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Schiemer et al.: Aquatic Ecosystems and Development


Comparative Asian Perspectives

The volume provides a comprehensive overview of the principal research findings and policy conclusions, structured broadly in line with our objectives and the implications of our interdisciplinary and comparative methodology. The  22 chapters following  the Introduction  are divided into six sections, on the basis of coherence and progressively increasing degrees of interdisciplinary integration and comparative analysis. The Section A (Chapters 1-4) provides general description of physical, hydrological and catchment characteristics of the water bodies in the three countries as the f basis  for the more detailed analysis that follows. The key conditions for understanding the limnological processes are set by the overall catchment characteristics, its human utilisation and the seasonality of the monsoonal climate. Section B (Chapters 5-9) examines comparative aspects of the aquatic ecosystems, focusing successively on phytoplankton; the regulation of phytoplankton primary production; microbial aspects of carbon dynamics and the detrital food chain; the effects of seasonality on zooplankton populations and status; and the biomass, production  and productivity of copepods and cladocerans. 

In Section C (Chapters 10-14) the focus shifts to fish ecology. The important themes covered include  the innovative use of hydroacoustics for assessing fish stocks; feeding ecology of fish assemblages; ecomorphological aspects of diet; selective feeding of small zooplanktivorous pelagic fish species; and a modelling approach to daily feeding patterns and food consumption in certain fish populations. Section D (Chapters 15-18) addresses fisheries and aquaculture, analysing capture fisheries; population dynamics of non-exploited and under-exploited fish species; population dynamics of commercially important species; and the status and significance of aquaculture. Chapter 18 also examines the socio-economics of aquaculture, thereby providing a useful bridge to Section E (Chapters 19-20) on socio-economics, which comprises detailed surveys of the social economy of fish and fishing in littoral communities, and of fish trading and marketing. 

Finally, Section F (Chapters 21-23) attempts to draws together the principal findings and conclusions from each disciplinary area and part of the investigation. This part   offers a holistic analysis as the basis for more appropriate policy and management guidelines for the promotion of sustainable resource utilisation. Moreover, Chapter 23 assesses the overall contribution of the study,  summarises  and explains the principal findings and conclusions, and finally explores the implications for sustainable resource utilisation and management. 

Edited by Fritz Schiemer, David Simon, Upali S. Amarasinghe & Jaques Moreau. 
2008; XII + 512pp.; numerous figures and tables, hardbound.

181.90 EUR
Artikelnr.: 978-3-8236-1530-9
  • (price without VAT: 170.00 EUR)
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