Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

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.

General reviews on the methods of science, influence of scale, and the main features of freshwater systems. Coverage of several fundamental and applied ecological questions. A logical structure in each chapter that builds from a general observation of an ecological pattern, to an exploration of the various scientific approaches that can be used to investigate such patterns. Suggested further reading lists for each chapter.

Table of contents provided by Syndetics

• Full contents (p. vii)
• Preface (p. xiii)
• Part 1 The Tools of Freshwater Ecological Science (p. 1)
• Chapter 1 What is ecological science? (p. 3)
• Chapter 2 How does scale of measurement affect what we see? (p. 18)
• Chapter 3 Wonderful water: linkages from the atom to the biosphere (p. 31)
• Chapter 4 What is in lakes? (p. 41)
• Chapter 5 What is in rivers and streams? (p. 56)
• Part 2 Fundamental Ecological Questions (p. 75)
• Chapter 6 How are population numbers and structure affected by dispersal? (p. 77)
• Chapter 7 Why do organisms occupy particular habitats? (p. 92)
• Chapter 8 How do freshwater communities recover from disturbance? (p. 106)
• Chapter 9 What is the impact of predators in freshwater systems? (p. 124)
• Part 3 Applied Freshwater Ecology (p. 137)
• Chapter 10 What are the ecological effects of changing a water regime? (p. 139)
• Chapter 11 How do we assess the impact of pollution? (p. 157)
• Chapter 12 Can we fix smelly, green lakes? (p. 170)
• Chapter 13 What is the impact of introduced species? (p. 188)
• Concluding remarks (p. 204)
• Index (p. 207)

Reviews provided by Syndetics

CHOICE Review

For the most part, researchers learn how to conduct investigations on the job. This volume is one that scientists should have read early in their education, when learning how to do scientific research. It is not a factual, term-laden approach to freshwater ecology; rather it is an introduction to how scientists think about, plan for, and conduct research. Three well-recognized researchers--Closs (Univ. of Otago), Downes (Univ. of Melbourne), and Boulton (Univ. of New England)--deal with the intellectual and logical structure for doing scientific work within the framework of freshwater ecosystems. The book has three parts: "Tools of Freshwater Ecological Science," "Fundamental Ecological Questions," and "Applied Freshwater Ecology." Defined words are in bold type, and there are numerous graphs and illustrations. The authors make good use of cited references and include a useful, comprehensive index. For scientists beginning their graduate studies, this is a valuable how-to manual. It is also recommended for undergraduates majoring in biology, ecology, limnology, or any related sciences. This book is likely to be more useful than most researchers initially think. ^BSumming Up: Highly recommended. Upper-level undergraduates, graduate students, and researchers. P. E. Lutz Lenoir-Rhyne College

Author notes provided by Syndetics

Gerry Closs is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Otago. His research interests include ecology of freshwater fish and the structure and dynamics of food webs in streams and lakes.
Barbara Downes is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Melbourne with research experience in both freshwater and marine environments. She conducts research on questions in basic ecology as well as examining the effects of human impacts on the environment.
Andrew Boulton is an Associate Professor in Aquatic Ecology at the University of New England. His research interests lie in river ecology and management, temporary waters, surface water/groundwater interactions, and tertiary science education