![]() |
![]() |
Your cart is empty |
||
Books > Science & Mathematics > Biology, life sciences > Hydrobiology > Freshwater biology, limnology
A concise but comprehensive introduction to the biology of standing waters (lakes and ponds). As with other books in the Biology of Habitats Series, the emphasis in this book is on the organisms that dominate freshwater environments. Management and conservation aspects are also considered. The first edition of the book published in 1998 with a second, revised edition in 2005. There has been significant development in the field since the last revision appeared, particularly in the ecology of lakes and ponds in subtropical and tropical areas, and a new revision of this now classic text is timely.
Great Lakes Journey is a follow-up to William Ashworth's earlier book ""The Late, Great Lakes"", published in 1986. Fifteen years after his first trip, Ashworth journeys to many of the same places and talks to many of the same people to examine the changes that have taken place along the Great Lakes since the 1980s. It is a poetic account of his 6000-mile trip, mixed with explanations of the scientific and poilitical realities behind the observed changes, reminiscences of his 1983 trip, and conversations with local residents - some of them scientists, and other simply people who care. Through personal observations, research and numerous interviews with scientists, activists and government agencies, Ashworth creates a detailed picture of the status of the Great Lakes at the end of the 20th century. Among the most prominent changes he finds are the arrival of the zebra mussel and other exotic species, the rise and fall of the RAP process for pollution cleanup, a growing public mistrust of government action, a substantial loss of habitat and biodiversity, and an explosion of urban sprawl along the shores of the Lakes. Scholars and students of environmental studies and ecology and readers interested in the health of the Great Lakes should find this fresh look at one of America's endangered regions of value.
River systems involve a complex interaction of a rich diversity of microorganisms, plants and animals with their physical and chemical environment. Uniquely, the river habitat presents particular problems for organisms exposed to unidirectional currents, seasonal variation in flow, and disturbance due to pollution and other human interference. Drawing on chapters from the two volumes of The Rivers Handbook, this book describes river organisms - the taxa, their adaptations and ecologies, and their trophic interactions. After considering the principles, practice and problems associated with making reliable observations on river organisms, the final chapters investigate how river biota are impacted by human activity, and how in turn they can be used as indicators of these effects in river management. Aimed at final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students, the book will also be of interest to all those concerned with river conservation, including environmental scientists, river engineers and river managers.
"Freshwater Marshes "was first published in 1994. Minnesota Archive Editions uses digital technology to make long-unavailable books once again accessible, and are published unaltered from the original University of Minnesota Press editions. Prairie potholes, wetland edges of lakes and rivers, and other freshwater marshes play a vital role in maintaining a clean and plentiful water supply for wildlife and human use. These wetland areas provide habitat for spawning fish, feed waterfowl, purify and retain water, and control erosion. In this updated third edition, Milton W. Weller describes the components of the freshwater marsh: its annual and seasonal dynamics as affected by rainfall cycles and the plant and animal population's response to such changes. Weller discusses how such wetland areas are managed for wildlife populations and diversity, and how such processes can be used in wetland conservation and restoration. He considers the impact society has on wetlands and offers conservation goals for freshwater wetland complexes. Weller broadens the third edition to include an analysis of how prairie wetlands compare in water dynamics with swamps, tidal marshes, and other wetlands. He also expands the discussion of wetland classification, evaluation, mitigation, and restoration, and introduces a new glossary of current wetland terminology. "Freshwater Marshes " is Volume 1 of Wildlife Habitats. Milton W. Weller is professor emeritus and former Kleberg Chair in Wildlife Ecology, at Texas A&M University.
The Late, Great Lakes is a powerful indictment of man's carelessness, ignorance, and apathy toward the Great Lakes. With the longest continuous coastline in the United States, they hold one-fifth of the world's freshwater supply. Author William Ashworth presents a compelling history of the Great Lakes, from their formation in the Ice Age, to their "discovery" by Samuel de Champlian in 1615, and, finally, to their impending death in our time. Ashworth systematically deals with the wild life that once flourished in the region-beaver, salmon, whitefish, and trout-and describes the threatening elements which have displaced them-the predatory sea lamprey, the alewives, toxic waste, and volatile solids.
Growing human populations and higher demands for water impose increasing impacts and stresses upon freshwater biodiversity. Their combined effects have made these animals more endangered than their terrestrial and marine counterparts. Overuse and contamination of water, overexploitation and overfishing, introduction of alien species, and alteration of natural flow regimes have led to a 'great thinning' and declines in abundance of freshwater animals, a 'great shrinking' in body size with reductions in large species, and a 'great mixing' whereby the spread of introduced species has tended to homogenize previously dissimilar communities in different parts of the world. Climate change and warming temperatures will alter global water availability, and exacerbate the other threat factors. What conservation action is needed to halt or reverse these trends, and preserve freshwater biodiversity in a rapidly changing world? This book offers the tools and approaches that can be deployed to help conserve freshwater biodiversity.
At present, two native lamprey species occur in the Czech Republic, namely the brook lamprey and the Ukrainian lamprey. Lampreys: Evolution, Distribution and Use in Research begins by summarizing the available knowledge about the biology, ecology, distribution, monitoring of occurrence and action plans/recovery programmes for the aforementioned species. Following this, the occurrence of lampreys of the genus Lethenteron in 19 rivers and one lake in Sakhalin Island is documented, and sex differences in adults in respect to morphometric parameters are also presented. Mammalian blood clotting is presented as an extremely complex phenomenon involving more than two dozen proteins interacting in a series of limited proteolytic events partitioned into two calcium-dependent pathways. Some clotting proteins in mammals are present in only trace amounts, and proving their absence or presence in lampreys was not possible until the era of whole genome sequencing. As such, the authors retrace this development from a personal standpoint.
Eutrophication is an increase in the concentration of chemical nutrients in an ecosystem to an extent that increases the primary productivity of the ecosystem. It is similar to red tides, depending on the degree of eutrophication. Similarities include subsequent negative environmental effects such as anoxia and severe reductions in water quality, fish, and other animal populations. This book gathers the latest research from around the globe in the study of eutrophication including such topics as the role of fish communities in the eutrophication of shallow lakes; nutrient cycling in salt marshes to reduce eutrophication; the influence of eutrophication on arsenic speciation in lake waters; and the cost, ecosystem benefits and policy implications of remedial measures to combat coastal eutrophication.
The poor quality of water, as well as its restricted supply and availability, is one of the biggest challenges of our time, with presently two-fifth's of the world's population unable to find adequate fresh water for essential usage. Over 40 years' research has been carried out on the positive effects that rhythms and specific water flow has on water's capacity to support life. Energizing Water presents this cutting-edge research to the general and professional reader at a time when interest in finding solutions to water's huge worldwide problems is growing rapidly. Three aspects determine water quality: its chemical constituents (including its oxygen levels); its organic aspects (with the danger of contamination by effluent, pathogens and algae); and its 'energetic' nature. The latter facet has been recognized from time immemorial by traditional societies, who have developed their own sciences in relation to water quality, using terms such as prana and chi for energy. Now, through the introduction of quantum physics into the life sciences, modern science is beginning to accept this concept, measuring energy as light emission. Research into energetic water quality - and particularly into the creation of moulded surfaces that support biological purification of the chemical and organic elements, as well as enlivening the energetic attributes - goes back to George Adams' and John Wilkes' pioneering work in the 1960s. The invention of Flowform technology in 1970 carried this research further, providing the world with one of the first modern-day, biomimicry eco-technologies. This creative technology applies nature's best methods to produce extraordinary results, and this book outlines the background story on research and application of the Flowform method today.
Biofouling is usually defined as an especially economically significant process that occurs on ships' hulls, where high levels of fouling can reduce the performance of the vessel and increase its fuel requirements. However, in the aquatic environment, such burden is generally of importance for all types of organisms present. This book concentrates on aquatic mammals from marine and freshwater biotopes, summarising their different strategies to cope with the permanent challenge of being colonised by a multitude of bacteria, fungi or algae, and moreover, larvae of different invertebrates. Furthermore, biofouling of medical devices involves the formation of a biofilm by bacteria. This book covers the recent advances on the main anti-biofouling strategies based on the application of emergent biological products. In addition, the authors of this book focus on the surface modification of membranes for antibiofouling. The effect of non-antibiotic pharmaceuticals on the growth and adhesion of marine bacteria found in biofilms is looked at. Finally, in order to produce antifouling paints with reduced amount of toxic molecules, it is necessary to further investigate the phenomena involved in antifouling activity.
This is a complete catalogue of the known Norwegian freshwater fauna (protozoa excepted). A total of 63 chapters with tables have been written by 38 Norwegian specialists, representing different zoological research institutions. In addition a number of persons have contributed species records, and comments on the manuscript. The work of the editors has been supported economically by the Directorate for Nature Management. The main part of the catalogue consists of chapters dealing with the various groups of animals, and tables of species distributions. The chapters are divided into sections, including biology/ecology, level of knowledge, conservation status, and literature. Disc included.
Freshwater ecosystems are under increasing pressure as human
populations grow and the need for clean water intensifies. The
demand for ecologists and environmental managers who are trained in
basic freshwater ecology has never been greater. Students and
practitioners new to the field of freshwater ecology and management
need a text that provides them with an accessible introduction to
the key questions while still providing sufficient background on
basic scientific methods.
Gerry Closs, Barbara Downes and Andrew Boulton have written a
text that meets the requirements of these students. Following an
introduction to scientific methodology and its application to the
study of ecology, several key concepts in freshwater ecology are
reviewed using a wide range of scientific studies into fundamental
and applied ecological questions. Key ecological questions that are
explored in a freshwater context include the role of animal
dispersal and predators on freshwater community structure and the
impact of pollutants and introduced species on freshwater
ecosystems.
This book represents the only freshwater ecology textbook that
is specifically aimed at an introductory level. It will also be a
useful primer for students who have not previously taken a
specialized freshwater course but who require an accessible
overview of the subject.
Water is a key driver of economic and social development while it also has a basic function in maintaining the integrity of the natural environment. Presents the rationale approach for the Integrated Water Resources Management; this volume brings together both the different environmental problems that affect the very different ecosystems and the main methodologies able to face the problem of IWM. It will be of an invaluable resource for those involved in urban water management, including water utility managers, engineering technical staff, operations and maintenance specialists.
Water resources and services are integrated measures of social systems that range beyond the technical world and the IWRM requires a balance between competing views of social and political issues. This volume focuses on increased awareness of the human dimension, women's role, environmental protection, sustainability and food security aspects in achieving sustainable water management. Understanding the strategies used by small farmers, as well as how small farming systems work or why they fail, could shed light on the constraints they face and the measures to be taken to overcome them. It also draws key insights on movements promoting the involvement of grassroots communities in the sustainable management of their resources.
A floodplain is a flat or nearly flat land adjacent to a stream or river that experiences occasional or periodic flooding. It includes the floodway, which consists of the stream channel and adjacent areas that carry flood flows, and the flood fringe, which are areas covered by the flood, but which do not experience a strong current. This book reviews and presents research in the study of floodplains from across the globe including water and people in the Yaere Floodplain in North Cameroon, the turbidity behaviour in the Amazon floodplains, evaluating the potential and performance of New Urbanism for reducing flood risks.
Freshwater harmful algal blooms (HABs) are comprised of algae that either create health hazards for humans or animals through the production of toxins or bioactive compounds or that cause deterioration of water quality through the build-up of high biomass, which degrades aesthetic, ecological, and recreational values. While freshwater HABs occur naturally, human actions that disturb ecosystems in the form of increased nutrient loadings and pollution, modified hydrology, and introduced species have been linked to the increased occurrence of some freshwater HABs. The majority of the freshwater HAB problems reported in the United States and world-wide are due to one group of algae, the cyanobacteria HABs (CyanoHABs), but other groups of algae can also be harmful. CyanoHABs are not a new phenomenon, but the frequency and geographic distribution of documented CyanoHABs seem to have dramatically increased in recent decades in the United States and globally. This book describes the broad range of negative impacts that freshwater HAB toxins have on humans, animals and aquatic ecosystems and actions that must be taken to resolve this issue. This book consists of public documents which have been located, gathered, combined, reformatted, and enhanced with a subject index, selectively edited and bound to provide easy access.
"The 1995 discovery of malformed frogs in a Minnesota wetland is
one of a few singular events in the history of environmental
awareness that has forever changed our views regarding the plight
of global biodiversity. Lannoo's book offers a comprehensive and
up-to-date assessment of the malformed frog phenomenon and its
likely causes, as well as its possible relation to environmentally
mediated malformations in humans. It immediately ranks as a
definitive source for information regarding malformed frogs in the
larger context of global amphibian declines."--James Hanken,
Alexander Agassiz Professor of Zoology, Curator in Herpetology, and
Director, Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University
Pearly mussels (Unionoidea) live in lakes, rivers, and streams around the world. These bivalves play important roles in freshwater ecosystems and were once both culturally and economically valuable as sources of food, pearls, and mother-of-pearl. Today, however, hundreds of species of these mussels are extinct or endangered. David L. Strayer provides a critical synthesis of the factors that control the distribution and abundance of pearly mussels. Using empirical analyses and models, he assesses the effects of dispersal, habitat quality, availability of fish hosts, adequate food, predators, and parasites. He also addresses conservation issues that apply to other inhabitants of fresh waters around the globe and other pressing issues in contemporary ecology.
The second edition of Stream Ecology: Structure and Function Of Running Waters is thoroughly updated and expanded, reflecting the enormous growth in our understanding of stream metabolism and nutrient processes, which are the core of ecosystem functioning. The broad diversity of running waters - from torrential mountain brooks, to large lowland rivers, to great river systems whose basins occupy subcontinents - makes river ecosystems appear overwhelmingly complex. A central theme of this book is that although the settings are often unique, the processes at work in running waters can be understood in general terms. The new edition is extensively rewritten, with hydrology and geomorphology now accorded chapter-length discussion. Coverage includes a considerably improved and updated treatment of abiotic factors, organized around the habitat template concept. Additional new material outlines important advances in microbial ecology.
Limnology is the study of the structural and functional interrelationships of organisms of inland waters as they are affected by their dynamic physical, chemical, and biotic environments. Limnology: Lake and River Ecosystems, 3rd Edition, is a new edition of this established classic text. The coverage remains rigorous and uncompromising and has been thoroughly reviewed and updated with evolving recent research results and theoretical understanding. In addition, the author has expanded coverage of lakes to reservoir and river ecosystems in comparative functional analyses.
Designed specifically for the amateur naturalist and filled with hands-on projects and activities, Pond and Brook introduces the readers to the intriguing world of freshwater life. Michael Caduto's keen eye investigates all common freshwater environments, from wetlands and deep lakes to streams and vernal ponds. An important feature of the book is its holistic approach to both living and non-living components of freshwater environments, and how they fit together to weave an ecological whole. Readers will learn the unique properties of water, the basic principles vital to understanding aquatic life, and the origin of freshwater habitats.
Cyprinids rank as one of the most commercially important groups of freshwater fishes and are exploited for many purposes; as a human food source, especially in Europe and Asia; as sport fish; and as ornamental fish for ponds and aquaria. Certain species are also cultured as bait fish and several of the small cyprinids such as the zebra fish have become internationally accepted laboratory models for toxicology testing and molecular research. A thorough understanding of cyprinid health and diseases is fundamental to the successful management and exploitation of these fishes for freshwater fisheries, pisciculture and ornamental productions. This practical guide to disease diagnosis, prevention and control includes numerous colour plates and covers a comprehensive array of diseases - infectious and non-infectious - of cultivated and wild cyprinids.
This text explores the spatial variation and seasonality in growth and reproduction of "Enhalus acoroides" (L.f.) Royle populations in the coastal waters off Cape Bolinao, NW Phillipines.
|
![]() ![]() You may like...
Fluid Mechanics of Planets and Stars
Michael Le Bars, Daniel Lecoanet
Hardcover
R2,892
Discovery Miles 28 920
Campylobacter Ecology and Evolution
Samuel K. Sheppard, Guillaume Meric
Hardcover
R5,804
Discovery Miles 58 040
Symmetries and Applications of…
Albert C.J. Luo, Rafail K. Gazizov
Hardcover
R3,643
Discovery Miles 36 430
|