The Freshwater Ecosystems of Suriname

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-ix

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2. Introduction

   1. Introduction

      • Paul E. Ouboter

      Pages 1-6

3. Basic features

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 7-12

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   2. The geographical outline

      • Dirk Noordam

      Pages 13-28

   3. Climate and surface water hydrology

      • Moekiran A. Amatali

      Pages 29-51

   4. Limnology: physico-chemical parameters and phytoplankton composition

      • Asha Haripersad-Makhanlal, Paul E. Ouboter

      Pages 53-75

   5. Vegetation and vegetation succession of the freshwater wetlands

      • Pieter A. Teunissen

      Pages 77-98

   6. Aquatic macrophytes

      • Marga C. M. Werkhoven, Geert M. T. Peeters

      Pages 99-112

   7. Aquatic invertebrates of the Coastal Plain

      • Jan H. A. Mol

      Pages 113-131

   8. The fish fauna of Suriname

      • Paul E. Ouboter, Jan H. A. Mol

      Pages 133-154

4. Case studies

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 155-156

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   2. Dragonflies of a black-water creeksystem

      • Marcel Wasscher

      Pages 157-166

   3. Structure and function of floating bubble nests of three armoured catfishes (Callichthyidae) in relation to the aquatic environment

      • Jan H. A. Mol

      Pages 167-197

   4. The herpetofauna of floating meadows

      • Marinus S. Hoogmoed

      Pages 199-213

   5. The annual cycle of the spectacled caiman

      • Paul E. Ouboter, Geert M. T. Peeters

      Pages 215-222

5. The human impact

   1. Front Matter

      Pages 223-226

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   2. The man-made Lake Brokopondo

      • P. Leentvaar

      Pages 227-237

   3. Changes in a polluted swamp

      • Paul E. Ouboter, Bart P. E. De Dijn

      Pages 239-260

   4. Water and health

      • Baltus F. J. Oostburg

      Pages 261-273

   5. Conservation of freshwater ecosystems in Suriname

      • K. Mohadin

      Pages 275-284

Since the limnological research on the man-made Brokopondo Reservoir in the 'sixties, numerous data have been collected on the ecology of Surinam rivers and swamps. This book is a compilation of these data: it is the first comprehensive survey of the aquatic ecology of one of the peripheral areas of Amazonia. The geomorphology of the country, situated on the Guyana Shield, is the main factor determining the limnological properties of rivers and creeks. This results in an overall picture that is quite different from Amazonia. The emphasis of The Ecosystems of Suriname is on the living aquatic resources, including aquatic and swamp vegetation, phyto and zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. Although most of Suriname is still in a pristine state, the human impact on fresh waters is considerable in those areas of rapid economic development, emphasizing the necessity of conservation measures, specially tailored for aquatic ecosystems.
The Ecosystems of Suriname is a valuable acquisition for all scientists, environmental managers and others interested in tropical aquatic ecology.

• Fauna
• Fresh water
• Vegetation
• development
• ecology
• ecosystem
• environment
• morphology
• phytoplankton
• plankton
• wetland

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