This book is a monograph reporting the major findings from a
comprehensive study of a glacial flood plain in the Swiss Alps, based on
an intensive research program conducted year-round over several years.
Until recently, very little was known regarding the ecology of glacial
streams. Previous studies typically focused on one or a few aspects and
were limited to the summer period. Moreover, this is the first
ecological study of a glacial flood plain with a dynamic, multi-thread
channel network. Year-round sampling of a system with a complex channel
network spawned unanticipated results and new insights into the ecology
of glacial streams. The book begins with the landscape features, glacial
history, and floodplain evolution of the Val Roseg. This is followed by
chapters on channel typology, groundwater-surfacewater interactions,
thermal heterogeneity, and nutrient dynamics. Chapters on the biota deal
with terrestrial and aquatic flora, hyphomycete fungi, surface
zoobenthos, and the interstitial fauna. Functional processes are
addressed in chapters on organic matter dynamics, litter decomposition,
nutrient limitation, and drift and colonization patterns. The final
chapter provides a synthesis of our current understanding of the ecology
of Val Roseg. Weare indebted to many individuals and organizations for
assistance and support of the research program on the Val Roseg and the
production of this book.
