Ecology Of A Glacial Flood Plain (aquatic Ecology Series)
by J.V. Ward /
2010 / English / PDF
32.8 MB Download
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.
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.
