This book describes the main features of tropical streams and their ecology. It covers the major physico-chemical features, important processes such as primary production and organic-matter transformation, as well as the main groups of consumers: invertebrates, fishes and other vertebrates. Information on concepts and paradigms developed in north-temperate latitudes and how they do not match the reality of ecosystems further south is expertly addressed. The pressing matter of conservation of tropical streams and their biodiversity is included in alomost every chapter, with a final chapter providing a synthesis on conservation issues. For the first time, Tropical Streams Ecology places an important emphasis on viewing research carried out in contributions from international literature.
* First synthetic account of the ecology of all types of tropical streams
* Covers all of the major tropical regions
* Detailed consideration of possible fundamental differences between tropical and temperate stream ecosystems
* Threats faced by tropical stream ecosystems and possible conservation actions
* Descriptions and synstheses life-histories and breeding patterns of major aquatic consumers (fishes, invertebrates)

Focuses on tropical East Asia, where there are no competing books dealing with conservation of freshwater animals and their habitats. Takes a case-study based approach emphasizing the multiple, interacting threats facing freshwater animals, and draws attention to the conservation challenges that will be faced in mitigating them. Based on extensive experience in the region, the author points draws attention to the analogous threats to freshwater animals and human livelihoods in tropical East Asia, and demonstrates that unsustainable use of rivers and lakes by some stakeholders is detrimental both to other humans and aquatic biodiversity.

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.

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.