The Biology of Ponds and Lakes

This is an introduction to the biology and ecology of lakes and ponds. It gives an overview of the evolution of freshwater organisms, the importance of biotic interactions – including competition, predation, parasitism, and symbiosis – and community level processes such as food web interactions. A final chapter on conservation discusses the threats posed to this crucial resource by human activities, and the measures that we might take to counteract these. Theoretical background is combined with empirical studies illustrating the different interactions found in freshwater systems and suggestions for practical experiments and observations that can be done in the laboratory or in the field are included. This book is intended for undergraduates in biology and environmental science taking courses in limnology or aquatic ecology. Students taking general courses in ecology or geography. General readers/naturalists interested in freshwater ecology.