This book summarizes research from 50 years of intensive study of a pristine subalpine lake ecosystem and its catchment. Coverage spans a range of topics, including studies focusing on changes in ice cover, water temperature, zooplankton, benthos and fish.

This book summarizes research from the intensive study of a pristine subalpine lake ecosystem and its catchment over the last 50 years. A wide range of topics is presented, including several unique time series focusing on changes in ice cover, water temperature, zooplankton, benthos and fish. Significant changes in the lake fauna after the introduction of European minnow into an ecosystem where brown trout was the sole fish species have been documented. The area received substantial radioactive fallout from the Chernobyl accident in 1986, and two articles address long-term changes in radiocaesium activity concentrations in allochthonous plant material and in fish. Other topics include palaeoecology, mercury in fish and remote sensing of catchment snows. Such long-term research is crucial in a rapidly changing environment due to the impacts of climate change, long-range pollutants and alien species. This provides a solid basis for future monitoring and management of freshwater ecosystems. The book will not only be of interest to freshwater ecologists working in the field, but also for managers responsible for the protection and monitoring of natural areas. It illustrates the changes now taking place in pristine ecosystems as a result of human activities and will serve as a supplementary text for courses in environmental management.

Rivers of Europe, Second Edition, presents the latest update on the only primary source of complete and comparative baseline data on the biological and hydrological characteristics of more than 180 of the highest profile rivers in Europe. With even more full-color photographs and maps, the book includes conservation information on current patterns of river use and the extent to which human society has exploited and impacted them. Each chapter includes up to 10 featured rivers, with detailed information on their physiography, hydrology, ecology/biodiversity and human impacts. Rivers selected for specific coverage include the largest, the most natural, and those most affected by humans. This book provides the most comprehensive information ecologists and conservation managers need to better assess their management and meet the EU legislative good governance targets. - Includes comparison photos of rivers, along with information on the history and management of each river - Presents summary information on hydrological, ecological and freshwater biodiversity patterns and trends of each river - Highlights environmental issues of great importance to citizens and governments, including fragmentation by dams, pollution, introduction of nonnative species and reductions in biodiversity

A derivative of the Encyclopedia of Inland Waters, Lake Ecosystem Ecology examines the workings of the lake and reservoir ecosystems of our planet. Information and perspectives crucial to the understanding and management of current environmental problems are covered, such as eutrophication, acid rain and climate change. Because the articles are drawn from an encyclopedia, the articles are easily accessible to interested members of the public, such as conservationists and environmental decision makers. - Includes an up-to-date summary of global aquatic ecosystems and issues - Covers current environmental problems and management solutions - Features full-color figures and tables to support the text and aid in understanding

Shallow lakes are important for their amenity value and the ecosystem services that they support. However, many are located in areas of high population density and intensive farming activity. As such, they are subject to many stressors, including eutrophication and climate change. This book examines 40 years of data from Loch Leven, a shallow lake in the lowlands of Scotland, UK, to gain a better understanding of the links between pollution, climate change and ecological response at the landscape scale. A wide range of topics is presented, including long term changes in nutrient inputs, internal phosphorus loading, water quality, algal concentrations, and the biodiversity of macrophytes, zooplankton, benthic invertebrates, fish and waterfowl. The book provides evidence that attempts to improve ecosystem services at this site in the past have often resulted in unintended consequences for the lake and the local community. It concludes that successful management actions in the future are likely to be those that incorporate lessons learned from previous decisions. This book will be of great interest to freshwater ecologists working in the field and managers responsible for the protection and monitoring of natural areas. It is also suitable as a supplementary text for courses in freshwater science and environmental management​

This book contains extended versions of papers presented at the 1st International Conference on Lake Sustainability held at the Wessex Institute of Technology (WIT) campus in the New Forest. The meeting is a natural link in the chain of sustainability conferences that WIT regularly arranges. A wide spectrum of contributions focusing on lake sustainability and many up-to-date aspects of lake management and limnology are covered by the fifteen papers selected for publication The papers draw an excellent picture of the recent developments in lake modelling, limnology of lakes and lake management. Readers will find useful the sustainability image of lakes presented in this volume.

Most aquatic ecosystems have variable water levels. These water-level fluctuations (WLF) have multiple effects on the organisms above and below the waterline. Natural WLF patterns in lakes guarantee both productivity and biodiversity, while untimely floods and droughts may have negative effects. Human impacts on WLF have led to a stabilization of the water levels of many lakes by hydraulic regulation, untimely drawdown due to water use, or floods due to water release from hydropower plants in the catchments. This book provides a first review in this field. It presents selected papers on the ecological effects of WLF in lakes, resulting from a workshop at the University of Konstanz in winter 2005. Issues addressed here include the extent of WLF, and analyses of their effects on different groups of biota from microorganisms to vertebrates. Applied issues include recommendations for the hydrological management of regulated lakes to reduce negative impacts, and a conceptual framework is delivered by an extension of the floodpulse concept for lakes. Current impacts on water use, including increasing demands on drinking and irrigation water, hydropower etc., and climate change effects on WLF make this book an essential resource for aquatic ecologists, engineers, and decision-makers dealing with the management of lake ecosystems and their catchments.