Freshwater In Europe

Although few Europeans suffer the poor water quality and shortages experienced by people in many other parts of the world, water resources in Europe are unevenly distributed between and within countries. Climate change may also play a role, especially in coastal areas where flooding may disrupt sanitation infrastructure and thereby contaminate watercourses. This publication reviews the current state of freshwater resources in Europe and progress made towards the integrated management of water resources. It is produced in support of UNEP's reporting work and the International Year for Freshwater in 2003; and uses a range of data, graphics and maps to provide easily accessible information on this important topic. Sections deal with: freshwater resources and consumption; freshwater quality and ecosystems; major European watersheds; water policy, regulation and institutions.

Standard reference to the freshwater fishes of Europe covering 546 native and 33 introduced species. Includes diagnoses for all species with keys to genera and species, methods for identification, notes on habitat, biology, ecology, native, extirpated and introduced distributions, species conservation status (validated through IUCN procedures), uptodate taxonomy and nomenclature using modern methods and concepts. Included is a bibliography of more than 870 references.

Two events have recently improved the prospects of protecting fish and their environment in Switzerland: the acceptance of a new Federal Water Protection Law in the plebiscite of May 17th 1992, and the new Federal Legislation on Fisheries, in force since January 1st 1994. With this legal framework, the possibilities for protection of nature and landscape have now considerably improved in Switzerland. The most important aims of the Federal Law on Water Protection are to safeguard the natural habitats of the native flora and fauna and water as the habitat of aquatic organisms. This includes not only the preservation or restoration of water quality in lakes and rivers, but also, in rivers used for hydroelectricity, irrigation or as industrial or other water supplies, the maintenance of sufficient water to fulfill the minimal requirements for fish. However, good quality water in sufficient quan tities alone is not enough to guarantee the survival of fish. Intact fish habitats comprise various phYsical structures including plenty of hiding places, hunting grounds, reproduction and nursery areas within suitable distances from each other. This third aspect of conservation and restoration of aquatic habitats is a central point in the new Federal Law on Fisheries. Whereas the former versions of this law were more concerned with fishery regulations, the recent legislation defines new areas of responsibility for the federal and the cantonal governments.

This up-to-date guidebook on freshwater invertebrates of the central European region is a richly illustrated work, providing an excellent source of systematic information on freshwater macroinvertebrates. Numerous colour photos and additional vector graphic figures allow readers to identify specific species at a higher taxonomic level (family). The book is supplemented by video sequences. Freshwater Invertebrates in Central Europe – A Field Guide is a must-have for all those interested in the freshwater animals of central Europe such as animal scientists and ecologists, as well as students attending classes on freshwater invertebrate.​

This work provides a user-friendly, species level taxonomic key based on morphology, current nomenclature, and modern taxonomy using molecular tools which fulfill the most pressing needs of both researchers and environmental managers. This key arms the reader with the tools necessary to improve their species identification abilities. This book resolves another issue as well: the mix of female and male characters used in keys to the calanoid copepods. Often, during the identification process, both calanoid copepod sexes are not available, and the user of such a key is stuck with an uncertain identification. Here, separate male and female keys to the calanoid copepods are provided for both the genera and species levels.

This up-to-date guidebook on freshwater invertebrates of the central European region is a richly illustrated work, providing an excellent source of systematic information on freshwater macroinvertebrates. Numerous colour photos and additional vector graphic figures allow readers to identify specific species at a higher taxonomic level (family). The book is supplemented by electronic material including pictures and short video sequences. Freshwater Invertebrates in Central Europe – A Field Guide is a must-have for all those interested in the freshwater animals of central Europe such as animal scientists and ecologists, as well as students attending classes on freshwater invertebrate.​