ISSN:
1572-9893
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Geography
Notes:
Abstract Recent commentaries have expressed growing concern about the present state of limnology in the United States. Two basic problems are perceived: l) there are no separate, dedicated funding programs in the US for basic limnologic research; and 2) limnology has failed to enter the global “big science” era of the 90's. While both the oceans and atmosphere are subjects of large, multinational global-scale scientific programs, similar large studies of lakes have been limited, at best, to regional studies. There are over 250 large lakes worldwide, spanning the globe from 80° N to 60° S, and ranging from hypersaline to fresh water. Altogether they contain over 68% of the earth's fresh liquid surface water. However, these large ecosystems are increasingly threatened by global anthropogenic change such as illconceived diversions, uncontrolled consumption, and progressive degradation of water and overall ecosystem quality. Global climate change is but another anthropogenic global-scale problem with potential future effects on large lakes. An organized, multinational framework for the study of large lakes on a global scale is outlined.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00216408
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