Ebook: Ecology of a Glacial Flood Plain

This book is a monograph reporting the major findings from a comprehensive study of a glacial flood plain in the Swiss Alps, based on an intensive research program conducted year-round over several years. Until recently, very little was known regarding the ecology of glacial streams. Previous studies typically focused on one or a few aspects and were limited to the summer period. Moreover, this is the first ecological study of a glacial flood plain with a dynamic, multi-thread channel network. Year-round sampling of a system with a complex channel network spawned unanticipated results and new insights into the ecology of glacial streams. The book begins with the landscape features, glacial history, and floodplain evolution of the Val Roseg. This is followed by chapters on channel typology, groundwater-surfacewater interactions, thermal heterogeneity, and nutrient dynamics. Chapters on the biota deal with terrestrial and aquatic flora, hyphomycete fungi, surface zoobenthos, and the interstitial fauna. Functional processes are addressed in chapters on organic matter dynamics, litter decomposition, nutrient limitation, and drift and colonization patterns. The final chapter provides a synthesis of our current understanding of the ecology of Val Roseg. Weare indebted to many individuals and organizations for assistance and support of the research program on the Val Roseg and the production of this book.

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The book comprehensively evaluates the characteristics and floodplain evolution of Val Roseg on an annual basis for several years. Channel typology, groundwater-surface water hydrology, thermal and chemical regimes are examined. Biotic dynamics of vegetation, aquatic flora, fungi, and surface and interstitial fauna are evaluated in detail. Analyses are presented of the spatial and seasonal dynamics of the functional processes of organic matter, litter decomposition, nutrient limitations, and drift and colonization. Emerging from these analyses is an important synthesis of these dynamic and rapidly changing river ecosystems.

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The book comprehensively evaluates the characteristics and floodplain evolution of Val Roseg on an annual basis for several years. Channel typology, groundwater-surface water hydrology, thermal and chemical regimes are examined. Biotic dynamics of vegetation, aquatic flora, fungi, and surface and interstitial fauna are evaluated in detail. Analyses are presented of the spatial and seasonal dynamics of the functional processes of organic matter, litter decomposition, nutrient limitations, and drift and colonization. Emerging from these analyses is an important synthesis of these dynamic and rapidly changing river ecosystems.

Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xvii
Val Roseg: A High Alpine Catchment....Pages 1-16
Glacial History and Floodplain Evolution....Pages 17-36
Groundwater-Surface Water Interactions....Pages 37-56
Channel Typology....Pages 57-73
Thermal Heterogeneity....Pages 75-90
Nutrient Dynamics....Pages 91-107
Terrestrial Floodplain Vegetation....Pages 109-121
Aquatic Hyphomycetes in Alpine Streams....Pages 123-137
Aquatic Flora....Pages 139-151
Surface Zoobenthos....Pages 153-174
Interstitial Fauna....Pages 175-198
Organic Matter Dynamics....Pages 199-215
Litter Decomposition....Pages 217-230
Nutrient Limitation....Pages 231-241
Drift and Colonization Dynamics....Pages 243-257
Synthesis and Perspectives....Pages 259-271
Back Matter....Pages 273-306

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The book comprehensively evaluates the characteristics and floodplain evolution of Val Roseg on an annual basis for several years. Channel typology, groundwater-surface water hydrology, thermal and chemical regimes are examined. Biotic dynamics of vegetation, aquatic flora, fungi, and surface and interstitial fauna are evaluated in detail. Analyses are presented of the spatial and seasonal dynamics of the functional processes of organic matter, litter decomposition, nutrient limitations, and drift and colonization. Emerging from these analyses is an important synthesis of these dynamic and rapidly changing river ecosystems.

Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-xvii
Val Roseg: A High Alpine Catchment....Pages 1-16
Glacial History and Floodplain Evolution....Pages 17-36
Groundwater-Surface Water Interactions....Pages 37-56
Channel Typology....Pages 57-73
Thermal Heterogeneity....Pages 75-90
Nutrient Dynamics....Pages 91-107
Terrestrial Floodplain Vegetation....Pages 109-121
Aquatic Hyphomycetes in Alpine Streams....Pages 123-137
Aquatic Flora....Pages 139-151
Surface Zoobenthos....Pages 153-174
Interstitial Fauna....Pages 175-198
Organic Matter Dynamics....Pages 199-215
Litter Decomposition....Pages 217-230
Nutrient Limitation....Pages 231-241
Drift and Colonization Dynamics....Pages 243-257
Synthesis and Perspectives....Pages 259-271
Back Matter....Pages 273-306
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