Rivers of South America

1st Edition - October 4, 2024
Editors: Manuel A.S Graca, Marcos Callisto, Franco Teixeira de Mello, Douglas Rodriguez Olarte
Language: English
Paperback ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 2 3 4 2 9 - 7
eBook ISBN:
9 7 8 - 0 - 1 2 - 8 2 2 5 9 4 - 3

Rivers of South America examines the physical, chemical, and biological environment of South American Rivers, and the people living in their basins. The book explores the main r… Read more

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Rivers of South America examines the physical, chemical, and biological environment of South American Rivers, and the people living in their basins. The book explores the main river basins, with information on each river's history, physiography, clime, hydrology, biodiversity, ecological processes, environmental problems, management, and conservation. The book identifies conservation hotspots for riverine environments, and is enriched with a large number of maps, photos, graphs, and tables. This reference is important for aquatic ecologists, environmental authorities, local and national governments, academics, NGOs, and those interested in the preservation and management of flowing waters.

Rivers of South America
Cover image
Title page
Table of Contents
Copyright
Dedication
Contributors
Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter reviewers
Chapter 1 Introduction to rivers of South America
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
1.1 Rivers and humans
1.2 South America uniqueness
1.3 History and demography
1.4 Orography
1.5 Climate
1.6 Biomes
1.7 Land cover and use
1.8 Hydrography
1.9 Water chemistry
References
Chapter 2 Rivers of the Caribbean
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Physiography, geology and clime
2.3 Climate and seasonal variations
2.4 Biogeography, natural aspects and biotic regions
2.5 Human history and culture
2.5.1 People
2.5.2 Land use
2.6 The rivers
2.6.1 Atrato
2.6.2 Catatumbo
2.6.3 Tocuyo
2.6.4 Tuy
2.6.5 Other rivers
2.7 Management and conservation
2.8 Web pages of interest
References
Chapter 3 Magdalena
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Physiography geology and relief
3.3 Climate and seasonal variations
3.4 Biogeography, natural aspects, and biotic regions
3.5 Human history and culture
3.5.1 People
3.5.2 Land use
3.6 The rivers
3.6.1 Magdalena (main course)
3.6.2 Cauca
3.6.3 Sogamoso
3.6.4 Other rivers
3.7 Management and conservation
3.8 Web pages of interest
References
Chapter 4 Orinoco
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Physiography, geology and relief
4.3 Climate and seasonal variations
4.4 Biogeography, natural aspects and biotic regions
4.5 Human history and culture
4.5.1 People
4.5.2 Land use
4.6 The rivers
4.6.1 Orinoco main stem
4.6.2 Guaviare
4.6.3 Meta
4.6.4 Caura
4.6.5 Caroní
4.6.6 Orinoco Delta
4.6.7 Other rivers
4.7 Management and conservation
4.8 Web pages of interest
References
Chapter 5 Rivers of the North Atlantic
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Physiography, geology and relief
5.3 Climate and seasonal variations
5.4 Biogeography, natural aspects and biotic regions
5.5 Human history and culture
5.5.1 People
5.5.2 Land use
5.6 The rivers
5.6.1 Essequibo
5.6.2 Corantijn
5.6.3 Suriname
5.6.4 Maroni (or Marowijne)
5.6.5 Oyapock
5.6.6 Other rivers
5.7 Management and conservation
5.8 Web pages of interest
References
Chapter 6 Amazonas
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
6.1 Introduction
6.2 Physiography geology and relief
6.3 Climate and seasonal variations
6.4 Biogeography, natural aspects and biotic regions
6.5 Human history and culture
6.5.1 People
6.5.2 Land use
6.6 The rivers
6.6.1 The Amazon River
6.6.2 Other rivers
6.7 Management and conservation
6.8 Web pages of interest
References
Chapter 7 Amazonian Rivers from the Guiana Shield
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Physiography, geology, and relief
7.3 Climate and seasonal variations
7.4 Biogeography, natural aspects and biotic regions
7.5 Human history and culture
7.5.1 People
7.5.2 Land use
7.6 The rivers
7.6.1 Rio Negro
7.6.2 Rio Branco
7.6.3 Uatumã
7.6.4 Other rivers
7.7 Management and conservation
7.8 Web pages of interest
References
Chapter 8 Rivers from the Western Amazon
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Physiography, geology and relief
8.3 Climate and seasonal variations
8.4 Biogeography, natural aspects and biotic regions
8.5 Human history and culture
8.5.1 People
8.5.2 Land use
8.6 The rivers
8.6.1 Caquetá-Japurá
8.6.2 Putumayo-Içá
8.6.3 Napo
8.6.4 Marañón
8.6.5 Ucayali
8.6.6 Juruá (Yuruá)
8.6.7 Purus
8.7 Management and conservation
8.8 Webpages of interest
References
Chapter 9 Madeira
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
9.1 Introduction
9.2 Physiography, geology and relief
9.3 Climate and seasonal variations
9.4 Biogeography, natural aspects and biotic regions
9.5 Human history and culture
9.5.1 People
9.5.2 Land use
9.6 The rivers
9.6.1 Madeira
9.6.2 Beni
9.6.3 Mamoré
9.6.4 Madre de Dios
9.6.5 Guaporé-Iténez
9.6.6 Other rivers
9.7 Management and conservation
9.8 Web pages of interest
References
Chapter 10 Amazonian Rivers from the Brazilian Shield: Xingu and Tapajós
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
10.1 Introduction
10.2 Physiography, geology and relief
10.3 Climate and seasonal variations
10.4 Biogeography, natural aspects and biotic regions
10.5 Human history and culture
10.5.1 People
10.5.2 Land use
10.6 The rivers
10.6.1 Tapajós
10.6.2 Xingu
10.6.3 Other rivers
10.7 Management and conservation
10.8 Web sites of interest
References
Chapter 11 Tocantins and Araguaia
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
11.1 Introduction
11.2 Physiography, geology and relief
11.3 Climate and seasonal variations
11.4 Biogeography, natural aspects and biotic regions
11.5 Human history and culture
11.5.1 People
11.5.2 Land use
11.6 The rivers
11.6.1 Tocantins
11.6.2 Araguaia
11.6.3 Other rivers
11.7 Management and conservation
11.8 Webpages of interest
References
Chapter 12 Rivers of the Northeast
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
12.1 Introduction
12.2 Physiography, geology and relief
12.3 Climate and seasonal variations
12.4 Biogeography, natural aspects and biotic regions
12.5 Human history and culture
12.5.1 People
12.5.2 Land use
12.6 The rivers
12.6.1 Parnaíba
12.6.2 Jaguaribe
12.6.3 Piancó-Piranhas-Açu
12.6.4 Paraíba
12.6.5 Other rivers
12.7 Management and conservation
12.8 Web pages of interest
References
Chapter 13 São Francisco
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
13.1 Introduction
13.2 Physiography, geology and relief
13.3 Climate and seasonal variations
13.4 Biogeography, natural aspects and biotic regions
13.5 Human history and culture
13.5.1 People
13.5.2 Land use
13.6 The rivers
13.6.1 Upper São Francisco
13.6.2 Paraopeba
13.6.3 Rio das Velhas
13.6.4 Pandeiros
13.6.5 Middle São Francisco
13.6.6 Lower São Francisco
13.6.7 Other rivers
13.7 Management and conservation
13.8 Web pages of interest
References
Chapter 14 Rivers of the Central Atlantic
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
14.1 Introduction
14.2 Physiography, geology and relief
14.3 Climate and seasonal variations
14.4 Biogeography, natural aspects and biotic regions
14.5 Human history and culture
14.5.1 People
14.5.2 Land use
14.6 The rivers
14.6.1 Jequitinhonha
14.6.2 Rio Doce
14.6.3 Paraíba do Sul
14.6.4 Other rivers
14.7 Management and conservation
14.8 Web pages of interest
References
Chapter 15 Uruguay
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
15.1 Introduction
15.2 Physiography, geology and relief
15.3 Climate and seasonal variations
15.4 Biogeography, natural aspects and biotic regions
15.5 Human history and culture
15.5.1 People
15.5.2 Land use
15.6 The rivers
15.6.1 Uruguay
15.6.2 Río Negro
15.6.3 Other rivers
15.7 Management and conservation
15.8 Web pages of interest
References
Chapter 16 Paraná
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
16.1 Introduction
16.2 Physiography, geology, and relief
16.3 Climate and seasonal variation
16.4 Biogeography, natural aspects and biotic regions
16.5 Human history and culture
16.5.1 People
16.5.2 Land use
16.6 The rivers
16.6.1 Upper Paraná
16.6.2 Middle and Lower Paraná
16.6.3 Paranaíba
16.6.4 Rio Grande
16.6.5 Tietê
16.6.6 Paranapanema
16.6.7 Iguaçu
16.6.8 Other rivers
16.6.9 Management and conservation
16.7 Web pages of interest
References
Chapter 17 Paraguay
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
17.1 Introduction
17.2 Physiography, geology and relief
17.3 Climate and seasonal variations
17.4 Biogeography, natural aspects and biotic regions
17.5 Human history and culture
17.5.1 People
17.5.2 Land use
17.6 The rivers
17.6.1 Paraguay mainstem
17.6.2 Cuiabá
17.6.3 Miranda
17.6.4 Apa River
17.7 Management and conservation
17.8 Web pages of interest
References
Chapter 18 Rivers draining the Southern Gran Chaco
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
18.1 Introduction
18.2 Physiography, geology and clime
18.3 Climate and seasonal variations
18.4 Biogeography, natural aspects and biotic regions
18.5 Human history and culture
18.5.1 People
18.5.2 Land use
18.6 The rivers
18.6.1 Pilcomayo
18.6.2 Bermejo
18.6.3 Salado
18.6.4 Salí-Dulce
18.7 Other rivers
18.8 Management and conservation
18.9 Web pages of interest
References
Chapter 19 Pampean rivers
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
19.1 Introduction
19.2 Physiography, geology and relief
19.3 Climate and seasonal variations
19.4 Biogeography, natural aspects and biotic regions
19.5 Human history and culture
19.5.1 People
19.5.2 Land use
19.6 The rivers
19.6.1 Rio Salado
19.6.2 Matanza Riachuelo
19.6.3 Luján-Reconquista
19.6.4 Other rivers
19.7 Management and conservation
19.8 Web pages interest
References
Chapter 20 Colorado River system
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
20.1 Introduction
20.2 Physiography geology and relief
20.3 Climate and seasonal variations
20.4 Biogeography, natural aspects and biotic regions
20.5 Human history and culture
20.5.1 People
20.5.2 Land use
20.6 The rivers
20.6.1 Colorado
20.6.2 Desaguadero
20.6.3 Other rivers
20.7 Management and conservation
20.8 Web pages of interest
References
Chapter 21 Southern Atlantic rivers
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
21.1 Introduction
21.2 Physiogeography, geology and relief
21.3 Climate and seasonal variations
21.4 Biogeography, natural aspects and biotic regions
21.5 Human history and culture
21.5.1 People
21.5.2 Land use
21.6 The rivers
21.6.1 Limay-Neuquen-Rio Negro
21.6.2 Chubut
21.6.3 Santa Cruz
21.6.4 Gallegos
21.6.5 Río Grande
21.6.6 Other rivers
21.7 Management and conservation
21.8 Web pages of interest
References
Chapter 22 Rivers flowing to the Southern Pacific
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
22.1 Introduction
22.2 Physiography, geology and relief
22.3 Climatic and seasonal variations
22.4 Biogeography, natural aspects and biotic regions
22.5 Human history and culture
22.5.1 People
22.5.2 Land use
22.6 The rivers
22.6.1 Biobío
22.6.2 Valdivia
22.6.3 Puelo
22.6.4 Baker
22.6.5 Serrano
22.6.6 Other rivers
22.7 Management and conservation
22.8 Web pages of interest
References
Chapter 23 Rivers of the Central Pacific
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
23.1 Introduction
23.2 Physiography, geology, and relief
23.3 Climate and seasonal variations
23.4 Biogeography, natural aspects and biotic regions
23.5 Human history and culture
23.5.1 People
23.5.2 Land use
23.6 The rivers
23.6.1 Loa
23.6.2 Huasco
23.6.3 Elqui
23.6.4 Choapa
23.6.5 Other rivers
23.7 Management and conservation
23.8 Web pages of interest
References
Chapter 24 Rivers of the Northern Pacific
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
24.1 Introduction
24.2 Physiography, geology and relief
24.3 Climate and seasonal variations
24.4 Biogeography, natural aspects and biotic regions
24.5 Human history and culture
24.5.1 People
24.5.2 Land use
24.6 The rivers
24.6.1 Baudó
24.6.2 San Juan
24.6.3 Patía
24.6.4 Mira
24.6.5 Esmeraldas
24.6.6 Guayas
24.6.7 Other rivers
24.7 Management and conservation
24.8 Web pages of interest
References
Chapter 25 An agenda for conservation of South American rivers
Abstract
Keywords
Acknowledgments
25.1 Biodiversity in the neotropics
25.2 Ecosystem functions and services for human societies
25.3 Threats to the riverine environment
25.3.1 Damming and water overuse
25.3.2 Deforestation
25.3.3 Agriculture and livestock
25.3.4 Urban development and pollution
25.3.5 Mining
25.3.6 Overexploitation
25.3.7 Species invasions
25.3.8 Climate change
25.3.9 Navigation projects
25.4 Conservation
25.5 Toward a research agenda
References
Index

Manuel A.S Graca

Manuel A.S. Graça is a full Professor of Ecology at the Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Portugal. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Sheffield, U.K. Since 2003, he is a visiting scientist at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, BH, Brazil. His research interests include leaf litter decomposition, stream ecology, and biomonitoring. Graça is an editor on three journals, has published 134 paper in international journals, authored one book and edited two others.

Affiliations and expertise

Professor of Ecology, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Portugal

Marcos Callisto

Marcos Callisto is a full Professor of Ecology at the Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. He received hisPh.D, from the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Callisto’s research interests include ecology of headwater streams, freshwater biodiversity conservation, leaf litter decomposition, biomonitoring, environmental education, and ecological assessment. Callisto is on an Editorial Board for a renowned journal, has published over 100 papers in international journals, 46 book chapters and has been an editor on five books.

Affiliations and expertise

full Professor of Ecology at the Departamento de Genética, Ecologia e Evolução, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais.

Franco Teixeira de Mello

Franco Teixeira de Mello is a Professor of Ecology and Environmental Management at the Department of Ecology and Environmental Management, Centro Universitario Regional del Este, Universidad de la República, Uruguay. He received his Ph.D. fromthe Universidad de la República, Uruguay. His research interests include stream ecology, fresh water fishes, biomonitoring, and leaf litter decomposition. Teixeira de Mello is an editor on three journals, published 54 paper in international journals, authored two books, edited another, and has contributed to 17 book chapters.

Affiliations and expertise

Professor of Ecology and Environmental Management, Department of Ecology and Environmental Management, Centro Universitario Regional del Este, Universidad de la República, Uruguay

Douglas Rodriguez Olarte

Douglas Rodríguez Olarte is a full Professor of Ecology at the Department of Biology, Agronomy Faculty, Universidad Centro Occidental Lisandro Alvarado. He received his Ph.D. from the University Complutense of Madrid, Spain. His research interests include biogeography, integrity, biomonitoring and conservation of freshwater fishes and rivers, and fish and aquatic ecology. Olarte has published 35 paper in international journals and authored one book, edited another, and has contributed to 25 book chapters.

Affiliations and expertise

Professor of Ecology, Department of Biology, Agronomy Faculty, Universidad Centro Occidental Lisandro Alvarado, Venezuela

Life Sciences

Physical Sciences & Engineering

Social Sciences & Humanities

Health

Rivers of South America

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Manuel A.S Graca

Marcos Callisto

Franco Teixeira de Mello

Douglas Rodriguez Olarte