Suchergebnisse

Floodplains are ecosystems which are driven by periodic inundation and oscillation between terrestrial and aquatic phases. An understanding of such pulsing systems is only possible by studying both phases and linking the results into an integrated overview. This book presents the results of a 15-year study of the structure and function of one of the largest tropical floodplains, the Amazon River floodplain. It covers in 23 chapters hydrology, hydrochemistry, climatology, soil science, and the ecology of various groups of aquatic and terrestrial plants and animals. In the botanical section, emphasis is given to aquatic algae (phytoplankton and periphyton), aquatic macrophytes, terrestrial herbaceous plants and the floodplain forest. The zoological section covers common terrestrial invertebrates (i.e. spiders, collemboles, termites, oribatid mites, tiger beetles, millipedes), aquatic invertebrates (zooplankton, perizoon, benthos), fishes, birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Data are presented on the biomass of plants and animals, on primary production and decomposition of algae, herbaceous plants and trees of the floodplain forest. The amounts of bioelements stored in different compartments of the system during the aquatic and the terrestrial phases are quantified and fluxes between the phases are described. The authors interpret their findings and the most important data from other studies under an integrating scientific concept, the Flood Pulse Concept

Central Amazonian floodplain forests are an unique and endangered ecosystem. The forests grow in areas that are annually flooded by large rivers during mean periods of up to 8 months and at depths of up to 10 m. Despite this severe stress, these forests consist of over 1,000 species and are by far the most species-rich floodplain forests worldwide. The trees show a broad range of morphological, anatomical, physiological, and phenological adaptations that enable them not only to survive the adverse environmental conditions, but also to produce large amounts of biomass when the nutrient levels in water and soils are sufficiently high. This is the case in the floodplains of white-water rivers, which are used for fisheries, agriculture, and cattle-ranching but which also have a high potential for the production of timber and non-timber products, when adequately managed. Latest research on ecophysiology gives insight how tree species adapt to the oscillating flood-pulse focusing on their photosynthesis, respiration, sap flow, biochemistry, phenology, wood and leave anatomy, root morphology and functioning, fruit chemistry, seed germination, seedling establishment, nitrogen fixation and genetic variability. Based on tree ages, lifetime growth rates and net primary production, new concepts are developed to improve the sustainability of traditional forest managements in the background of an integrated natural resource management. This is the first integrative book on the functioning and ecologically oriented use of floodplain forests in the tropics and sub-tropics.It provides fundamental knowledge for scientist, students, foresters and other professionals on their distribution, evolution and phytogeography. 'This book is an excellent testimony to the interdisciplinary collaboration of a group of very dedicated scientists to unravel the functioning of the Amazonian Floodplain forests. They have brought together a highly valuable contribution on the distribution, ecology, primary production, ecophysiology, typology, biodiversity, and human use of these forests offering recommendations for sustainable management and future projects in science and development of these unique wetland ecosystems. It lays a solid scientific foundation for wetland ecologists, foresters, environmentalists, wetland managers, and all those interested in sustainable management in the tropics and subtropics.' Brij Gopal, Executive Vice President International Society for Limnology (SIL).

Florian Wittmann,1 Ethan Householder,2,3 Astrid de Oliveira Wittmann,4 Aline Lopes,2 Wolfgang J Junk,5 Maria TF Piedade2 1Biogeochemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany; 2MAUA Working Group, National Institute for Amazon Research – INPA, Manaus, Brazil; 3Botanical Research Institute of Texas, Fort Worth, TX, USA; 4Institute for Biological Sciences, Federal University of Amazonas – UFAM, Manaus, 5National Wetland Institute – INAU, Cuiaba, Brazil Abstract: This review presents the current knowledge regarding South American wetlands and summarizes major outcomes of the implementation of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance for the South American continent. South America is the wettest continent on Earth, with wetlands accounting for ~20% of its area. Wetlands harbor an exceptional rich biodiversity also including many endemic plant and animal species. They provide numerous ecosystem services in terms of provisioning material goods, regulating biogeochemical cycles, providing habitat, sustaining cultural practices, and importantly, contributing to the maintenance and generation of regional biodiversity. Major threats to wetlands include agroindustrial expansion, deforestation, soil erosion, mining, pollution, inadequate resource use, and large infrastructural projects such as reservoir construction for hydropower. South American countries were slow in adopting definitions, delineations, and classifications of their wetlands and in inventorying wetlands according to their extent and ecological characteristics. However, Ramsar sites are increasing continuously in both numbers and extent, covering 113 sites, totaling an area of ~373,000 km2. Threats to wetlands and Ramsar sites are ongoing, mainly because of the lack of specific national wetland policies, limited financial and human resources, general lack of infrastructure, and limited monitoring capacity. The process of changing perceptions on the value of wetlands and their ecosystem services is improving, but it could be hastened by improved infrastructure and cooperation between Ramsar sites, wetland scientists, and local stakeholders. Outreach to raise awareness of societies, administrators, and governments of the critical importance of wetlands continues to be a major challenge for the conservation of South American wetlands. Keywords: hydropower, Ramsar sites, wetland classification, wetland inventories, conservation