This book is a general text covering both basic and applied aspects of freshwater ecology and serves as an introduction to the study of lakes and streams. It covers issues of spatial and temporal scale, anthropogenic impacts, and application of current ecological concepts along with ideas that are presented in more traditional limnological texts. The chapters on biodiversity, toxic chemicals, extreme and unusual habitats, and fisheries increase the breadth of material covered. The book includes an extensive glossary, questions for thought, worked examples of equations, and real-life problems. The key features are: broad coverage of groundwaters, streams, wetlands, and lakes; features basic scientific concepts and environmental applications throughout; includes many figures, sidebars of fascinating applications, and biographies of practicing aquatic ecologists; materials are presented to facilitate learning, including an extensive glossary, questions for thought, worked examples of equations, and real life problems; written at a level understandable to most undergraduate students, with explanations of complex contemporary concepts in freshwater ecology described to promote understanding. Featuring small chapters that mainly stand alone, this book can be read in the order most suited to the specific application.