The Biology of Freshwater Wetlands (Biology of Habitats Series)

This introduction to freshwater wetlands describes those abiotic features of wetlands that make them unique as a habitat and examines in detail the adaptations, distributions, and interactions of various organisms (microbes, invertebrates, plants, and vertebrates) that collectively form wetland ecosystems. All kinds of freshwater wetlands are covered including lacustrine, palustrine, riverine and tidal forms. The management, conservation and restoration of wetlands are also covered. This is an accessible text suitable for both undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in wetland ecology as well as professional researchers in the fields of limnology and freshwater ecology requiring a concise overview of the topic. Global wetlands range from moss-dominated arctic peatlands to seasonally-flooded tropical floodplains, and exhibit significant differences in both hydrology and species composition. However, rather than concentrating on the detailed characteristics of specific wetland types, this concise textbook emphasizes their universal environmental and biological features. A combination of hydrology, low oxygen levels, and dense plant canopies are the major defining features of wetland habitats. Due to the slow diffusion of oxygen in water, oxygen in wetland soils and water columns is often very low or absent. The adaptations of wetland micro-organisms, invertebrates, plants, and vertebrates to anaerobic conditions (and their functional consequences) are a major theme of this book. Plant canopies create complex gradients of light, temperature and oxygen that change daily and seasonally. The book demonstrates how these shifting environmental gradients are responsible for the distribution of algae, invertebrates, and vertebrates in wetlands. Another major focus is on water level fluctuations and how they can affect the flora, fauna, and functions of wetlands. The future of wetlands is also examined, including the potential impacts of global climate change and efforts to restore wetlands.The Biology of Freshwater Wetlands provides a concise, easy to read introduction for anyone working in the field of wetland ecology. It will be ideal for undergraduate and graduate students as well as professional researchers in the fields of limnology and freshwater ecology requiring a concise overview of the topic. "This introduction to freshwater wetlands describes those abiotic features of wetlands that make them unique as a habitat and examines in detail the adaptations, distributions, and interactions of various organisms (microbes, invertebrates, plants, and vertebrates) that collectively form wetland ecosystems. All kinds of freshwater wetlands are covered including lacustrine, palustrine, riverine and tidal forms. The management, conservation and restoration of wetlands are also covered. This is an accessible text suitable for both undergraduate and graduate students taking courses in wetland ecology as well as professional researchers in the fields of limnology and freshwater ecology requiring a concise overview of the topic."--Publisher's note. & i & The Biology of Freshwater Wetlands & i/ & provides a concise, easy to read introduction for anyone working in the field of wetland ecology. It will be ideal for undergraduate and graduate students as well as professional researchers in the fields of limnology and freshwater ecology requiring a concise overview of the topic. - ;Global wetlands range from moss-dominated artic peatlands to seasonally-flooded tropical floodplains, and exhibit significant differences in both hydrology and species composition. However, rather than concentrating on the detailed characteristics of specific wetland type &I&The Biology of Freshwater Wetlands&i/& provides a concise,easy to read introduction for anyone working in the field of wetland ecology. It will be ideal for undergraduate and graduate students as well as professional researchers in the fields of limnology and freshwater ecology requiring a concise overview of the topic. - ;Global wetlands range from moss-dominated arctic peat lands to seasonally-flooded tropical floodplains, and exhibit significant differences in both hydrology and species composition. However, rather than concentrating on the detailed characteristics of specific wetland type. Global wetlands range from moss-nominated arctic peatlands to seasonally-flooded tropical floodplains. Emphasizing on their universal environmental and biological features, this book is useful for those working in the field of wetland ecology. It is also suitable for students and researchers in the fields of limnology and freshwater ecology. Arnold G. Van Der Valk. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [155]-168) And Index.