Preface to the Second Edition
The response by both instructors and students to the first edition of Limnological
Analyses, which appeared slightly over a decade ago, has been most gratifying. The
intent then was to provide a series of interrelated field and laboratory exercises on
basic subjects of limnology. Those objectives have not changed. Here we present a
revised, updated, and expanded version.
The 29 exercises examine a broad range of topics concerned with both standing
and running fresh waters. The complex mechanisms controlling the metabolism and
dynamics of biotic populations and communities in aquatic ecosystems require an
understanding of physical and chemical variables. About one-third of the exercises
address the major physical components of lakes and streams, important mineral
nutrients, and organic matter. The remainder of the exercises provide rationale and
methods for quantitative analyses of the biota, as well as some integrated analyses
of whole ecosystems. A few exercises address the effects of human activities on aquatic
ecosystems.
The later exercises usually build on experience gained in the earlier ones. Although
most of the exercises can be performed largely in an intensive afternoon, sometimes
additional time beyond the scheduled classroom hours may be needed. Certain
subjects, such as decomposition, do not lend themselves to simple, short-term analyses.
We urge that exercises requiring more time not be avoided, because the subjects are
of major importance, and we have found them to be particularly informative in our
limnological classes. Often these longer exercises provide an opportunity for more
independent individual or small team projects, with results that may be reported to
the entire class in effective learning experiences.
Each exercise consists generally of a brief introduction to the topic with a statement
of its limnological relevance or importance. We selected methods to illustrate a variety
of problems and how they might be solved. Although the methods presented are
nearly always of contemporary research quality, our intentions were not to provide
a rigorous manual of limnological methods, even though many sections could be and
have been used for research purposes. Certain techniques presented in the book are
not the best available, but they provide an introduction to the subject within the
constraints of time, facilities, and experience of the classroom. Where better methods
are available, we have attempted to provide references to these techniques.
As previously, each exercise provides three or more options in an attempt to
accommodate various time, logistic, and equipment constraints or to allow some
students to pursue a more ambitious course of study. We have been gratified that
students often have pursued aggressively many of these suggested extensions of the
exercises. Wherever possible, we have attempted to combine and integrate field and
The response by both instructors and students to the first edition of Limnological
Analyses, which appeared slightly over a decade ago, has been most gratifying. The
intent then was to provide a series of interrelated field and laboratory exercises on
basic subjects of limnology. Those objectives have not changed. Here we present a
revised, updated, and expanded version.
The 29 exercises examine a broad range of topics concerned with both standing
and running fresh waters. The complex mechanisms controlling the metabolism and
dynamics of biotic populations and communities in aquatic ecosystems require an
understanding of physical and chemical variables. About one-third of the exercises
address the major physical components of lakes and streams, important mineral
nutrients, and organic matter. The remainder of the exercises provide rationale and
methods for quantitative analyses of the biota, as well as some integrated analyses
of whole ecosystems. A few exercises address the effects of human activities on aquatic
ecosystems.
The later exercises usually build on experience gained in the earlier ones. Although
most of the exercises can be performed largely in an intensive afternoon, sometimes
additional time beyond the scheduled classroom hours may be needed. Certain
subjects, such as decomposition, do not lend themselves to simple, short-term analyses.
We urge that exercises requiring more time not be avoided, because the subjects are
of major importance, and we have found them to be particularly informative in our
limnological classes. Often these longer exercises provide an opportunity for more
independent individual or small team projects, with results that may be reported to
the entire class in effective learning experiences.
Each exercise consists generally of a brief introduction to the topic with a statement
of its limnological relevance or importance. We selected methods to illustrate a variety
of problems and how they might be solved. Although the methods presented are
nearly always of contemporary research quality, our intentions were not to provide
a rigorous manual of limnological methods, even though many sections could be and
have been used for research purposes. Certain techniques presented in the book are
not the best available, but they provide an introduction to the subject within the
constraints of time, facilities, and experience of the classroom. Where better methods
are available, we have attempted to provide references to these techniques.
As previously, each exercise provides three or more options in an attempt to
accommodate various time, logistic, and equipment constraints or to allow some
students to pursue a more ambitious course of study. We have been gratified that
students often have pursued aggressively many of these suggested extensions of the
exercises. Wherever possible, we have attempted to combine and integrate field and