The Biology of Streams and Rivers

Paul Giller and Bjorn Malmqvist

Biology of Habitats Series

Identifies the factors that make streams and rivers unique
Places the biology in historical, geographical, and physical perspectives
Includes a chapter on the important conservation issues currently affecting crucial running-water resources
Beautifully illustrated with many specially prepared line drawings

The Biology of Streams and Rivers

Paul Giller and Bjorn Malmqvist

Description

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.

The Biology of Streams and Rivers

Paul Giller and Bjorn Malmqvist

Biology of Habitats Series

Preface
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

The Biology of Streams and Rivers

Paul Giller and Bjorn Malmqvist

Biology of Habitats Series

Author Information

Paul Giller, Department of Zoology, University College, Cork, and Bjorn Malmqvist, Department of Animal Ecology, University of Umea, Sweden

The Biology of Streams and Rivers

Paul Giller and Bjorn Malmqvist

Biology of Habitats Series

Reviews and Awards

'...It is well written and the bibliography provides an in-depth coverage of the research literature on the subject which students will find of considerable value.' - ASLIB Book Guide, Vol. 64, No. 4, April 1999

'...unique introduction ot hte biology of running waters...It is well written and the bibliography provides an in depth coverage of the research literature on the subject which students will find of considerable value' Aslib Book Guide -

'...The clear writing style,extensive coverage and highly competitive price should certainly make this book attractive as an introductory text to the study of running waters and their biota' Ecology -

'...The Biology of Streams and Rivers is a very readable and enjoyable book. The wealth of inforamtion it contains is readily accessible and arranged in a logical and well laid out manner' Bulletin of the British Ecological Society -

'...readers will find plenty of life in this book, which provides an effervescent account of the biology of running waters...Giller and Malmqvist have produced a lively text, which I found very readable...Overall, I am impressed by this book, which succeeeds in providing an attractive, integrated overview of its subject' Freshwater Biology -

...'a very enjoyable read.....Gorel Marklund's drawings bring the stream organisms to life, and the choice of relevant data and conceptual diagrams is spot on..' Journal of Animal Ecology -

'...a very readable and enjoyable book,..' British Ecological Society. -

'...The proof of the pudding is always in the eating, or in this case feedback from several of my students to whom the book was lent. It is now firmly on their reading list....' Biological Conservation -

'My advice to everbody who is interested in rivers and streams and the life they contain, is buy this book, so full of the fascinating life that represents the highest biodiversity in fresh waters' Crustaceaura -

'I would strongly recommend this well_structured and accessible book to undergraduate students of freshwater biology both as an introductory text and as signpost to other more in-depth studies' Glasgow Naturalist -