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Ecology of a Glacial Flood Plain

  • Book
  • © 2003

Overview

Editors:
  1. J. V. Ward

    1. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland
      Swiss Federal Institute for Environmental Science and Technology (EAWAG), Dübendorf, Switzerland

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  2. U. Uehlinger

    1. Department of Limnology, Swiss Federal Institute for Environmental Science and Technology (EAWAG), Dübendorf, Switzerland

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  • Provides an important baseline foundation for examination of the extent and rapidity of impending changes

Part of the book series: Aquatic Ecology Series (AQEC, volume 1)

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Table of contents (16 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xvii
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  2. Val Roseg: A High Alpine Catchment

    • U. Uehlinger, M. Maisch, C. Rothenbühler, R. Zah
    Pages 1-16

  3. Glacial History and Floodplain Evolution

    • R. Zah, M. Maisch, U. Uehlinger, C. Rothenbühler
    Pages 17-36

  4. Groundwater-Surface Water Interactions

    • F. Malard
    Pages 37-56

  5. Channel Typology

    • K. Tockner, F. Malard
    Pages 57-73

  6. Thermal Heterogeneity

    • U. Uehlinger, F. Malard
    Pages 75-90

  7. Nutrient Dynamics

    • K. Tockner, R. Illi, F. Malard, U. Uehlinger
    Pages 91-107

  8. Terrestrial Floodplain Vegetation

    • C. Wellstein, U. Uehlinger, R. Zah
    Pages 109-121

  9. Aquatic Hyphomycetes in Alpine Streams

    • M. O. Gessner, C. T. Robinson
    Pages 123-137

  10. Aquatic Flora

    • H. R. Bürgi, P. Burgherr, U. Uehlinger
    Pages 139-151

  11. Surface Zoobenthos

    • P. Burgherr, B. Klein, C. T. Robinson, K. Tockner
    Pages 153-174

  12. Interstitial Fauna

    • F. Malard
    Pages 175-198

  13. Organic Matter Dynamics

    • U. Uehlinger, R. Zah
    Pages 199-215

  14. Litter Decomposition

    • C. T. Robinson, M. O. Gessner
    Pages 217-230

  15. Nutrient Limitation

    • C. T. Robinson, U. Uehlinger, M. O. Gessner
    Pages 231-241

  16. Drift and Colonization Dynamics

    • K. Tockner, C. T. Robinson, P. Burgherr
    Pages 243-257

  17. Synthesis and Perspectives

    • C. T. Robinson, P. Burgherr, F. Malard, K. Tockner, U. Uehlinger
    Pages 259-271

  18. Back Matter

    Pages 273-306
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Keywords

About this book

This book is a monograph reporting the major findings from a comprehensive study of a glacial flood plain in the Swiss Alps, based on an intensive research program conducted year-round over several years. Until recently, very little was known regarding the ecology of glacial streams. Previous studies typically focused on one or a few aspects and were limited to the summer period. Moreover, this is the first ecological study of a glacial flood plain with a dynamic, multi-thread channel network. Year-round sampling of a system with a complex channel network spawned unanticipated results and new insights into the ecology of glacial streams. The book begins with the landscape features, glacial history, and floodplain evolution of the Val Roseg. This is followed by chapters on channel typology, groundwater-surfacewater interactions, thermal heterogeneity, and nutrient dynamics. Chapters on the biota deal with terrestrial and aquatic flora, hyphomycete fungi, surface zoobenthos, and the interstitial fauna. Functional processes are addressed in chapters on organic matter dynamics, litter decomposition, nutrient limitation, and drift and colonization patterns. The final chapter provides a synthesis of our current understanding of the ecology of Val Roseg. Weare indebted to many individuals and organizations for assistance and support of the research program on the Val Roseg and the production of this book.

Reviews

"Ecology of a Glacial Flood Plain is particularly useful to ecologists, limnologists, environmental activists, and anyone involved in management of dynamic freshwater resources."
Professor R.G. Wetzel, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA, Series Editor "Aquatic Ecology


"Prof. Ward and Dr. Uehlinger present in this edited volume an extraordinarily comprehensive and well integrated study of a Swiss alpine stream and its floodplain; it is a model to follow for the study of streams."
William M. Lewis, Jr., Center for Limnology, University of Colorado, USA


"The authors, among the best experts in the field, treat the subject in a scholarly way: from glacial history to colonization dynamics, from the role of the terrestrial vegetation to channel stability and litter decomposition. The volume, subdivided into 16 chapters, discusses - among other topics - the role of interstitial fauna, of algae and hyphomycetes in organic matter dynamics. It provides not only updated information in great detail, but also a synthesis and perspectives. It is easy to predict that this book will become a standard in running water ecology and a must for ecologists interested in alpine environments and global change effects on pristine habitats."
Roland Psenner, Professor of Limnology, University of Innsbruck, Austria


"Unlike most of its predecessors the present volume is much more comprehensive in its scope and coverage, as befits the outcome of a multidisciplinary study based on an intensive research program. This volume provides a valuable record of a major investigation into the structure and functioning of a previously understudied type of river system. It is authoritatively written, outstandingly illustrated and attractively produced."
Mike Winterbourn, in Book Reviews of Freshwater Biology 49, 2004


"The findings of the huge and wel elaborated project set a new standard for flood plain and glacial research; this book is a milestone for relevant research"
Prof. Heinz Löffler, Universität Wien, Book Reviews, SIL News 45, May 2005

Editors and Affiliations

  • Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH), Zurich, Switzerland

    J. V. Ward

  • Swiss Federal Institute for Environmental Science and Technology (EAWAG), Dübendorf, Switzerland

    J. V. Ward

  • Department of Limnology, Swiss Federal Institute for Environmental Science and Technology (EAWAG), Dübendorf, Switzerland

    U. Uehlinger

Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Ecology of a Glacial Flood Plain

  • Editors: J. V. Ward, U. Uehlinger

  • Series Title: Aquatic Ecology Series

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-0181-5

  • Publisher: Springer Dordrecht

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

  • Copyright Information: Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2003

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-4020-1792-6Published: 31 December 2003

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-90-481-6507-0Published: 08 December 2010

  • eBook ISBN: 978-94-017-0181-5Published: 09 March 2013

  • Series ISSN: 1573-4595

  • Series E-ISSN: 2543-005X

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XVII, 306

  • Topics: Environmental Science and Engineering, Ecology, Freshwater & Marine Ecology, Nature Conservation

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