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Numerous concepts are applied to everyday experiences that we have in our homes, at the cottages, while fishing, canoeing, or swimming Applied Aquatic Ecosystem Concepts by Gerald L. Mackie, provides explanations for observations that we often take for granted; why water and skies are blue, why snow flakes are six-sides, why pipes burst in the winter and why objects in water are bent from our angle or view. Applied Aquatic Ecosystem Concepts is a single source for information on freshwater concepts, the application of these concepts, and their integration and use for assessing impacts of different kinds of pollution. Applied Aquatic Ecosystem Concepts not only applies physical, chemical and biological concepts of rivers and lakes and specialized aquatic habitats, but also describes pollution, how to assess toxicity of pollutants, water quality, environmental impacts, conservation status of species at risk and how to control exotic species.
This is a fantastic book that comprehensively gives a good introduction to a plethora of aquatic ecological concepts. I was amazed at the balance between the general application of ecological principles and the degree of detail used to do so. Without overkill, the author provides adequate detail for each section, effectively using figures and tables in a manner that conveys the important components being outlined. Each chapter begins with a very useful set of points that are highlighted and discussed, and then each point is marked within the chapter. Further, the concepts are described without too many scientific references, which can be distracting in educational texts. The glossary, species lists and index are adequate and useful for general reference. This would be an especially good text for teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels in aquatic ecology or aquatic environmental biology. Lessons and labs could be easily developed around this text. Mackie has done a superb job at integrating a multitude of aquatic ecology principles within an applied context, which I feel will be useful to many educators and professionals.
Richard W. Merritt, Professor Departments of Entomology and Fisheries and Wildlife Michigan State University East Lansing,
MI 48824
