by Prof. Laura Penman, Associate Professor, Monroe Community College, and Teaching the South Caucasus Workshop participant
Key words: Water; water distribution; biodiversity; endemic species; conservation; Caucasus climate zones; hydraulic cycle; Lake Sevan, Armenia.
Module description: In this module, students will learn core concepts and methods to examine key issues related to freshwater, its distribution, threats to its sustenance, and the importance of biodiversity. The module provides definitions (e.g., biodiversity, biodiversity hotspots, and endemic species) and explanation of the workings of the water cycle (i.e., interactions between its components). In addition to exploring human impacts on freshwater systems, students are provided opportunity to develop quantitative measurement skills in relation to water volume, length, and mass using Lake Sevan, Armenia as sample and example.