Effects of Urbanization on Stream Ecosystems

Abstract

<em>Abstract.</em>—The human population of the earth continues to grow, with most of that growth occurring by expansion of existing urban areas. The resulting conversion of rural land to urban land uses will affect associated streams. This book provides researchers, aquatic resource managers, land use planners, and others with results of recent studies of the effects of urbanization on stream ecosystems. In this introductory chapter, we review some of the existing literature on urbanization and highlight some issues addressed by other chapters of the book. We expect the information in this book will be helpful to new and established researchers studying effects of urbanization, as well as to managers and others interested in recent progress in the field. Communicating results of scientific research to managers and planners is essential if streams are to be protected as urban populations continue to grow.