Stream Ecology: Structure and Function of Running Waters, 2nd Edition

by J. David Allan, María M. Castillo

Stream Structure and Function of Running Waters is designed to serve as a textbook for advanced undergraduate and graduate students, and as a reference source for specialists in stream ecology and related fields. The Second Edition is thoroughly updated and expanded to incorporate significant advances in our understanding of environmental factors, biological interactions, and ecosystem processes, and how these vary with hydrological, geomorphological, and landscape setting.



The broad diversity of running waters – from torrential mountain brooks, to large, lowland rivers, to great river systems whose basins occupy sub-continents – makes river ecosystems appear overwhelming complex. A central theme of this book is that although the settings are often unique, the processes at work in running waters are general and increasingly well understood.



Even as our scientific understanding of stream ecosystems rapidly advances, the pressures arising from diverse human activities continue to threaten the health of rivers worldwide. This book presents vital new findings concerning human impacts, and the advances in pollution control, flow management, restoration, and conservation planning that point to practical solutions.



Reviews of the first



".. an unusually lucid and judicious reassessment of the state of stream ecology"
Science Magazine



"..provides an excellent introduction to the area for advanced undergraduates and graduate students…" Limnology & Oceanography



"… a valuable reference for all those interested in the ecology of running waters."
Transactions of the American Fisheries Society

Genres: Nonfiction, Ecology

450 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1993

Reviews

[Destini Petitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. It's slammed packed with information about streams. Covers topics from geomorphology to river regimes and water chemistry. Also, lots about stream abiotic and biotic factors. Great read for anyone interested in stream science.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid reference, packed with info. Its coverage of some topics is now a bit dated (2nd ed. published in 2007), especially when it comes to anything microbial, but this is still the go-to book in the field.

[Alex Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Includes a huge amount of information, and reads more like a literature review than a textbook. The presentation is quite technical and it was somewhat difficult for me to read and access information. Provides a good launch pad if the information included is insufficient.

[Skunk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was actually kind of disappointed in the amount of information this book had. It reads well, but when I was looking for specific information, it didn't have as much as I was hoping.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

For my science friends, one to add to your bookshelf if you don't have it.

[Kyla]

Read to page 135