The Biology of Streams and Rivers (Biology of Habitats) [Paperback]

Paul S. Giller (Author), Bjï¿1/2rn Malmqvist (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0198549776 | ISBN-13: 978-0198549772 | Publication Date: February 18, 1999

An easy-to-read, beautifully illustrated undergraduate-level introduction to fresh- and running-water biology. Each chapter includes practical information on simple studies and experiments for students to try. The text begins with the physical features that define running water (lotic) habitats then continues with organisms that inhabit these habitats, and concludes with a discussion of applied issues surrounding water use, including pollution, species diversity, and conservation. The authors 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. Particular consideration is given to links between stream and river channels and their surrounding landscapes, to short-term and seasonal changes, and to historical and biogeographical factors. The text concludes with a section of additional practical field work activities and a list for further reading.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"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 subject radiates as they deftly relate, along with many examples, ecological principles and hypotheses to the study of freshwater biology. Here they do a superb job of integrating the ecological and stream literature, and I was delighted to find a substantial amount of material that I can use in my ecology course. ... [T]he authors have done an excellent job of synthesizing the stream literature into a cogent textbook that teachers and anyone interested in stream biology will find stimulating and useful."--The Quarterly Review of Biology

About the Author

Paul Giller, Department of Zoology and Animal Ecology, University College Cork, Ireland. email: [e-mail] Bjorn Malmqvist, Umea University, Department of Animal Ecology, 901 87 Umea. email: [e-mail]

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (February 18, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0198549776
• ISBN-13: 978-0198549772
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #737,427 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Biology of Streams and Rivers, December 15, 1999

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Robert Hamilton IV "aiptasia" (Canton, OH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Biology of Streams and Rivers (Biology of Habitats) (Paperback)

This is a very good introductory text on how streams and rivers function. It covers the habitat, organisms that live in them, and factors that affect them. The book has numerous references of source material and additional reading. I recommend this as great background material for this subject area.