The Middle Parana river is one of the largest in the world. Exceptionally rich in fauna and flora, it provides researchers with a glimpse into an ecosystem yet undisturbed by human civilization. This fascinating book covers all the key aspects of the Parana s fluvial limnology and ecology, arranged in discrete and easily navigable sections. First, the physical and chemical environment is explained, then the river s plant life, followed by its invertebrate life, and finally the vertebrates that inhabit the river.

Crater Lake is located in the caldera of Mount Mazama in Crater Lake National Park, Oregon. The lake has a surface area of about 53 km2 at an elevation of 1882 m and a maximum depth of 594 m a" seventh deepest in the world. Limited studies of this ultraoligotrophic lake conducted between 1896 and 1981, lead to a 10-year limnological study to evaluate any potential degradation of water quality. No long-term variations in water quality were observed that could be attributed to anthropogenic activity. Building on the success of this study, a permanent limnological program has been established with a long-term monitoring program to insure a reliable data base for use in the future. Of equal importance, this program serves as a research platform to develop and communicate to the public a better understanding of the coupled biological, physical, and geochemical processes in the lake and its surrounding environment.

This special volume represents our current state of knowledge of the status of this pristine ecosystem including its special optical properties, algal nutrient limitations, pelagic bacteria, and models of the inter-relationships of thermal properties, nutrients, phytoplankton, deep-water mixing, and water budgets.

Ecotones are interface zones between different ecosystems. Their ecological role and significance with regard to ecological management and conservation has become increasingly appreciated. For the management of freshwater resources, for example, an improved understanding of the role of land/inland water interfaces, will be essential for reducing negative human impacts by engineering, nutrient loading, siltation, etc. The management of ecotones, on the other hand, offers the possibility to control aquatic system processes via stock control of fish populations. Fish apparently are both excellent indicators of ecotone quality as well as determiners of its structure and function.

This book examines the application of fish community characteristics to evaluate the sustainability and biological integrity of freshwaters. Topics include perspectives on use of fish communities as environmental indicators in program development, collaboration, and partnership forming; influence of specific taxa on assessment of the IBI; regional applications for areas where the IBI had not previously been developed; and specific applications of the IBI developed for coldwater streams, inland lakes, Great Lakes, reservoirs, and tailwaters.

There is increasing concern in the media, among politicians and within environmental organizations, about the effects of chemicals in our environment that affect the endocrine systems of wildlife and humans. At its simplest these are referred to as gender-bending' chemicals or environmental estrogens'. The chemicals in question (pesticides, PCBs, plasticizers, petrochemicals, and a variety of industrial chemicals) have been known to decrease human sperm counts, cause fish to change sex', and increase male genital abnormalities. A great deal of pressure has been placed on environmental protection agencies to devise regulatory tests for the effects of these chemicals and to require limitations on their manufacture and release. Fish are increasingly recognized as an excellent model for such tests, in that the aquatic environment may provide early warnings of the effects that these chemicals will have on human health. In addition, the large number of eggs which fish produce provides an excellent model to examine the effects on female fertility. Endocrine Disruption in Fish provides a simple yet extensive background to the field of fish endocrinology in order to assist those toxicologists who have a limited background in either mammalian or fish endocrinology. It shows that environmental estrogens do not simply affect male reproductive potential, but that they may equally well affect the female. It is possible that these chemicals may have a complex effect on the brain, hypothalamus, pituitary, gonad and liver of both sexes. There are many other chemicals which affect both the gonads and other parts of the endocrine system to cause decreased fertility, abnormal sexual differentiation andbehavior, decreased response to stress, immune deficiency or altered basal metabolism. Many thousand man-made chemicals are released into the environment, but very few have been tested for endocrine disrupting activity. This book covers only the minute fraction for which evidence has been collected.

Shallow lakes differ from deep ones in many aspects of nutrient dynamics, biotic structure and interactions of various trophic levels. Though very common in European lowlands, shallow lakes attract inadequate attention from research teams. This book aims at filling gaps in our knowledge of the processes which take place in non-stratified lakes. It contains proceedings from the international conference Shallow Lakes *95' held in Mikolajki, Poland, on 20-26 August 1995. In more than 50 original papers up-to-date views on eutrophication, degradation and recovery of shallow lakes are presented. The first four sections of the book (Nutrient fluxes, Biotic structure, Trophic interactions and Whole lake studies) deal with theoretical aspects of lake functioning while the fifth (Biomanipulation, restoration and management) is devoted to practical measures undertaken to improve water quality in shallow lakes. The book is therefore addressed to university biologists and ecologists and PhD students, as well as to managers involved in restoration of shallow lakes.

The International Decade for the East African Lakes (IDEAL) has completed its first phase of field studies, and has assembled in this volume its findings, ranging from seismic reflections to historical drought chronologies, geochemistry, and modern food web processes. Multidisciplinary IDEAL investigations are summarized and integrated, revealing that modern changes in the East African lakes share a continuity with past variations in climate and environmental conditions. Results from an array of disciplinary perspectives and evidentiary lines point to the causative role of modern climate variation in the deterioration of Lake Victoria, one of the most prominent lakes on the planet. The ancient conditions of Victoria and other East African lakes are reconstructed with forensic tools that permit measurements of paleomagnetism, pollen and algal fossils, biogenic minerals, depositional carbonates, and bulk geochemistry. Oral traditions, explorer's journals, and records of the ancient Nile provide human testimonies that parallel the physical record. Studies of biological production, nutrient dynamics, and lower food web processes reveal how the lake communities function at the trophic levels that leave sedimentary evidence in the form of organic matter, minerals, and fossils. Comparisons of weather records and lake properties demonstrate a striking change in climate conditions during the present century with causal links to lake conditions. The collected scientific perspective makes a compelling case for the worth of integrated studies across a spectrum of traditional specialties when they are focused on complex environmental issues.

Snow and ice environments support significant biological activity, yet the biological importance of some of these habitats, such as glaciers, has only recently gained appreciation. Collectively, these ecosystems form a significant part of the cryosphere, most of which is situated at high latitudes. These ice environments are important sentinels of climate change since the polar regions are presently undergoing the highest rates of climate warming, resulting in very marked changes in the extent of ice caps, glaciers, and the sea ice. Glacial systems are also regarded as an analogue for astrobiology, particularly for Mars and the moons of Jupiter (e.g. Europa), and one of the justifications for research in this area is its potential value in astrobiology. This timely and accessible volume draws together the current knowledge on life in snow and ice environments. It describes these often complex and often productive ecosystems, their physical and chemical conditions, and the nature and activity of the organisms that have colonised them. The cryosphere is the domain of extremophiles, organisms able to adapt to the physiological and biochemical challenges of harsh cold conditions where liquid water may only be present for relatively short periods each year. The majority of extremophiles in ice and snow are microorganisms. The Ecology of Snow and Ice Environments is intended for the non-specialist, enabling environmental scientists to understand the biological functioning of extreme cold environments and for biologists to gain knowledge of the nature of the cryosphere.

Global wetlands exhibit significant differences in both hydrology and species composition and range from moss-dominated arctic peatlands to seasonally-flooded tropical floodplains. They are increasingly recognized for the important services that they provide to both the environment and human society such as wildlife and fish production, nutrient filtering, and carbon sequestration. A combination of low oxygen levels and dense plant canopies present particular challenges for organisms living in this aquatic habitat. This concise textbook discusses the universal environmental and biological features of wetland habitats, with an emphasis on wetland plants and animals and their adaptations. It also describes the functional features of wetlands - primary production, litter decomposition, food webs, and nutrient cycling - and their significance locally and globally. The future of wetlands is examined, including the potential threats of global climate change and invasive species, as well as their restoration and creation. This new edition maintains the structure and style of the first, but is fully updated throughout with new chapters on invasive species, restoration/creation, global climate change, and the value of wetlands.

Evidence now suggests that the roles of essential fatty acids as growth promoters and as indices of health and nutrition are fundamentally similar in freshwater and marine ecosystems. Lipids in Aquatic Ecosystems integrates this divergent literature into a coordinated, digestible form.

Chapters are organized so as to discuss and synthesize the flow of lipids from lower to higher trophic levels, up to and including humans. Linkages between the production, distribution and pathways of these essential compounds within the various levels of the aquatic food webs, and their ultimate uptake by humans and other terrestrial organisms, are highlighted throughout the book. This book will be of interest to researchers and resource managers working with aquatic ecosystems.

Diminishing water resources are becoming of increasing concern because in many countries the sources of drinking water are close to being exhausted. Therefore, there is an urgent need to study and assess the various components of global water resources, of which freshwater lakes are one of the most important. This book discusses contemporary limnological problems on a local, regional and global scale with special emphasis on the application of remote-sensing techniques to monitor lake dynamics, thermodynamics, biodynamics and water quality. An interactive approach is used to assess various processes from both the numerical modelling and observational standpoints. The authors recommend a combined use of in situ and remote-sensing data, giving a specific comparative analysis of the lakes of north-western Russia and the American Great Lakes as an illustration. The role of GIS is discussed and emphasised.

Fish Vaccines: Health Management for Sustainable Aquaculture is a timely reference book that highlights the role of vaccination in the fast-growing aquaculture industry. It discusses topics such as vaccine formulation, vaccine delivery and enhancing the immune response of fish using nanoparticles. Information related to vaccine safety, ethical approval and regulations is also discussed, together with dissemination of vaccines to fish farms across the globe. This cutting-edge book presents novel strategies to meet the growing demand for vaccines in finfish aquaculture. The book is useful to students, academics, clinicians, and professionals in the field of fisheries sciences, aquaculture, and veterinary sciences.

There is now an increased awareness of the importance of polar regions in the Earth system, as well as their vulnerability to anthropogenic derived change, including of course global climate change. This new edition offers a concise but comprehensive introduction to polar ecology and has been thoroughly revised and updated throughout, providing expanded coverage of marine ecosystems and the impact of humans. It incorporates a detailed comparison of the Arctic and Antarctic systems, with a particular emphasis on the effects of climate change, and describes marine, freshwater, glacial, and terrestrial habitats. This breadth of coverage is unique in the polar biology literature. As with other titles in the Biology of Habitats Series, particular emphasis is placed on the organisms that dominate these extreme environments although pollution, conservation and experimental aspects are also considered. This accessible text is suitable for both senior undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in polar ecology, often as part of a wider marine biology degree programme. It will also be of value and use to the many professional ecologists and conservation biologists requiring a concise overview of the topic.

The ecology of potamoplankton has received less attention than lake plankton. These proceedings produce a synthesis of the composition, community structure and dynamics of lotic phytoplankton, which are intuitively submitted to a strong physical control in the flowing environment, perceived as much more disturbed' than a lake, even than a well-mixed shallow one. It turns out that the boundary between the phytoplankton of rivers and lakes is not as clear-cut as was thought. In particular, most contributions provide arguments emphasizing the prominent role of physical control in both aquatic systems, especially due to the steep light gradient resulting from turbulent mixing in a turbid water column. Similarities and differences between potamoplankton and limnoplankton, largely based on the information gathered by the contributors are discussed in the introductory paper by Reynolds et al.

Lough Neagh is the largest lake in the British Isles. It covers an area of 383 km2 being 30 km along its longest axis. From pre-historic times the lake and its rivers influenced the settlements of man in the role of a fishery and communication link with the interior of Ireland. Ireland's first canal, completed in 1787, linked the small but significant coal deposits of Tyrone to Dublin by way of the lough and later the Lagen Canal became an important commercial route to the new city of Belfast. Today, only sand barge transport persists but the lough supports Europe's largest eel fishery and provides commercial salmon, trout and perch catches, besides acting as an important centre for recreational pursuits. Increasingly it has become the major water resource for Northern Ireland supplying much of the demand for the heavily populated Belfast area. Biologically the lough is rich, sustaining enormous invertebrate populations of, for example, chironomids and gammarids alongside the comparatively exotic glacial relict, Mysis relicta. Its bird life makes the lough an area of very special conservation interest as a Ramsar site. The book describes the basic ecology of the lough with particular emphasis on both the interaction of the physical, chemical and biological components and the role of ecology in resource management. Extensive recent researches are set in geological, geographical and historical context and together with palaeolimnological studies of the sediments are used to trace major changes in the ecology of the lough under man's influence, especially in the past 100 years.

This book is the first complete biography of one of the founders of fishery science, William Edwin (Bill) Ricker (1908 - 2001), immortalized in the Ricker Curve. This book combines Bill 's own recollections with contributions from those who knew him and worked with him as a colleague during his multifaceted career. In an article written shortly before his death, Bill gives his own account of his career and intellectual development.

Ponds and small lakes support an extremely rich biodiversity of fascinating organisms. Many people have tried pond-dipping and encountered a few unfamiliar creatures, such as dragonfly nymphs and caddisfly larvae. However, there is a far richer world of microscopic organisms, such as diatoms, desmids and rotifers, which is revealed in this book. Anyone with access to a microscope can open up this hidden dimension. Identification keys are provided so that readers can identify, explore and study this microscopic world. There are also many suggestions of ways in which readers can then make original contributions to our knowledge and understanding of pond ecology. The book not only explores the fascinating world of the creatures within ponds and their interactions, but also explains the many ways in which ponds are important in human affairs. Ponds are being lost around the world, but they are a key part of a system that maintains our climate. In the face of climate change, it has never been more important to understand the ecology of ponds. Includes keys to: A - Traditional key to kingdoms of organisms; B - Contemporary key to kingdoms of organisms; C - Pragmatic key to groups of microorganisms; D - Algae visible, at least en masse, to the naked eye; E - Periphyton, both attached to surfaces and free living; F - Protozoa; G- Freshwater invertebrates and; H - Common phytoplankton genera in ponds.

The proceedings of a special technical session dealing with the addition of Ca based materials to waters and soils for the purpose of restoring or enhancing fisheries in acidified waters are contained in this volume. The session was part of the North American Fisheries Society's annual meeting sponsored by the Water Quality Section of the Society. While the concept of liming is not new, the extent of the recent research, demonstrations and applications reported at the conference is enlightening. Six countries are represented by government, state and private sector participants. The scope of activities reported in the following 23 papers range from the simple to the very complex addition of liming materials to ponds, lakes, streams and watersheds. This volume of presentations is broad and impressive as are the methods used in the actual application of the neutralizing materials. Those programs that are demonstration application oriented are deploying techniques that are either new or modifications of existing technology.

This book promotes better understanding and awareness of South Africa' significant water problems by describing the country's and especially the Upper Vaal River's water resources. It is a "go-to" book for students, professionals and regular citizens when information is required regarding the country's and more specifically the Upper Vaal River's freshwater resources. It highlights the major problems and risks which need to be addressed and give a realistic and true representation of the current water affairs.

Since the limnological research on the man-made Brokopondo Reservoir in the 'sixties, numerous data have been collected on the ecology of Surinam rivers and swamps. This book is a compilation of these data: it is the first comprehensive survey of the aquatic ecology of one of the peripheral areas of Amazonia. The geomorphology of the country, situated on the Guyana Shield, is the main factor determining the limnological properties of rivers and creeks. This results in an overall picture that is quite different from Amazonia. The emphasis of The Ecosystems of Suriname is on the living aquatic resources, including aquatic and swamp vegetation, phyto and zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. Although most of Suriname is still in a pristine state, the human impact on fresh waters is considerable in those areas of rapid economic development, emphasizing the necessity of conservation measures, specially tailored for aquatic ecosystems. The Ecosystems of Suriname is a valuable acquisition for all scientists, environmental managers and others interested in tropical aquatic ecology.

Since the advent of the electron microscope, there has been a dramatic increase in our understanding of the microalgae. With contributions from leading researchers from around the world, this book presents a completely up-to-date survey of the prymnesiophyte algae. Ubiquitous in their distribution--particularly as members of the marine phytoplankton--the prymnesiophyte algae has long been recognized for production of fish toxins and for its importance as geological markers via the preservation of their mineralized remains. But the Prymnesiophyta have achieved considerable notoriety in recent years not only because they have they been responsible for disastrous ichthyotoxic blooms in Scandinavian coastal waters, but because it now appears that their production of volatile sulphur compounds and calcifying mineralization may be adversely affecting our climate. This volume is the first book to bring together the scattered literature on this group and covers all the main aspects of Prymnesiophyte biology--including taxonomy, structure, ecology, biochemistry, origins, and evolution. Students and marine biologists studying algae, plankton, and ecology, as well as botanical microbiologists will want to read this important volume.

Lake Tanganyika, situated in the western rift system of East Africa, is the largest in volume of the African Great Lakes and the second deepest lake in the world. It is extremely ancient in comparison with most lakes. The aquatic flora and fauna are remarkable for their diversity and high degree of endemicity, as well as for the numbers of species and genera present. The lake has attracted international interest and much has been written about it. With its comprehensive bibliography, this book should provide a foundation of information that will be useful in further studies.

This and the companion volume describe and illustrate more than 2000 species, form selected protozoans to fishes, found in the coastal waters of the British Isles and north-western Europe. They cover all benthic habitats, from the intertidal zone to approximately 30 metres depth, and also includes representatives of estuarine and supralittoral faunas. Each major animal group is briefly introduced, with notes on the morphology, biology, and ecology of representative species, together with suitable techniques for their collection and study. Short bibliographies list the most important specialist literature for each group. Identification is facilitated by dichotomous keys, first to families, and then to genera or species. Short diagnostic accounts are given for each family and higher taxon; descriptions of all species treated are followed by notes on their ecological and geographical distribution. All species are illustrated by line drawings, with related species grouped together to facilitate comparisons. The two volumes comprise the most comprehensive account of the marine fauna of British and adjacent waters ever produced. It is intended as a bench work for both the professional and amateur marine biologist, as well as for undergraduate and postgraduate students. It is essentially a practical work; taxonomic and synonymic detail is deliberately kept to a minimum, with emphasis given to identification procedures.

This and the companion volume describe and illustrate more than 2000 species, from selected protozoans to fishes, found in the coastal waters of the British Isles and north-western Europe. They cover all benthic habitats, from the intertidal zone to approximately 30 metres depth, and also include representatives of estuarine and supralittoral faunas. Each major animal group is briefly introduced, with notes on the morphology, biology, and ecology of representative species, together with suitable techniques for their collection and study. Short bibliographies list the most important specialist literature for each group. Identification is facilitated by dichotomous keys, first to families, and then to genera or species. Short diagnostic accounts are given for each family and higher taxon; descriptions of all species treated are followed by notes on their ecological and geographical distribution. All species are illustrated by line drawings, with related species grouped together to facilitate comparisons. The two volumes comprise the most comprehensive single account of the marine fauna of British and adjacent waters ever produced. It is intended as a bench work for both professional and amateur marine biologist, as well as for undergraduate and postgraduate students. It is essentially a practical work; taxonomic and synonmic detail is deliberately kept to a minimum, with emphasis given to identification procedures.