Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants -- Textbooks

	Aquatic, Wetland and Invasive Plant Textbooks
University of Florida	Aquatic, Wetland and Invasive Plant Information Retrieval System

Bronmark, C., Hansson, L. 1998. The Biology of Lakes and Ponds. Oxford University Press, New York, NY. 216 pp.

This is an introductory text to aquatic ecology and limnology. Though the book is by two Swedish researchers, the focus is on "the general patterns in adaptations and processes among organisms of lakes and ponds", patterns which apply to lakes throughout the world. The authors especially seek to present "what we think is interesting and important to know for an aquatic ecologist at the begining of his or her career."

Brundu, G., J. Brock, I. Camarda, L. Child and M. Wade, eds. 2001. Plant Invasions -- Species Ecology and Ecosystem Management. Backhuys Publishers, Leiden, The Netherlands. WWW: http://www.backhuys.com 338 pp.

This book contains papers from the 5th International Conference on the Ecology of Invasive Alien Plants, 13-16 October 1999, held in Sardinia, Italy. While the book addresses general questions on invasive plants, the book's main value is its presentation of case studies on the ecology of individual species. Four categories of case studies include I: Species; II: Invasive plants in protected areas; III: Habitats, biotopes, regions; and IV: Invasive plant management.

More than 30 terrestrial and aquatic species are treated, including North American species which are invading South America, Central American species invading Europe, eastern Asian species invading western Asia, European species invading North America...

Caffrey, J., Barrett, P.R.F., Ferreira, M.T., et al. 1999. Biology, Ecology and Management of Aquatic Plants. Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston. 339 pp.

Actually the Proceedings of the 10th International Symposium on Aquatic Weeds, European Weed Research Society, and reprinted from Hydrobiologia Vol. 415 (1999), this is not technically a textbook. However, it is a compilation of papers by the world’s experts on aquatic plants. Sections include Biology and Distribution; Ecology; Invasive Aquatic and Riparian Plants; and Management.

Crawford, R.M.M., ed. 1987. Plant Life in Aquatic and Amphibious Habitats. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford. 452 pp.

The physiological ecology of amphibious and intertidal plants is treated in this special publication of the British Ecological Society. An impressive array of contributors.

Cronk, J.K., M.S. Fennessy. 2001. Wetland Plants: Biology and Ecology. 462 pp. CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL WWW:http://www.crcpress.com

This reference on the ecology of aquatic and wetlands plants is intended for wetland professionals, teachers and students. It might also serve as a text for upper-level college courses. Its various parts comprise a synthesis of the current knowledge on wetland plants and their communities. Part I includes an introduction to wetland plants; definitions and functions of the types of wetland plant communities including saline, brackish and freshwater systems; and an overview of physical aspects of wetland environments including hydrology and sediment conditions. Part II is about plant adaptations to wetland growth conditions including hypoxia, anoxia, salt concentrations, nutrient limitations, submergence and herbivory; reproduction mechanisms and seedling adaptations; and special structures for asexual reproduction. Part III explains primary productivity; discusses community dynamics elements such as succession, competition, allelo-pathy and disturbance; and presents case studies of several major invasive plants. Part IV describes wetland restoration and creation of artificial wetlands, with case studies; and explains how wetland plants may be used as indicators of wetland boundaries and ecological integrity.

Cronk, Q.C.B., J.L. Fuller. 200.1 Plant Invaders -- The Threat to Natural Ecosystems. 241 pp. Earthscan Publications Ltd, London WWW: http://www.earthscan.co.uk

The first three chapters of this small book provide cogent and succinct definitions and descriptions of plant invasions, how they occur, and what is done about them. Among other things, this "conservation manual" is intended to "provide information which will assist botanists and others to undertake practical conservation work." It also contains reviews of 17 invasive species around the world, including their description, distribution, invasiveness, and control and management.

Elton, C.S. 1958/2000. The Ecology of Invasions by Animals and Plants. University of Chicago Press. WWW: http://www.press.uchicago.edu 181 pp.

In 1958, when first published, this book was "the bible for practitioners of a burgeoning new science: invasion biology," according to Daniel Simberloff in his forward to this new reprint. Elton himself was interested in "faunal history...ecology...and conservation," and he was especially concerned with the "serious dislocations taking place in the world today [1957]," which were causing "ecological explosions."

Writing in layman's language, Elton describes the invasion and effects of organisms invading the U.S., such as the European starling, the chestnut blight, the muskrat, and plant invasions such as Spartina townsendii in England. Chapters dealing with invasions and changes in continents and islands are complemented by chapter essays about population balance, "new food chains," reasons for conservation, and biological variety.

Giller, P.S., Malmqvist. 1998. The Biology of Streams and Rivers. Oxford University Press, New York, NY. 296 pp.

This book, a comprehensive overview written as an undergraduate text, provides more than a glimpse of the life below the water surface of streams and rivers. It "delves into the rich and growing literature and provides an up-to-date introduction to stream and river biology." The authors describe the different kinds of watercourses; outline the range of living organisms of rivers, and their adapations; discuss population, community and ecosystem patterns and processes such as energy flow and secondary production; and discusses applied issues such as the effects of pollution, tourism, sport fishing and exotic species.

Hemminga, M.A., C.M. Duarte. 2000. Seagrass Ecology -- An Introduction. Cambridge University Press, New York. WWW: http://www.cup.org 298 pp.

"This book provides an entry point for those wishing to learn about the ecology of this fascinating group of plants, and gives a broad overview of the present state of knowledge, including recent progress in research and current research foci, complemented by extensive literature references to guide the reader to more detailed studies. As such it will be valuable to students of marine biology, and will be an excellent source of information to managers of coastal areas that harbour seagrasses."

Hogarth, P.J. 2000. The Biology of Mangroves. Oxford University Press, New York. WWW: http://www.oup.com 228 pp.

This review of the scientific literature is all about mangrove trees: their distribution, environment, reproductive adaptations; the mangrove ecosystem, form, zonation; the mangrove community, terrestrial components, including associated plants and animals ("insects, spiders, vertebrates"); the mangrove community, marine components, including algae, root fauna, crustacea, molluscs and fish; measuring and modelling mangroves; comparisons and connections, biodiversity and biogeography; impacts and uses, mangroves and pollution, hurricanes, rehabilitation and climate change.

The book comes complete with an extensive bibliography, web site listing, recommended readings, and glossary.

Hutchinson, G.E. 1975. A Treatise on Limnology. Vol. III. Limnological Botany. John Wiley & Sons, New York. 659 pp.

Keddy, P.A. 2000. Wetland Ecology - Principles and Conservation. 614 pp. Cambridge University Press, New York. WWW: http://www.cup.org

For researchers, enviro-managers and senior undergraduates, the eminent author of this book tries "to provide some unity and coherence in the study of wetland ecology" by providing "a synthesis of the existing field of wetland ecology".

Besides including an excellent and readable overview of wetlands, this book contains chapters which summarize what is known about wetland zonation and succession, diversity, hydrology, fertility, disturbance, competition, herbivory, burial, restoration and conservation, management and research. Examples from all over the world are included.

Mitchell, D.S., ed. 1974. Aquatic Vegetation and Its Use and Control. UNESCO, Paris. 135 pp.

An overview of the science of aquatic plants and their management.

Pieterse, A.H., K.J. Murphy, eds. 1990. Aquatic Weeds - The Ecology and Management of Nuisance Aquatic Vegetation. Oxford University Press, Oxford. 593 pp.

Intended as a textbook on aquatic weeds by the European Weed Research Society Working Group on Aquatic Weeds. The book is divided into three main parts: concepts, ecology, and characteristics of aquatic weeds; the management of aquatic weeds; and the present status of aquatic weed problems on various continents.

Raghavendra, A.S., editor. 2000. Photosynthesis - A Comprehensive Treatise. Paperback edition, with corrections. 376 pp. Cambridge University Press, New York, NY WWW: http://www.cup.org

"Written by an international team of experts, this is the first advanced-level treatment which spans the broad range of the topic within a single volume..." Part I includes seven chapters on the cell and molecular biology of chloroplasts -- structure; light-harvesting complexes; photo-systems I and II; pigments; chloroplast proteins; plastid genes; and electron transport. Part II includes eight chapters on physiology and biochemistry -- carbon reduction; C4 pathway; crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM); intermediate photosynthesis; starch-sucrose metabolism; photorespiration; non-carbohydrate compounds; and respiration and nitrogen metabolism. Part III is about agronomy and environmental factors -- canopy photosynthesis and crop productivity; water and salt stress; photosynthesis at low temperatures; acclimation to sun and shade; photoinhibition; effects of global climate change. Part IV includes special topics -- evolution; modelling; chlorophyll fluorescence; action of modern herbicides; and biotechnology.

Riemer, D.N. 1984. Introduction to Freshwater Vegetation. AVI Publishing Co., Inc., Westport, CT (now available from Krieger Publishing Co., Inc., Melbourne, FL). 207 pp.

A college-level introductory text on vascular plants of aquatic habitats, with an introduction to aquatic environments, biology of aquatic plants, and aquatic plants in relation to humans, including a section on the control of aquatic weeds. Although about thirty common aquatic plants are identified, this is not an identification manual.

Scheffer, M. 1998. Ecology of Shallow Lakes. ITP, POB 6904, Florence, KY 41022-6904. 357 pp.

"It is not surprising that shallow lakes refuse to obey simple rules..." "Shallow lakes" here are defined as lakes that can have large colonies of macrophytes and where the entire water column is frequently mixed (polymictic lakes). This books "presents a theoretical framework for understanding the dynamics of shallow lake communities", and includes mathemateical models and analyses. It is meant to be accessible to theoretical ecologists, as well as to lake managers, field biologists, and students. Chapters include The story of some shallow lakes; The abiotic environment; Phytoplankton; Trophic cascades; Vegetation; Managing the ecosystem: and a final chapter on The limits of knowledge. Some topics covered include storm effects on Lake Apopka; how light behaves under water; resuspension of sedimentation; competition between algae and cyanobacteria; the effect of planktivorous fish; effects of vegetation on turbidity; nutrient management, and many other topics.

Sculthorpe, C.D. 1967. The Biology of Aquatic Vascular Plants. Reprint 1985. Koeltz Scientific Books, Königstein. 610 pp.

In the late Sculthorpe’s words, a “monograph treating all aspects of the comparative biology of freshwater and marine vascular plants.” Although written primarily for undergraduate and graduate students, the author hoped the book also would be useful to teachers and researchers in the field of aquatic biology.

In July, 2000, the publisher, Koeltz, announced that they had "found" a number of copies of this book in their warehouse, and that they are for sale for approximately US$70. Contact them for more information: E-mail: koeltz@t-online.de

Shine, C., N. Williams and L. Gundling. 2000. Legal and Institutional Frameworks on Alien Invasive Species -- A Contribution to the Global Invasive Species Programme. Environmental Policy and Law Paper No. 40. 138 pp. IUCN, The World Conservation Union, Publications Services Unit, Cambridge. In English; available in Spanish and French. WWW: http://www.iucn.org

This book, two years in the making by IUCN lawyers, intends to "provide national law and policy-makers with practical information and guidance for developing or strengthening legal and institutional frameworks on alien invasive species, consistent with Article 8(h) of the Convention on Biological Diversity."

It includes "scientific considerations for legislation"; economic, social, health, ecological and genetic impacts; discussion of current international law and trade agreements, with alien species examples; relationship between international and national frameworks; measures to prevent or minimise unwanted introductions; developing legal tools for non-native species control and support of native biodiversity; and measures to promote accountability. The book also contains a table of legal instruments and provisions.

Tiner, R.W. 1998. In Search of Swampland -- A Wetland Sourcebook and Field Guide. 264 pp. IWEER, Leverett, MA WWW: http://www.wetlanded.com

This primer serves as an introduction to wetlands, and provides the basic tools to identify wetlands, their plant and animal life, and their hydric soils. It is written in a nontechnical style, but may be used as a textbook for courses in wetlands or environmental science.

This illustrated book is divided into two parts. The Wetland Primer is an overview of wetland ecology, status and trends, and contains chapters on hydrology; soils; vegetation; wildlife; formation; functions; values; causes of wetland loss; and wetland protection. The Wetland Identification Guide is a field guide to 300 wetland plants, 200 wetland animals, and soils.

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Aquatic, Wetland and Invasive Plant Textbooks