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Ecophysiological problems of the brackish water

Ecophysiological problems of the brackish water BENT MUUS (Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen, Denmark) Very few, if any, of the physical and biological processes taking place s brackish water are distinctive exclusively of this environment Identical processes can be found in marine or freshwater habitats. What makes brackish water attractive to biologists is more a matter of scales and standards: brackish water is an environment of exaggerations and simplifications. To the exaggerations belongs the fact that all conceivable environmental parameters generally considered to influence the life of animals and plants occur in a web of steep gradients. At the same time the composition of the ecosystems is much simplified pri- merily due to the reduced n~mher of species and the short pathways of energy flow. Exaggerations and simplifications are important means used in er perimental biology. Thus in brackish water nature generously demon- strates numerous large scale in situ experiments inviting closer analy- sis. Most estuaries are easily accessible and as the animals are general- ly hardy there are the best of chances for a very profitable interplay of experimental laboratory work and studies in the field. In recent years brackish water research has been backed through the growing understanding in the community of the http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Aquatic Ecology Springer Journals

Ecophysiological problems of the brackish water

Aquatic Ecology , Volume 8 (2) – Nov 3, 2005

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References (65)

Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright
Subject
Life Sciences; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; Ecosystems
ISSN
1386-2588
eISSN
1573-5125
DOI
10.1007/BF02254908
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

BENT MUUS (Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen, Denmark) Very few, if any, of the physical and biological processes taking place s brackish water are distinctive exclusively of this environment Identical processes can be found in marine or freshwater habitats. What makes brackish water attractive to biologists is more a matter of scales and standards: brackish water is an environment of exaggerations and simplifications. To the exaggerations belongs the fact that all conceivable environmental parameters generally considered to influence the life of animals and plants occur in a web of steep gradients. At the same time the composition of the ecosystems is much simplified pri- merily due to the reduced n~mher of species and the short pathways of energy flow. Exaggerations and simplifications are important means used in er perimental biology. Thus in brackish water nature generously demon- strates numerous large scale in situ experiments inviting closer analy- sis. Most estuaries are easily accessible and as the animals are general- ly hardy there are the best of chances for a very profitable interplay of experimental laboratory work and studies in the field. In recent years brackish water research has been backed through the growing understanding in the community of the

Journal

Aquatic EcologySpringer Journals

Published: Nov 3, 2005

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