Streams: Their Ecology and Life - Softcover

Cushing, Colbert E.; Allan, J. David

  • 3.88 out of 5 stars
    8 ratings by Goodreads
 
9780120503407: Streams: Their Ecology and Life

Synopsis

Streams is a handbook that combines a discussion of the ecology of streams and rivers, in layperson language, with an illustrated field guide of the plants and animals found in running waters of North America. Various illustrations and maps accompany the text. The authors are extremely well known--Cushing is the lead content provider for an America On-Line service provided through Trout Unlimited entitled "Ask Dr. Cushing." He is frequently asked the sorts of questions that are answered in this field guide. J. David Allan is the author of a well known textbook in Aquatic Ecology.

"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.

About the Author

Colbert E. Cushing was a Senior Research Scientist with the Battelle-Pacific Northwest Laboratory in Richland, Washington, until semi-retiring in 1996. He was an Adjunct Professor at Washington State University-Tri Cities, and held an Affiliate Faculty appointment at Colorado State University. He was one of the scientists instrumental in the formulation and testing of the River Continuum Concept. He has published widely in scientific journals and books, was the lead editor of River and Stream Ecosystems, and co-authored Streams: Their Ecology and Life. He served on the editorial boards for the journals Ecology and Journal of the North American Benthological Society (NABS) and was past president of NABS. He was co-editor for the first edition of Rivers of North America and Field Guide to Rivers of North America (2010) and passed away before the completion of the second edition.

From the Back Cover

Streams are important habitats and are complicated because so many different kinds of animals and plants live in or near them. This book, in four parts, explains stream ecology to the general reader. The first part describes the ecological processes and interactions that take place in streams and rivers. The dynamic aspects of streams, including the abiotic factors, energy sources, and food webs, are defined, described, and reviewed. The second part of the book is a simplified classification of streams and rivers that relies on the size of the river as well as on the geographic location of rivers. The third part of the book is a description of the animals and plants commonly in and along the streams and rivers mostly of North America. The last chapter of the book is devoted to the various threats to America's rivers and streams.
"This informative volume is exactly what has long been needed - a book that tells us how rivers and their essential life systems work. Every reader's understanding of our watery lifelines will be enhanced by the superb knowledge and wisdom that these fine scientists impart. Streams: Their Ecology and Life will become a useful tool for better care of our waterways and an essential companion to river enthusiasts."
@source:--TIM PALMER, author of Lifelines: The Case for River Conservation, America by Rivers, and The Heart of America.

"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.