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Full Description
An exciting foray into Earth's inland waters, the remarkable species they contain, and the conservation challenges of protecting them.
When we call Earth "the blue planet" we immediately envision the vast oceans that cover most of its surface. But seas aren't the only bodies of water that make Earth special. Millions of diverse inland waters rush, meander, and seep throughout the planet, teeming with life. These streams, lakes, wetlands, and groundwaters are home to thousands of species, many of which are extraordinary and some of which are critically endangered.
In Beyond the Sea, ecologist David Strayer introduces readers to the world's most remarkable and varied inland waters, including massive lakes that fill only once a century, groundwaters miles beneath our feet that host unique microbes, volcanic lakes more corrosive than battery acid, and catastrophic floods that carry ten times more water than the Amazon River. Strayer also shares stories of the myriad fascinating species supported by these crucial ecosystems, featuring mussels that seduce fish, tiny tardigrades that cheat death, animals that photosynthesize, and plants that eat meat.
Because humans have used—and abused—inland waters so intensively for everything from drinking water and fly-fishing to sewage disposal, many species around the world that depend on them are in desperate peril. Strayer explains the damage that humans have caused and offers solutions to sustain and restore inland-water ecosystems. Proving that the sea isn't the only aqueous realm of mystery and wonder, this book illuminates the secrets, science, and amazing denizens of the overlooked waters in our backyards.
Contents
Preface
Chapter 1. Theme and Variations: The Rest of the Blue Planet
Chapter 2. Inland Waters: Types, Sizes, and Shapes
Chapter 3. Origins: How Inland Waters Are Made
Chapter 4. Age: Lifespans of Inland Waters
Chapter 5. Disruption: Stability and Disturbance in Inland Waters
Chapter 6. Materials: The Chemical Diversity of Inland Waters
Chapter 7. Isolation: All Inland Waters Are Islands
Chapter 8. Life: Inland-Water Biodiversity
Chapter 9. Challenges 1: How Do You Keep from Getting Washed to the Sea?
Chapter 10. Challenges 2: What Do You Do When the Water Dries Up?
Chapter 11. Challenges 3: How Do You Find Some Lunch?
Chapter 12. Challenges 4: And Then There's Sex
Chapter 13. Peril: Human Impacts on Inland Waters and Their Biodiversity
Chapter 14. Solutions: Protecting and Restoring Inland-Water Ecosystems
Chapter 15. Back to the Theme: Closing Remarks
Notes
Index
