1
D. Kar, Wetlands and Lakes of the World,
DOI 10.1007/978-81-322-1023-8_1, © Springer India 2013
1.1
Basic Concepts of Limnology
‘Limnology’, basically, is the study of different
aspects of water which indeed is part of the broad
domain of ecology and environment. As such, the
concept of limnology would be instilled into the
young mind through a series of steps.
1.2
Ecology and Environment
An organism is best adapted to its favourable environment. Understanding of aquatic life requires
knowledge of the external infl uences which
directly or indirectly affect the organisms. Hence,
that subdivision of biology which has, as its
special discourse, the study of interrelationships
between the organisms and their environment is
called ‘ecology’, which continues unabatedly to
enjoy universal adoption of accepted designation
(Welch, 1935 ). Although the terms hexiology, natural history, etc. are sometimes considered synonymous to ecology, Shelford ( 1929 ) considered
‘ecology’ as the science of communities having, as
its central principle, the interrelationships which
exist between organisms and their environment.
Concomitant to above, the term ‘environment’
denotes ‘space’ on, below or above the surface of
the earth. These are classifi ed as (a) lithosphere
(the land mass) and (b) the hydrosphere (the water
mass), both standing and running, as well as, the
subterranean waters. Upon the latter is based the
discipline called ‘hydrography’, which, in turn,
includes ‘oceanography’ (concerned with salt
water) and ‘limnology’ (deals with freshwater).
Although there are many important differences between salt and freshwaters in addition to
mere extent and mass, oceanography and limnology have many things in common; and advances
in either fi eld often fi gure prominently in the
progress of the other.
1.3
Limnology
From the dawn of human civilisation, its establishment and development have generally been
in close proximity to water, namely, the lakes/
wetlands and the rivers. In addition to using
freshwater for drinking, agriculture and navigation, man has been using freshwater for
various other purposes like energy production,
industrial growth and waste and effl uent disposal. Further, certain other factors like contaminated run-off from expanding urban and
agricultural areas and airborne pollutants have
been degrading the surface water. As such,
knowledge of the interaction of the water body
with its watershed is essential in determining
which of these factors has the maximum infl uence on the quality of the water bodies with
regard to physical, chemical and biological
characteristics.
Limnology is one of such key disciplines
which plays an important role in understanding
the various kinds of interactions in aquatic domain.
1
Introduction
D. Kar, Wetlands and Lakes of the World,
DOI 10.1007/978-81-322-1023-8_1, © Springer India 2013
1.1
Basic Concepts of Limnology
‘Limnology’, basically, is the study of different
aspects of water which indeed is part of the broad
domain of ecology and environment. As such, the
concept of limnology would be instilled into the
young mind through a series of steps.
1.2
Ecology and Environment
An organism is best adapted to its favourable environment. Understanding of aquatic life requires
knowledge of the external infl uences which
directly or indirectly affect the organisms. Hence,
that subdivision of biology which has, as its
special discourse, the study of interrelationships
between the organisms and their environment is
called ‘ecology’, which continues unabatedly to
enjoy universal adoption of accepted designation
(Welch, 1935 ). Although the terms hexiology, natural history, etc. are sometimes considered synonymous to ecology, Shelford ( 1929 ) considered
‘ecology’ as the science of communities having, as
its central principle, the interrelationships which
exist between organisms and their environment.
Concomitant to above, the term ‘environment’
denotes ‘space’ on, below or above the surface of
the earth. These are classifi ed as (a) lithosphere
(the land mass) and (b) the hydrosphere (the water
mass), both standing and running, as well as, the
subterranean waters. Upon the latter is based the
discipline called ‘hydrography’, which, in turn,
includes ‘oceanography’ (concerned with salt
water) and ‘limnology’ (deals with freshwater).
Although there are many important differences between salt and freshwaters in addition to
mere extent and mass, oceanography and limnology have many things in common; and advances
in either fi eld often fi gure prominently in the
progress of the other.
1.3
Limnology
From the dawn of human civilisation, its establishment and development have generally been
in close proximity to water, namely, the lakes/
wetlands and the rivers. In addition to using
freshwater for drinking, agriculture and navigation, man has been using freshwater for
various other purposes like energy production,
industrial growth and waste and effl uent disposal. Further, certain other factors like contaminated run-off from expanding urban and
agricultural areas and airborne pollutants have
been degrading the surface water. As such,
knowledge of the interaction of the water body
with its watershed is essential in determining
which of these factors has the maximum infl uence on the quality of the water bodies with
regard to physical, chemical and biological
characteristics.
Limnology is one of such key disciplines
which plays an important role in understanding
the various kinds of interactions in aquatic domain.
1
Introduction