Since the limnological research on the man-made Brokopondo Reservoir in the 'sixties, numerous data have been collected on the ecology of Surinam rivers and swamps. This book is a compilation of these data: it is the first comprehensive survey of the aquatic ecology of one of the peripheral areas of Amazonia. The geomorphology of the country, situated on the Guyana Shield, is the main factor determining the limnological properties of rivers and creeks. This results in an overall picture that is quite different from Amazonia. The emphasis of The Ecosystems of Suriname is on the living aquatic resources, including aquatic and swamp vegetation, phyto and zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. Although most of Suriname is still in a pristine state, the human impact on fresh waters is considerable in those areas of rapid economic development, emphasizing the necessity of conservation measures, specially tailored for aquatic ecosystems. The Ecosystems of Suriname is a valuable acquisition for all scientists, environmental managers and others interested in tropical aquatic ecology.

Since the limnological research on the man-made Brokopondo Reservoir in the 'sixties, numerous data have been collected on the ecology of Surinam rivers and swamps. This book is a compilation of these data: it is the first comprehensive survey of the aquatic ecology of one of the peripheral areas of Amazonia. The geomorphology of the country, situated on the Guyana Shield, is the main factor determining the limnological properties of rivers and creeks. This results in an overall picture that is quite different from Amazonia. The emphasis of The Ecosystems of Suriname is on the living aquatic resources, including aquatic and swamp vegetation, phyto and zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. Although most of Suriname is still in a pristine state, the human impact on fresh waters is considerable in those areas of rapid economic development, emphasizing the necessity of conservation measures, specially tailored for aquatic ecosystems. The Ecosystems of Suriname is a valuable acquisition for all scientists, environmental managers and others interested in tropical aquatic ecology.

This volume describes the results of a biological expedition to the Coppename River, which travels through the forests of the Central Suriname Nature Reserve before entering the Atlantic Ocean. Never before surveyed in any systematic way, the Coppename River was found to be one of the most intact and pristine watersheds the biological team has ever encountered. The report documents the expedition’s biodiversity findings, including ten fish species new to science.

Suriname is undoubtedly the site of origin of the oldest extant preserved specimens of South American fishes and 19 Surinamese fish species were described and figured by Linnaeus. This book offers the first comprehensive introduction to the 480 currently known fresh- and brackish-water fishes of Suriname, including identification keys, short descriptions and photographs of the species and descriptions of their habitats.

With some 480 currently known fresh- and brackish-water fish species, Suriname has a rich inland fish fauna that is related to the most diverse freshwater fish fauna on planet Earth, i.e. that of the Amazon River. Interest in the freshwater fishes of Suriname by naturalists and scientists extends back over more than two centuries. Suriname is undoubtedly the site of origin of the oldest extant preserved specimens of South American fishes and 19 Surinamese fish species were described and figured by Linnaeus. Building on ichthyological studies initiated in the 1960s by the Brokopondo Project, this book provides an introduction to the freshwater fish fauna of Suriname, including identification keys, photographs of the species and descriptions of their habitats, that should be especially useful to decision makers, conservation biologists, aquarium hobbyists and eco-tourists.

Suriname has a long history of faunal inventories, with many of its species already described by Linnaeus. Despite that, the amphibians were only treated in a few papers in scientific journals. Amphibians of Suriname is the first overview of our present knowledge of this interesting group for Suriname. The book presents short descriptions and data on the distribution and natural history of the 104 species now known for the country. Most species are illustrated by one or more photographs, and a distribution map is presented as well. Two new species and two new subspecies of frogs are described for Suriname, and for several species a contribution to the taxonomic discussion is given.

The "Amphibians of Suriname" is the first overview of our present knowledge of this interesting group for Suriname. For all 104 species a short description, photograph, distribution map and data on natural history and taxonomy are given.