The World of Lakes explains the properties of lake water, the formation of lakes, their dramatic seasonal patterns, and the communities of plants and animals that they support. The remarkable variety of the world's lakes is then described: from the frozen lakes of Antarctica, which face perpetual cold and prolonged darkness, to the rich warm waters of equatorial Africa. Having provided a picture of lakes as dynamic but delicate habitats, the authors discuss the crucial question of conservation.
This is a revised and updated edition of The Natural History of Lakes, published in 1987.