The Biology of Streams and Rivers

The aim of each book in this series is to provide a synthesis of all aspects of the biology of a given habitat, its ecology, physiological adaptations, and physical constraints, for students and research biologists requiring a solid grounding in the area. 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 text provides an 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 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. This book is intended for undergraduates in biology, environmental science, or geography taking courses in fresh- and running-water biology. General readers with an interest in the ecology, biology, and conservation of rivers and streams.