The Production Ecology of Wetlands: The IBP Synthesis (International Biological Programme)

Wetlands are unique and fragile environments that provide a transition between aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Focusing on freshwater wetlands with emergent vegetation, this book considers productivity in relation to communities of animals and plants and their environments, mineral cycling, hydrology, and management. The contributors emphasize the biological interactions and processes underlying the structure and functioning of wetlands, revealing the need to appreciate the dynamics of the system to establish appropriate management and conservation practices. Based largely on research carried out during the International Biological Programme, this unique synthesis brings together a wealth of information, which until now had been widely dispersed in the literature and often difficult to locate. This comprehensive volume will be an important resource for all those concerned with the ecology, management and conservation of these sensitive natural habitats. Wetlands are unique and fragile environments that provide a transition between aquatic and terrestrial habitats. Focusing on freshwater wetlands with emergent vegetation, this 1999 book considers productivity in relation to communities of animals and plants and their environments, mineral cycling, hydrology and management. Emphasis is given to the biological interactions and processes underlying the structure and functioning of wetlands, revealing the need to appreciate the dynamics of the system to establish appropriate management and conservation practices. Based largely on research carried out during the International Biological Programme, this unique synthesis brings together a wealth of information, hitherto widely dispersed in the literature and often difficult to locate. As such it will be an important resource for all those concerned with the ecology, management and conservation of these sensitive natural habitats First published in 1999, this unique synthesis brings together a wealth of information hitherto widely dispersed in the literature and often difficult to locate. As such, it will provide an important resource for all those concerned with the ecology, management and conservation of these natural and sensitive habitats. Like all the chapters of this book, this is a co-operative work, written by the two main authors, with a contribution on geographical distribution by I.M. Raspopov, and with the help of comments from colleagues and the three editors. Edited By D.f. Westlake, J. Květ, And A. Szczepański. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.