Overview

In 1974, John R. Vallentyne predicted that by the year 2000 we would be living in an environmental disaster he called the Algal Bowl. Just as the Dust Bowl of the 1930s was created by misusing western farmland, he forecast that the continuing misuse of lakes could only lead to water degradation. In the first edition of The Algal Bowl: Lakes and Man, he explained how the biology of lakes is changed by an overload of nutrients - a process known as eutrophication. Vallentyne demonstrated that human activity was the primary cause of eutrophication and therefore responsible for the explosive growth of algae. His efforts helped move policy makers in North America to action regarding the dangers of phosphates in fresh water. Witnessing the escalation of eutrophication, Vallentyne invited his colleague, David W. Schindler, to substantially revise this ground-breaking book. Along with updates to the scientific data, Schindler added five chapters of new research, including the effect of eutrophication on ocean estuaries. Two of North America's leading water scientists joined forces to explain the science and strategies that are essential to understanding and protecting whole water systems from eutrophication and massive algae blooms. Scientists, opinion leaders, policy makers, and concerned citizens will find this fully revised and expanded second edition an unambiguous diagnosis and prescription for change.

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9781138474529

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Reviews

'Impeccable empirical science, written with vigour and precision. Among its other charms, this is an excellent textbook... The Algal Bowl is a work of scientific poetry.' The Literary Review of Canada 'The Algal Bowl is by no means a page-turner. Nor was it intended to be. But it should be required reading for every politician, civil servant, farmer, fisherman, hunter, paddler and cottage owner who has any stake in the management of freshwater in western North America. Like the Dust Bowl of the 1930s, the Algal Bowl has the potential to disrupt ecosystems, displace human populations and cause tremendous economic hardship. Those who doubt that possibility need only look at several populous Third World countries where potable freshwater is now a thing of the past.' Ed Struzik, Edmonton Journal 'Interesting and important' Bulletin of the British Ecological Society

Author Information

Schindler, David W.

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