Freshwater ecosystems are under increasing pressure as human populations grow and the need for clean water intensifies. This book presents an introduction to scientific methodology and its application to the study of ecology. It also reviews several key concepts in freshwater ecology using a wide range of scientific studies.

This book represents the only freshwater ecology textbook that is specifically aimed at an introductory level. It will also be a useful primer for students who have not previously taken a specialized freshwater course but who require an accessible overview of the subject.

KEY FEATURES INCLUDE:

• General reviews on the methods of science, influence of scale, and the main features of freshwater systems.
• Coverage of several fundamental and applied ecological questions.
• A logical structure in each chapter that builds from a general observation of an ecological pattern, to an exploration of the various scientific approaches that can be used to investigate such patterns.
• Suggested further reading lists for each chapter.