Alpine Streams and Rivers

This chapter provides an overview of current understanding of alpine lotic ecosystems. The global distribution of alpine streams is presented and links between climate and hydrology are discussed. The different stream types found in the alpine zone, associated habitat properties and the concept of dynamic water source contributions (e.g., snow, ice/permafrost, groundwater and rainfall) are all introduced. Current knowledge of alpine stream ecosystem structure and function is presented, with an emphasis on biodiversity patterns of key biotic groups (i.e., microbes, algae, invertebrates and fish), biogeochemical cycling and species interactions. A discussion of anthropogenic threats and future predictions for alpine rivers, with a particular focus on glacier-fed rivers, concludes the chapter.