The Biology of Streams and Rivers

Although they constitute less than 1% of the world's water, freshwaters play a vital role in life on Earth. Running water, or lotic, habitats comprise a tiny proportion of these freshwaters, yet they offer important resources and are rich and complex environments. This book provides an essential introduction to the biology and ecology of lotic habitats, and their constituent organisms. Rarely has the breadth and complexity of all aspects of the biology of streams and rivers been dealt with in a single volume. The aim of this book is to delve into the rich and growing literature, and to provide an up-to-date introduction to stream and river biology. It begins by outlining the factors that make running water habitats unique, and describing the many different water-course systems. The authors then outline the range of living organisms in lotic habitats, and the environmental adaptations they exhibit. They discuss population, community, and ecosystem patterns and processes, such as energy flow, nutrient cycling, migration, food webs, and community structure. Each chapter includes practical information on simple studies and experiments for students to try. The book finishes with a discussion of applied issues surrounding water use, pollution, species diversity, and conservation of this fascinating and immensely important habitat.
"This book, a comprehensive overview written as an undergraduate text, provides more than a glimpse of the life below the water surface of streams and rivers. It 'delves into the rich and growing literature and provides an up-to-date introduction to stream and river biology.' The authors describe the different kinds of watercourses; outline the range of living organisms of rivers, and their adaptations; discuss population, community and ecosystem patterns and processes such as energy flow and secondary production; and discuss applied issues such as the effects of pollution, tourism, sport fishing and exotic species."--Aquaphyte

"Running water like fire, holds a fascination to the human eye, and to the freshwater biologist this fascination extends below the water surface. From the earliest descriptive investigations, it became clear how morphological and behavioral adaptations of the organisms related to the major environmental conditions of the habitat, particularly flow, substrate and water chemistry, as well as species interactions. . . . The Biology of Streams and Rivers is an up-to-date and comprehensive introduction to the study of stream and river biology worldwide. . . . The book is designed to provide a grounding in research in the area as well as a basis for field courses, project work, or for lectures. Its aim is to encourage students, researchers new to the field, and interested naturalists to couple the intellectual rewards of studying this exciting subject with work in the field in what are pleasant and fascinating habitats."--Biology Digest

"The biology of running waters is a very large topic for which this small volume aims to provide an overview. It is written by stream ecologists primarily as an undergraduate textbook, but also for anyone interested in freshwater biology. A good volume should both inform and stimulate readers to want to learn more, and this book accomplishes these goals. ... [T]he authors' enthusiasm for their subjecPreface ; Acknowledgements ; 1. Runnning waters: a unique habitat ; 2. Running water habitats ; 3. The habitat templet ; 4. Life in running waters ; 5. Adaptations to life in running waters ; 6. Energy and nutrients ; 7. Movement and interaction ; 8. Community patterns, diversity, and biogeography ; 9. The use, abuse, and conservation of running waters ; Studies in running waters ; Further reading ; References ; Index