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Encyclopedia of Inland Waters, Second Edition

Light as an Ecological Resource

Publication ,  Chapter
Leech, DM; Johnsen, S
January 1, 2022

This chapter discusses the use of light by aquatic organisms for visual and non-visual tasks that often enhance fitness. Variations in underwater light among inland waters as well as mechanisms of photoreception (i.e., light capture) are first described. The adaptive significance of photoreception, and possible tradeoffs, are then discussed for a diversity of aquatic taxa, from bacteria to fishes. We also briefly describe how environmental stressors, including eutrophication, brownification, and artificial lighting, have altered the underwater light field and discuss possible ecological consequences at the organismal to ecosystem level. The chapter concludes with knowledge gaps for future research.

Duke Scholars

DOI

Publication Date

January 1, 2022

Volume

1

Start / End Page

237 / 256
 

Citation

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Leech, D. M., & Johnsen, S. (2022). Light as an Ecological Resource. In Encyclopedia of Inland Waters, Second Edition (Vol. 1, pp. 237–256). https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-819166-8.00110-9
Leech, D. M., and S. Johnsen. “Light as an Ecological Resource.” In Encyclopedia of Inland Waters, Second Edition, 1:237–56, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-819166-8.00110-9.
Leech DM, Johnsen S. Light as an Ecological Resource. In: Encyclopedia of Inland Waters, Second Edition. 2022. p. 237–56.
Leech, D. M., and S. Johnsen. “Light as an Ecological Resource.” Encyclopedia of Inland Waters, Second Edition, vol. 1, 2022, pp. 237–56. Scopus, doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-819166-8.00110-9.
Leech DM, Johnsen S. Light as an Ecological Resource. Encyclopedia of Inland Waters, Second Edition. 2022. p. 237–256.

DOI

Publication Date

January 1, 2022

Volume

1

Start / End Page

237 / 256