Temporary Waters as Study Habitats

Abstract

The ubiquitous nature and small size of temporary ponds and streams, combined with high degree of physiological tolerance of many of their inhabitants, make them ideal subjects for practical classroom study. Not only can they be used to illustrate fundamental features of aquatic systems but they are perhaps the best environments in which to study species interactions and community succession. In addition, they lend themselves perfectly to experimental investigation of colonization mechanisms and physiological tolerance limits.