xi
environments, their physico-chemical characteristics, their biota and the
ecosystem processes therein. Limnology is, therefore, universal in its
signifi cance.
People, in general, on a global scale, have been aware of the quality and
biotic resources of their lentic and lotic bodies. However, limnology emerged
as a science in Europe. It matured and fl ourished in Europe and North
America where institutes of limnology were established in many countries.
Limnologists from these regions had explored regions in Asia, Africa and
South America for collecting various limnological information. Despite a
continued interest in the tropics, the development of limnology as a science
in the developing countries, majority of which lie in the tropical belt, has, in
general, lagged far behind. Unequal development of the subject of limnology
has been noticed in different countries of Asia, Africa, etc., mainly because
of differences on infrastructure, expertise and emphasis being laid on
the subject. Various international organisations, like the UNESCO and the
International Association for Theoretical and Applied Limnology (SIL), have
been playing a key role in promoting limnological study and research in
different countries.
Concomitant to the above, the watershed approach is a novel one. The
watershed is a manageable hydrological unit that makes a harmonious use of
the prevailing climate, soils, water, locally available material and human
resources towards stepping up crop yields. The watershed approach provides
the ideal means for integrated development. It involves the exploration and
development of the complex interrelationship between the watershed
resources and the population of the region and has opened up new vistas in
agricultural development and helped in improving and stabilising crop
production.
In view of the above, plenty of interest has been shown in biodiversity of
the freshwater environment in recent years. Further, environmental education
has been made compulsory at school and college levels today. Even in
recent years, many graduate and postgraduate courses have ‘limnology’ as
an integral and important aspect of study. As a result, there is a need for a
comprehensive book on the ‘Limnology of Wetlands, Lakes and Reservoirs’.
Hence, the present treatise has been prepared to meet the requirements of
students of biological sciences who are interested in studying different
aspects of limnology. Thus, the gap has been fulfi lled by the present treatise.
The proposed book could be useful for ecologists, fi shery biologists, students,
scientists and policymakers as a reference material. Further, this treatise
could be useful not only to students of biology but also to conservationists,
environmentalists, investigators, etc.
This book is basically designed to be primarily used in two ways: (a) as a
textbook in introductory courses in limnology and wetland biology and (b) as
a reference for the research workers and administrators. Nevertheless, there is
enough material in the 32 chapters of this treatise to be used in many different
ways, namely, in many different course settings, e.g., limnology, hydrobiology,
aquatic ecology, aquatic biology and aquatic resource management.
Preface
environments, their physico-chemical characteristics, their biota and the
ecosystem processes therein. Limnology is, therefore, universal in its
signifi cance.
People, in general, on a global scale, have been aware of the quality and
biotic resources of their lentic and lotic bodies. However, limnology emerged
as a science in Europe. It matured and fl ourished in Europe and North
America where institutes of limnology were established in many countries.
Limnologists from these regions had explored regions in Asia, Africa and
South America for collecting various limnological information. Despite a
continued interest in the tropics, the development of limnology as a science
in the developing countries, majority of which lie in the tropical belt, has, in
general, lagged far behind. Unequal development of the subject of limnology
has been noticed in different countries of Asia, Africa, etc., mainly because
of differences on infrastructure, expertise and emphasis being laid on
the subject. Various international organisations, like the UNESCO and the
International Association for Theoretical and Applied Limnology (SIL), have
been playing a key role in promoting limnological study and research in
different countries.
Concomitant to the above, the watershed approach is a novel one. The
watershed is a manageable hydrological unit that makes a harmonious use of
the prevailing climate, soils, water, locally available material and human
resources towards stepping up crop yields. The watershed approach provides
the ideal means for integrated development. It involves the exploration and
development of the complex interrelationship between the watershed
resources and the population of the region and has opened up new vistas in
agricultural development and helped in improving and stabilising crop
production.
In view of the above, plenty of interest has been shown in biodiversity of
the freshwater environment in recent years. Further, environmental education
has been made compulsory at school and college levels today. Even in
recent years, many graduate and postgraduate courses have ‘limnology’ as
an integral and important aspect of study. As a result, there is a need for a
comprehensive book on the ‘Limnology of Wetlands, Lakes and Reservoirs’.
Hence, the present treatise has been prepared to meet the requirements of
students of biological sciences who are interested in studying different
aspects of limnology. Thus, the gap has been fulfi lled by the present treatise.
The proposed book could be useful for ecologists, fi shery biologists, students,
scientists and policymakers as a reference material. Further, this treatise
could be useful not only to students of biology but also to conservationists,
environmentalists, investigators, etc.
This book is basically designed to be primarily used in two ways: (a) as a
textbook in introductory courses in limnology and wetland biology and (b) as
a reference for the research workers and administrators. Nevertheless, there is
enough material in the 32 chapters of this treatise to be used in many different
ways, namely, in many different course settings, e.g., limnology, hydrobiology,
aquatic ecology, aquatic biology and aquatic resource management.
Preface