Freshwater ecosystems: a perspective

Abstract

Lacustrine ecosystem structure and function are dependent on the relative scales of spatial and temporal dynamics of the local environment. Perceptions of the scales of environmental dynamics affects interpretations of the dominant processes that control ecosystem structure and function. Aspects of habitat and biological dynamics are noted, and the idea of the relational ecosystem is introduced with consideration of organisms and populations, community processes, competition, stress tolerance and resource limitation, predation, and ruderal growth. -P.J.Jarvis