Limnology
Definition
Limnology is the integrative, multidisciplinary, scientific study of inland waters. This includes all
inland waters: lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, reservoirs, groundwater, ponds, marshes, and more.
Hence, it is commonly defined as that branch of science that deals with the biological productivity of
inland waters and with all the causal influences that determine it (Welch, 1963).
The word limnology comes from the Greek words “limne”, meaning "marsh or pond," and “ology”,
meaning "the study of." Limnology is the study of inland waters - lakes (both freshwater and saline),
reservoirs, rivers, streams, wetlands, and groundwater - as ecological systems interacting with their
drainage basins and the atmosphere.
The majority of limnology is based on freshwater environments, but there are a few salt lakes that also are
considered within the discipline. Limnology is built on sub-disciplines, including geology, physics,
chemistry, biology, and often adopts an ecosystem perspective to address academic and applied problems.
INLAND WATERS
Inland waters are water bodies inland from the coastal zone and areas whose properties and use are
dominated by the permanent, seasonal, or intermittent occurrence of flooded conditions. Inland waters
include rivers, lakes, floodplains, reservoirs, wetlands, and inland saline systems.
Frey (1960) classified the Inland waters in 3 different ways –
A. Depending on whether the water is stationary or flowing,
B. Depending on whether the water is natural or artificial,
C. Depending on whether the water is permanent or temporary.
.
,A. Classification of Inland Waters based on Stationary or flowing waters –
INLAND WATERS
Lotic Water Lentic Water
(Flowing Water) (Standing Water)
River Streams Reservoirs Lakes Swamps Ponds
Fig. Classification of Inland waters depending on whether the water is stationary or flowing.
1. Flowing Water (Lotic water):
This includes creeks, streams and rivers. There is a continuous current of water in a single direction. The
organisms inhabiting these waters have complexity of adaptation towards the increasing water current
speed. Running waters are normally shallow and have long, often complex, narrow channels.
River:
A river is defined as a natural freshwater stream that flows continuously in a channel, typically moving
towards another body of water, such as an ocean, lake, or another river.
Examples: Nile River, Buriganga River, Shitalakshya River etc.
Stream:
A stream is a flowing body of water that moves through a natural channel on land, driven primarily by
gravity. Streams can vary significantly in size and characteristics and are often smaller than rivers.
Examples: Small Brook, Creek (A larger stream that can support more significant flow and may connect
to rivers), Rill and Braided Stream.
.
, 2. Standing Water (Lentic Water):
Lentic water refers to bodies of standing or slow-moving water found in ecosystems where the water does
not flow significantly.
The term "lentic" is derived from the Latin word “lentus”, meaning "slow." Here the water current is a
major ecological factor. It includes all forms of inland waters such as lakes, ponds, swamps and their
various integrates in which the water does not flow continuously in a definite direction.
Pond
A pond is a small, still body of water surrounded by land, typically less than 5 hectares (12 acres) in area
and usually no more than 5 meters (16 feet) deep.
According to Odum (1971), “Ponds are small bodies of water in which the littoral zone is relatively large
and the limnetic and profundal zones are small or absent.” Ponds can be natural or artificial and often
support diverse ecosystems.
Example: Walden Pond in Massachusetts, famous for its association with Henry David Thoreau, is about
62 acres in size.
Lake
A lake is a body of water of considerable large size, localized in a basin that is surrounded by land apart
from a river or other outlet that serves to feed or drain the lake.
Lakes can vary greatly in size and depth and are often classified based on their characteristics such as
salinity and nutrient levels.
Example: Lake Superior, one of the five Great Lakes in North America, covers approximately 31,700
square miles.
Swamp
A swamp is a type of wetland characterized by the presence of standing water and dominated by woody
plants. Swamps are often found in low-lying areas and can be freshwater or saltwater.
Example: The Everglades in Florida is a vast network of swamps and wetlands known for its rich
biodiversity.
Reservoir
A reservoir is an artificial lake created by damming rivers or streams to store water for various purposes
such as drinking water supply, irrigation, flood control, or hydroelectric power generation. This also helps
in fish production, flood control and recreation.
Example: Hoover Dam creates Lake Mead, one of the largest reservoirs in the United States, serving
multiple purposes including recreation and water supply.
.
Definition
Limnology is the integrative, multidisciplinary, scientific study of inland waters. This includes all
inland waters: lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, reservoirs, groundwater, ponds, marshes, and more.
Hence, it is commonly defined as that branch of science that deals with the biological productivity of
inland waters and with all the causal influences that determine it (Welch, 1963).
The word limnology comes from the Greek words “limne”, meaning "marsh or pond," and “ology”,
meaning "the study of." Limnology is the study of inland waters - lakes (both freshwater and saline),
reservoirs, rivers, streams, wetlands, and groundwater - as ecological systems interacting with their
drainage basins and the atmosphere.
The majority of limnology is based on freshwater environments, but there are a few salt lakes that also are
considered within the discipline. Limnology is built on sub-disciplines, including geology, physics,
chemistry, biology, and often adopts an ecosystem perspective to address academic and applied problems.
INLAND WATERS
Inland waters are water bodies inland from the coastal zone and areas whose properties and use are
dominated by the permanent, seasonal, or intermittent occurrence of flooded conditions. Inland waters
include rivers, lakes, floodplains, reservoirs, wetlands, and inland saline systems.
Frey (1960) classified the Inland waters in 3 different ways –
A. Depending on whether the water is stationary or flowing,
B. Depending on whether the water is natural or artificial,
C. Depending on whether the water is permanent or temporary.
.
,A. Classification of Inland Waters based on Stationary or flowing waters –
INLAND WATERS
Lotic Water Lentic Water
(Flowing Water) (Standing Water)
River Streams Reservoirs Lakes Swamps Ponds
Fig. Classification of Inland waters depending on whether the water is stationary or flowing.
1. Flowing Water (Lotic water):
This includes creeks, streams and rivers. There is a continuous current of water in a single direction. The
organisms inhabiting these waters have complexity of adaptation towards the increasing water current
speed. Running waters are normally shallow and have long, often complex, narrow channels.
River:
A river is defined as a natural freshwater stream that flows continuously in a channel, typically moving
towards another body of water, such as an ocean, lake, or another river.
Examples: Nile River, Buriganga River, Shitalakshya River etc.
Stream:
A stream is a flowing body of water that moves through a natural channel on land, driven primarily by
gravity. Streams can vary significantly in size and characteristics and are often smaller than rivers.
Examples: Small Brook, Creek (A larger stream that can support more significant flow and may connect
to rivers), Rill and Braided Stream.
.
, 2. Standing Water (Lentic Water):
Lentic water refers to bodies of standing or slow-moving water found in ecosystems where the water does
not flow significantly.
The term "lentic" is derived from the Latin word “lentus”, meaning "slow." Here the water current is a
major ecological factor. It includes all forms of inland waters such as lakes, ponds, swamps and their
various integrates in which the water does not flow continuously in a definite direction.
Pond
A pond is a small, still body of water surrounded by land, typically less than 5 hectares (12 acres) in area
and usually no more than 5 meters (16 feet) deep.
According to Odum (1971), “Ponds are small bodies of water in which the littoral zone is relatively large
and the limnetic and profundal zones are small or absent.” Ponds can be natural or artificial and often
support diverse ecosystems.
Example: Walden Pond in Massachusetts, famous for its association with Henry David Thoreau, is about
62 acres in size.
Lake
A lake is a body of water of considerable large size, localized in a basin that is surrounded by land apart
from a river or other outlet that serves to feed or drain the lake.
Lakes can vary greatly in size and depth and are often classified based on their characteristics such as
salinity and nutrient levels.
Example: Lake Superior, one of the five Great Lakes in North America, covers approximately 31,700
square miles.
Swamp
A swamp is a type of wetland characterized by the presence of standing water and dominated by woody
plants. Swamps are often found in low-lying areas and can be freshwater or saltwater.
Example: The Everglades in Florida is a vast network of swamps and wetlands known for its rich
biodiversity.
Reservoir
A reservoir is an artificial lake created by damming rivers or streams to store water for various purposes
such as drinking water supply, irrigation, flood control, or hydroelectric power generation. This also helps
in fish production, flood control and recreation.
Example: Hoover Dam creates Lake Mead, one of the largest reservoirs in the United States, serving
multiple purposes including recreation and water supply.
.
