to historical perspectives and current challenges. The conceptual presentation will also address principles of adaptive management and learning from experience, by using relevant decision support tools for sustainable river basin management
Readings:includekey literature on sustainable river basin management of case studiesCourse 2. Hydrological Processes and Water Resources (6h')Teaching methods: i) Theoretical lecture on the hydrological cycle, water balance andsediment yield in river basins; ii) Virtual field trips using Google Earth and Story Mapsfacilities to“visit"river basins in China and Europe (particularly in Romania)and observehydrological processes; ii) Group work - students will analyze how water and sedimentfluxesranging from source areas to accumulation zones-affect riverine landscapes,water quality, and socio-economic activities within the studied watersheds.Readings: will be oriented toward literature supporting the students' group analyses ofriverbasincasestudies.Course3: Ecological Dynamics in RiverBasins and Restoration (6h)Teaching methods: i)Theoretical lectures on the interaction between hydrological, physicalcomponents and the ecological assets of the river basins, as well as remediation techniques(including introduction into river restoration concepts); ii) Guided debate on the ecosystemservices and ecological integrity provided by well-managed river basins, ii) Shortexercises aimed at identifying key ecological indicators for assessingriver basin health andhydromorphological/ecological functioning.Reading:Brief reviews of methodologies for ecological and hydro-morphologicalassessmentfor river restoration projects and incorporation of natural processes restorationtechniques into river basinmanagement plansCourse 4: Stakeholder Engagement in Integrated River Basin Management (2h)Teaching methods: i) Lecture on the importance of stakeholder participation in river basinmanagement and their types and degree of involvement; ii) Role-Playing Exercise:simulationofthestakeholdernegotiationondifferent(realorhypothetical)situationsforiver banks protection, hydrological risk prevention, water allocation, biodiversitypreservation, orriverrestoration needs..Reading:Frameworks for resolving conflicts and building consensusCourse 5: Policy Frameworks and Water/River Basin Governance (3h)Teaching methods:i) Lecture on the legal and institutional frameworks for river basinmanagement in Europe (with emphasis on Romania) and China, with an interactivediscussion (and critical evaluation) of national and international policies and regulations;1will besplit in2days,to allow students thenecessarytimeto documentand prepare thecase studies3
3 Readings: include key literature on sustainable river basin management of case studies. Course 2. Hydrological Processes and Water Resources (6h 1 ) Teaching methods: i) Theoretical lecture on the hydrological cycle, water balance and sediment yield in river basins; ii) Virtual field trips using Google Earth and Story Maps facilities to “visit” river basins in China and Europe (particularly in Romania) and observe hydrological processes; iii) Group work – students will analyze how water and sediment fluxes—ranging from source areas to accumulation zones—affect riverine landscapes, water quality, and socio-economic activities within the studied watersheds. Readings: will be oriented toward literature supporting the students’ group analyses of river basin case studies. Course 3: Ecological Dynamics in River Basins and Restoration (6h) Teaching methods: i) Theoretical lectures on the interaction between hydrological, physical components and the ecological assets of the river basins, as well as remediation techniques (including introduction into river restoration concepts); ii) Guided debate on the ecosystem services and ecological integrity provided by well-managed river basins; iii) Short exercises aimed at identifying key ecological indicators for assessing river basin health and hydro morphological/ ecological functioning. Reading: Brief reviews of methodologies for ecological and hydro-morphological assessment for river restoration projects and incorporation of natural processes restoration techniques into river basin management plans. Course 4: Stakeholder Engagement in Integrated River Basin Management (2h) Teaching methods: i) Lecture on the importance of stakeholder participation in river basin management and their types and degree of involvement; ii) Role-Playing Exercise: simulation of the stakeholder negotiation on different (real or hypothetical) situations for river banks protection, hydrological risk prevention, water allocation, biodiversity preservation, or river restoration needs. Reading: Frameworks for resolving conflicts and building consensus Course 5: Policy Frameworks and Water/ River Basin Governance (3h) Teaching methods: i) Lecture on the legal and institutional frameworks for river basin management in Europe (with emphasis on Romania) and China, with an interactive discussion (and critical evaluation) of national and international policies and regulations; 1 Will be split in 2 days, to allow students the necessary time to document and prepare the case studies
i) Group presentation - analysis of two river basin management policy documents, onefromRomaniaandonefromChina,forwhichdocumentationisavailableinEnglish:Reading:Dedicated literature and websites to supportthegroupprojectCourse 6: Review and Synthesis (1h):Review Session:Recap ofkey concepts and topics covered in the course:Group Presentations: Students conclude on their research projects or case study analyses:Feedback: Individual reflections on personal learning outcomes and future implicationsIV.AssessmentStudent assessment will occur continuously throughout the course through face-to-facediscussions, debates, teacher evaluations and self-assessments during exercises and group work.Participation of students in discussions and activities will coverbetween 40% and 60% of theclasses'duration.At the request of the academic staff from Wuhan University,this ongoingassessmentmaybesupplemented byformal evaluations,includingwrittentestsorcomprehensiveonlinequizzestobecompletedafterthecourse.V.Additional Resources:Textbooks & Articles:will be provided a few weeks/ days prior to the beginningdate ofthe course, to allow the students adequate time to read themOnline resources:Websites,journals,anddatabases relatedtoriverbasin management willbe indicated to students during lectures and on the coursesmaterials uploaded on acommon repository duringthevisitingperiod.4
4 ii) Group presentation - analysis of two river basin management policy documents, one from Romania and one from China, for which documentation is available in English. Reading: Dedicated literature and websites to support the group project. Course 6: Review and Synthesis (1h) Review Session: Recap of key concepts and topics covered in the course Group Presentations: Students conclude on their research projects or case study analyses Feedback: Individual reflections on personal learning outcomes and future implications IV. Assessment Student assessment will occur continuously throughout the course through face-to-face discussions, debates, teacher evaluations and self-assessments during exercises and group work. Participation of students in discussions and activities will cover between 40% and 60% of the classes’ duration. At the request of the academic staff from Wuhan University, this ongoing assessment may be supplemented by formal evaluations, including written tests or comprehensive online quizzes to be completed after the course. V. Additional Resources Textbooks & Articles: will be provided a few weeks/ days prior to the beginning date of the course, to allow the students adequate time to read them Online resources: Websites, journals, and databases related to river basin management will be indicated to students during lectures and on the courses’ materials uploaded on a common repository during the visiting period