Temporary fresh waters, whether seasonal rivers, streams, ponds or microhabitats such as a hollowed tree trunk or pitcher plant reservoirs, exhibit amplitudes in both physical and chemical parameters which are much greater than those found in most water bodies. Organisms that live in these types of habitat have, therefore, to be particularly well adapted to these conditions if they are to survive. Survival often depends on exceptional physiological tolerance or effective immigration and emigration abilities.
Originally published in 1987, this book is one of the very few available on the subject and should be of great interest to freshwater ecologists and zoologists and botanists concerned with adaptation to extreme environments.