Polar Lakes and Rivers: Limnology of Arctic and Antarctic Aquatic Ecosystems (Oxford Biology)

This is the first book to describe the ecology of high latitude lakes, rivers and glacial environments in both the North and South polar regions. From the lake-rich floodplains of the Arctic to the deep, enigmatic waters of Lake Vostok, Antarctica, these regions contain some of the most extraordinary aquatic ecosystems on Earth. They provide a fascinating diversity of habitats for plant, animal and microbial communities, and are proving to be valuable model systems for exploring many ecological themes including landscape-lake interactions, adaptation of life to environmental extremes, and controls on the structure and functioning of aquatic ecosystems. Some of these waters also have direct global implications, including permafrost thaw lakes as sources of greenhouse gases, subglacial aquatic environments as a storehouse of ancient microbes, and Arctic rivers as major inputs of freshwater and organic carbon to the World Ocean. Given that many polar areas are experiencing greater climate warming than at lower latitudes, these ecosystems can also be viewed as sentinels of global change. This timely volume brings together many of the world's leading researchers in polar limnology to describe these diverse aquatic environments and their ecology. It introduces each major ecosystem type, examines the similarities and differences between Arctic and Antarctic systems as well as their responses to environmental change, and describes new frontiers for future research. A glossary of terms is provided for non-specialists, and a set of colour plates introduces the ecosystems and their biota. Polar Lakes and Rivers will be of value to students and specialist researchers alike, as well as to those with a more general interest in aquatic ecology, polar environments or global change who require an authoritative overview of this fast emerging topic. This Timely Volume Brings Together Many Of The World's Leading Researchers In Polar Limnology To Describe These Diverse Aquatic Environments And Their Ecology. It Introduces Each Major Ecosystem Type, Examines The Similarities And Differences Between Arctic And Antarctic Systems As Well As Their Responses To Environmental Change, And Describes New Frontiers For Future Research. A Glossary Of Terms Is Provided For Non-specialists, And A Set Of Colour Plates Introduces The Ecosystems And Their Biota. Polar Lakes And Rivers Will Be Of Value To Students And Specialist Researchers Alike, As Well As To Those With A More General Interest In Aquatic Ecology, Polar Environments, Or Global Change Who Require An Authoritative Overview Of This Fast Emerging Topic.--jacket. 1. Introduction To The Limnology Of High-latitude Lake And River Ecosystems / Warwick P. Vincent, John E. Hobbie And Johanna Laybourn-parry -- 2. Origin And Geomorphology Of Lakes In The Polar Regions / Reinhard Pienitz, Peter T. Doran And Scott P. Lamoureux -- 3. High-latitude Paleolimnology / Dominic A. Hodgson And John P. Smol -- 4. Physical Limnology Of High-latitude Lakes / Warwick F. Vincent, Sally Macintyre, Robert H. Spigel And Isabelle Laurion -- 5. High-latitude Rivers And Streams / Diane M. Mcknight, Michael N. Gooseff, Warwick F. Vincent And Bruce J. Peterson -- 6. Ice-based Freshwater Ecosystems / Ian Hawes, Clive Howard-williams And Andrew G. Fountain -- 7. Antarctic Subglacial Water: Origin, Evolution, And Ecology / John C. Priscu, Slawek Tulaczyk, Michael Studinger, Mahlon C. Kennicutt Ii, Brent C. Christner And Christine M. Foreman -- 8. Biogeochemical Processes In High-latitude Lakes And Rivers / W. Berry Lyons And Jacques C. Finlay -- 9. Phytoplankton And Primary Production / Michael P. Lizotte -- 10. Benthic Primary Production In Polar Lakes And Rivers / Antonio Quesada, Eduardo Fernandez-valiente, Ian Hawes And Clive Howard-williams -- 11. Heterotrophic Microbial Processes In Polar Lakes / John E. Hobbie And Johanna Laybourn-parry -- 12. Microbial Biodiversity And Biogeography / David A. Pearce And Pierre E. Galand -- 13. Zooplankton And Zoobenthos In High-latitude Water Bodies / Milla Rautio, Ian A.e. Bayly, John A.e. Gibson And Marjut Nyman -- 14. Fish In High-latitude Arctic Lakes / Michael Power, James D. Reist And J. Brian Dempson -- 15. Food-web Relationships And Community Structures In High-latitude Lakes / Kirsten S. Christoffersen, Erik Jeppesen, Daryl L. Moorhead And Lars J. Tranvik -- 16. Direct Human Impacts On High-latitude Lakes And Rivers / Martin J. Riddle And Derek C.g. Muir -- 17. Future Directions In Polar Limnology / Johanna Laybourn-parry And Warwick F. Vincent. Edited By Warwick F. Vincent And Johanna Laybourn-parry. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. This title provides an overview of the ecology of high latitude lakes, rivers and glacial environments in both the North and South polar regions. It describes each ecosystem type, the remarkable aquatic life that thrives in these extreme habitats, and the similarities and differences between Arctic and Antarctic waters