Animals of the Surface Film

A calm water surface on any aquatic habitat can support a community of animals and plants of great interest. Because similar constraints apply to all surface waters, members of the same groups of organisms may be found in like habitats in many parts of the world, even though the land surrounding them may be very different. Surface dwelling communities may be found on most bodies of water, including small tarns and ponds, lakes, the still backwaters of rivers and even the brackish tidal pools of estuaries and saltmarshes. Protection from wind and waves by banks and vegetation produce areas of calm water where communities develop. They are destroyed by vigorous wave action or a strong current. The members of these communities, small organisms living immediately below the surface and insects moving over it, can be observed and collected very easily from the banks. Although suitable habitats are common and widespread, the biology of communities living at the surface remains largely unexplored.

Author: Majorie Guthrie
Publisher: Richmond Publishing
Extra Details: Pictorial Card Covers 6 x 9 inches tall.86 Pages.Illustrated with Colour plates and B&W line drawings throughout.NEW BOOK.