Tropical Stream Ecology
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Table of contents
- Table of Contentsvii
- Contributorsxiii
- Prefacexv
- Chapter 1 Physical and Chemical Features of Tropical Flowing Waters1
- I. Introduction2
- II. Climatic Organizing Principles2
- A. Hadley Circulation2
- B. The Intertropical Convergence Zone3
- C. Solar Irradiance3
- D. Monsoons4
- E. El Niño Southern Oscillation4
- F. Spatially Irregular Phenomena6
- III. Temperature6
- A. Air Temperature6
- B. Effects of Elevation on Air and Water Temperature6
- C. Overview of Range in Water Temperature8
- D. Effects of Temperature on Metabolism and Oxygen Saturation9
- IV. Precipitation10
- V. Runoff10
- VI. Suspended and Dissolved Solids13
- VII. Phosphorus, Nitrogen, and Carbon17
- A. Phosphorus17
- B. Nitrogen18
- C. Organic Carbon19
- VIII. Conclusions20
- References20
- Chapter 2 Primary Production in Tropical Streams and Rivers23
- I. Introduction24
- II. Small Streams25
- A. Primary Producers25
- B. Factors Controlling Productivity in Small Streams26
- III. Rivers32
- A. Primary Producers: Macrophytes and Phytoplankton32
- B. Factors Controlling Productivity in Tropical Rivers33
- IV. Floodplains and Wetlands33
- A. Primary Producers Associated with Floodplains and Wetlands33
- B. Factors Controlling Productivity of Floodplains and Wetlands34
- V. Mangroves35
- A. Primary Producers35
- B. Factors Controlling Mangrove Production35
- VI. Ecosystem Comparisons36
- VII. Threats37
- References37
- Chapter 3 Organic Matter Processing in Tropical Streams43
- I. Introduction44
- II. Organic Matter Dynamics44
- A. Diversity of Particulate Organic Material44
- B. Timing of Litter Inputs46
- C. Accession Pathways49
- D. Decomposition and Storage of Organic Matter in Riparian Zones49
- E. In-stream Decomposition Processes50
- F. Abiotic Factors Affecting In-stream Decomposition51
- III. The Significance of Physical and Chemical Composition of Leaves54
- IV. Microbial Contributions to Organic Matter Processing55
- V. The Role of Shredders in Organic Matter Processing56
- VI. Methodological Constraints on Decomposition Studies57
- VII. Autochthonous Plant Litter58
- VIII. Conclusions58
- References60
- Chapter 4 Macroinvertebrates: Composition, Life Histories and Production65
- I. Introduction66
- A. The Taxonomic Impediment66
- B. Challenges and Potential Solutions67
- C. Chapter Objectives68
- II. Composition of the Fauna68
- A. General Characteristics68
- B. Composition of the Non-Insect Fauna68
- C. Composition of the Insect Fauna72
- D. Diversity of Tropical Stream Faunas75
- E. Latitudinal Patterns in Diversity77
- III. Life Histories and Secondary Production80
- A. Seasonality80
- B. Life Spans and Voltinism82
- C. Breeding by Other Macroinvertebrates83
- D. Secondary Production85
- E. Trophic Basis of Macroinvertebrate Production90
- IV. Bioassessment and Biomonitoring91
- V. Research Needs94
- References96
- Chapter 5 Fish Ecology in Tropical Streams107
- I. Introduction107
- II. Stream Habitats and Fish Faunas in the Tropics109
- A. Landmasses and Watersheds109
- B. Continental Basins109
- C. Latitudinal Gradients114
- D. Elevation Gradients115
- E. Stream Size and Habitat Gradients118
- III. Reproductive Strategies and Population Dynamics124
- IV. Feeding Strategies and Food-Web Structure129
- V. Conservation of Fish Biodiversity136
- A. Drainage-basin Degradation and Land-use Change136
- B. Pollution137
- C. Dams and Impoundments137
- D. Overfishing138
- E. Exotic Species138
- VI. Management to Alleviate Human Impacts and Restore Degraded Streams139
- VII. Research Needs139
- References140
- Chapter 6 Aquatic, Semi-Aquatic and Riparian Vertebrates147
- I. Introduction147
- A. The Distribution of Tropical Vertebrate Assemblages148
- B. Rivers as Barriers, Filters and Biocorridors150
- II. Aquatic Mammals152
- A. Cetaceans152
- B. Sirenians153
- III. Reptiles154
- A. Crocodilians154
- B. Lizards159
- C. Snakes159
- D. Turtles163
- IV. Amphibians166
- V. Semi-Aquatic Mammals168
- A. Otters168
- B. Mongooses and Civets171
- C. Otter Shrews171
- D. Hippos172
- VI. Riparian Mammals174
- A. Felids174
- B. Racoons and Marsupials174
- C. Rodents175
- D. Ungulates177
- E. Primates181
- F. Shrews and Bats182
- VII. Ecological Roles of Vertebrates in Tropical Streams184
- A. Trophic Interactions and Nutrient Cycling184
- B. Riparian Landscape Engineering185
- VIII. Final Remarks187
- Acknowledgements188
- References188
- Chapter 7 Riparian Wetlands of Tropical Streams199
- I. Introduction199
- II. Types of Riparian Wetlands201
- A. Hygropetric Zones202
- B. Rock Pools202
- C. Para- and Orthofluvial Ponds202
- D. Anabranches and Floodplain Channels203
- E. Moist Zones on the Riparian Floodplain203
- F. Unforested Streamside Swamps204
- G. Forested Streamside Swamps204
- H. Peatswamp Forests205
- III. Hydrology206
- IV. Biodiversity208
- V. Aquatic-Terrestrial Linkages209
- VI. Human Impacts, Conservation, and Sustainable Management211
- VII. Conclusions and Prospects212
- References213
- Chapter 8 Tropical High-Altitude Streams219
- I. Introduction219
- A. Tropical High-Altitude Regions221
- B. Tropical High-Altitude Environments221
- II. Stream Physical and Chemical Characteristics224
- A. Temperature and Oxygen224
- B. Channels and Flow225
- C. Suspended Solids229
- D. Water Chemistry232
- III. Primary Production and Detritus232
- A. Benthic Algae232
- B. Macrophytes234
- C. Detritus236
- IV. The Fauna237
- A. The Fish Fauna237
- B. Macroinvertebrate Richness at High Altitudes239
- C. Composition of the Macroinvertebrate Fauna242
- D. Spatial Variability of Macroinvertebrate Assemblages245
- E. Functional Organization of the Macroinvertebrate Fauna247
- F. Life Histories, Temporal Variability, and Drift of Macroinvertebrates247
- G. Faunal Adaptations to High-Altitude Streams250
- V. Organic Pollution and Other Environmental Impacts251
- VI. Future Research Directions251
- References253
- Chapter 9 Are Tropical Streams Ecologically Different from Temperate Streams?257
- I. Introduction257
- II. Tropical Settings: Interactions Between Climate and Landscape Evolution259
- A. Geological History and Geomorphology259
- B. Climate and Hydrology260
- III. Biodiversity and Endemism262
- A. Different Scales of Biodiversity262
- B. Latitudinal Gradients in Local Diversity in Streams263
- C. Latitudinal Gradients in Regional Diversity in Streams267
- D. Endemism in Tropical and Temperate Streams269
- IV. Food-Web Organization270
- A. Trophic Structure and Taxonomic Representation270
- B. Food-Web Compartmentalization in Tropical and Temperate Streams271
- V. Productivity, Organic Matter Dynamics, and Other Ecosystem Processes272
- A. Productivity272
- B. Organic Matter Dynamics: Seasonal Inputs and Instream Litter Retention273
- C. Organic Matter Dynamics: Biologically Mediated Breakdown274
- D. Nutrient Cycling and Limitation276
- E. Responses to Natural Disturbances and Introduced Species276
- VI. Conclusions277
- Acknowledgments278
- References278
- Chapter 10 Tropical Stream Conservation285
- I. Introduction285
- II. What Drives Conservation Issues in Tropical Streams?286
- A. Socioeconomic Factors286
- B. Ecological Factors287
- III. Major Conservation Issues288
- A. Deforestation and Erosion288
- B. Agriculture290
- C. Urban and Industrial Development291
- D. Alteration of Hydrologic Connectivity292
- IV. Regional Conservation Issues293
- A. Latin America and the Caribbean Islands293
- B. Tropical Africa293
- C. Madagascar294
- D. Tropical Asia-Pacific294
- E. Tropical Australia294
- V. Case Studies294
- A. Erosion-Prone Soils in the Brazilian Cerrado294
- B. The Effects of Dams on Puerto Rican Streams295
- C. Forest Cover Increases in Puerto Rico296
- VI. Summary – What Might the Future Hold?298
- Acknowledgments300
- References300
- Index305
- Colour insert between pages 136 and 137317
This book describes the main features of tropical streams and their ecology. It covers the major physico-chemical features, important processes such as primary production and organic-matter transformation, as well as the main groups of consumers: invertebrates, fishes and other vertebrates. Information on concepts and paradigms developed in north-temperate latitudes and how they do not match the reality of ecosystems further south is expertly addressed. The pressing matter of conservation of tropical streams and their biodiversity is included in alomost every chapter, with a final chapter providing a synthesis on conservation issues. For the first time, Tropical Streams Ecology places an important emphasis on viewing research carried out in contributions from international literature.
* First synthetic account of the ecology of all types of tropical streams
* Covers all of the major tropical regions
* Detailed consideration of possible fundamental differences between tropical and temperate stream ecosystems
* Threats faced by tropical stream ecosystems and possible conservation actions
* Descriptions and synstheses life-histories and breeding patterns of major aquatic consumers (fishes, invertebrates)
* First synthetic account of the ecology of all types of tropical streams
* Covers all of the major tropical regions
* Detailed consideration of possible fundamental differences between tropical and temperate stream ecosystems
* Threats faced by tropical stream ecosystems and possible conservation actions
* Descriptions and synstheses life-histories and breeding patterns of major aquatic consumers (fishes, invertebrates)