The Middle Paraná River

Limnology of a Subtropical Wetland
1. Auflage 2007
ISBN: 978-3-540-70624-3
Verlag: Springer-Verlag
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 382 Seiten

The Middle Paraná river is one of the largest in the world. Exceptionally rich in fauna and flora, it provides researchers with a glimpse into an ecosystem yet undisturbed by human civilization. This fascinating book covers all the key aspects of the Paraná's fluvial limnology and ecology, arranged in discrete and easily navigable sections. First, the physical and chemical environment is explained, then the river's plant life, followed by its invertebrate life, and finally the vertebrates that inhabit the river.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1;Contents;4
2;List of Contributors;8
3;Introduction;12
4;Part I The Physical and Chemical Environment;16
4.1;1 Physical Geography of the Basin;17
4.1.1;1.1 Introduction;17
4.1.2;1.2 Geology;17
4.1.3;1.3 Climate;19
4.1.4;1.4 Hydrography;22
4.1.5;References;41
4.2;2 Geomorphology;42
4.2.1;2.1 The Surrounding Regions;42
4.2.2;2.2 Neotectonics;47
4.2.3;2.3 Climate;48
4.2.4;2.4 Climatic Changes in the Quaternary;48
4.2.5;2.5 The Sediments;49
4.2.6;2.6 Geomorphology;49
4.2.7;References;60
4.3;3 Origin, Evolution, and Types of Floodplain Water Bodies;62
4.3.1;3.1 Introduction;62
4.3.2;3.2 The Middle Paraná Floodplain;62
4.3.3;3.3 Origin and Shape of Lentic Water Bodies;73
4.3.4;3.4 Lake Morphometry;77
4.3.5;3.5 Lake Evolution;84
4.3.6;3.6 Aquatic and Riparian Vegetation as a Morphological Factor;85
4.3.7;3.7 Concluding Remarks;86
4.3.8;References;89
4.4;4 The Physical Dynamics of the River–Lake Floodplain System;91
4.4.1;4.1 Introduction;91
4.4.2;4.2 Water Regime of the Floodplain Lakes;91
4.4.3;4.3 Suspended Sediments;103
4.4.4;4.4 Bottom Sediment Resuspension, Mixing Depth, and Sedimentation Rate;108
4.4.5;4.5 Water Temperature;110
4.4.6;4.6 Lake Heat Content;120
4.4.7;4.7 Work of the Wind and Stability of Stratification;122
4.4.8;4.8 Conclusions;124
4.4.9;References;127
4.5;5 Fluvial Sediments: Main Channel and Floodplain Interrelationships;131
4.5.1;5.1 Introduction;131
4.5.2;5.2 Basic Concepts;132
4.5.3;5.3 The Main Channel;132
4.5.4;5.4 Sediment Transport and Processes in the Alluvial Plain;142
4.5.5;5.5 Conclusions;148
4.5.6;References;149
4.6;6 The Geochemistry of the Paraná River: An Overview;151
4.6.1;6.1 Introduction;151
4.6.2;6.2 Geological and Hydrological Framework;152
4.6.3;6.3 The Chemistry of Dissolved Components;156
4.6.4;6.4 The Signature of Weathering in the Drainage Basin;161
4.6.5;6.5 The Provenance of Sediments;167
4.6.6;6.6 Main Biogeochemical Characteristics;173
4.6.7;6.7 Conclusions;178
4.6.8;References;179
5;Part II Plant Life;183
5.1;7 Phytoplankton;184
5.1.1;7.1 Introduction;184
5.1.2;7.2 Phytoplankton Distribution Along the Main River and at Cross Channel;185
5.1.3;7.3 Temporary Variations during Normal Hydrological Cycles and Extraordinary Periods in the Main Channel;189
5.1.4;7.4 Temporary Changes in Side Channels of Different Size and Connectivity Degree;191
5.1.5;7.5 Temporary Variations in Floodplain Lakes with Different Water Residence Time and Vegetation;196
5.1.6;7.6 Conclusions;207
5.1.7;References;209
5.2;8 Aquatic Macrophytes;211
5.2.1;8.1 Introduction;211
5.2.2;8.2 Plant Communities and Succession;213
5.2.3;8.3 Habitat Characteristics and Ecological Factors;218
5.2.4;8.4 Plant Dynamics and Growth;224
5.2.5;8.5 Biomass and Productivity;225
5.2.6;8.6 Use of Resources;228
5.2.7;8.7 Conclusions;229
5.2.8;References;230
6;Part III Invertebrate Animal Life;233
6.1;9 Zooplankton;234
6.1.1;9.1 Introduction;234
6.1.2;9.2 Zooplankton of Rivers and Floodplain Shallow Lakes: Similarities and Differences;235
6.1.3;9.3 Factors Regulating Zooplankton Abundance and Seasonal Distribution in Floodplain Lakes;238
6.1.4;9.4 Flood Pulse, Physical Variables and Potamozooplankton Dynamics;241
6.1.5;9.5 Zooplankton of the Main Channel and the Contribution of High Reaches and the Floodplain;245
6.1.6;9. 6 Connectivity and Species Richness;247
6.1.7;9.7 Conclusions;249
6.1.8;References;250
6.2;10 Benthic Invertebrates;255
6.2.1;10.1 Introduction;255
6.2.2;10.2 Spatiotemporal Longitudinal Patterns;257
6.2.3;10.3 Spatiotemporal Lateral and Vertical Patterns;264
6.2.4;10.4 Temporary Marginal Wetlands;265
6.2.5;10.5 Floodplain Lakes;266
6.2.6;10.6 Vertical Dimension;268
6.2.7;10.7 Factors Influencing the Benthic Structure;269
6.2.8;10.8 Functional Feeding Groups and Food Webs;270
6.2.9;10.9 Bivalvia Invasive Species in Benthic Communities;272
6.2.10;10.10 Conclusions;273
6.2.11;References;275
6.3;11 Littoral Communities. Macrocrustaceans;280
6.3.1;11.1 Introduction;280
6.3.2;11.2 Biological Features;282
6.3.3;11.3 Intra–Interspecific Population Interaction;285
6.3.4;11.4 Trophic Relationships of Freshwater Decapods;289
6.3.5;11.5 Reproduction in Freshwater Decapods;294
6.3.6;11.6 Abiotic Factors Influence in Decapods;297
6.3.7;11.7 Conclusions;298
6.3.8;References;299
7;Part IV Vertebrate Animal Life;305
7.1;12 Fishes;306
7.1.1;12.1 Introduction;306
7.1.2;12.2 Richness, Distribution and Abundance of Species;306
7.1.3;12.3 Migratory Displacements;311
7.1.4;12.4 Reproductive Strategies and Life Histories;313
7.1.5;12.5 Feeding Habits;315
7.1.6;12.6 Respiratory Metabolism;319
7.1.7;12.7 Conclusions;322
7.1.8;References;322
7.2;13 Amphibians;327
7.2.1;13.1 Introduction;327
7.2.2;13.2 Amphibian Diversity and Natural History;328
7.2.3;13.3 Characterization of the Main Habitats that Provide Reproduction Sites or Refuges/ Food;329
7.2.4;13.4 Final Remarks;338
7.2.5;References;338
7.3;14 Reptiles;341
7.3.1;14.1 Introduction;341
7.3.2;14.2 Species Richness and Ecological Traits;342
7.3.3;14.3 The Paraná River Floodplain as Biogeographical Corridor of Tropical Species;350
7.3.4;14.4 Influence of Flood Pulses and other Environmental Factors on the Reptile Community;351
7.3.5;14.5 Discussion and Conclusions;357
7.3.6;References;360
7.4;15 Birds;363
7.4.1;15.1 Introduction;363
7.4.2;15.2 Trophic Groups;364
7.4.3;15.3 Seasonal Dynamics;368
7.4.4;15.4 Reproductive Biology;370
7.4.5;References;375
8;Subject Index;378