Lake Titicaca, because of its area and volume and its situation at high attitude within the tropics, is a unique hydrological site in the world. It should be noted that it stands at the transition point between two very distinct geographical regions: the desert fringe of the Pacific coast to the west and the great Amazonian forest extending to the Atlantic coast to the east.
Many scientists have been attracted to the lake in the past because of its unusual limnological features. In this book the editors have compiled an exhaustive review of current knowledge from the existing literature and from the results of more recent observations.
It is certain that this book will become the essential reference work for scientists wanting to make progress in revealing the lake's secrets. It can be stated unequivocally that this work constitutes a complete review of the present state of knowledge on Lake Titicaca and that it provides the latest results of research on this habitat.

Inhalt

A. Abiotic Aspects.- I. Origins.- I.1. Formation and geological evolution.- References of chapter I.- II. Geomorphology and Sedimentation.- II.1. Morphology and bathymetry.- II.2. General aspects of present-day sedimentation.- II.3. Temporal sedimentation patterns in the nearshore littoral of Lago Huiñaimarca.- References of chapter II.- III. Paleohydrology.- III. 1. A 20,000 years paleohydrological record from Lake Titicaca.- III.2. Ancient lake environments as deduced from pollen analysis.- References of chapter III.- IV. Climatology and Hydrology.- IV. 1. Climatology and hydrology of the Lake Titicaca basin.- References of chapter III.- V. Physico-Chemistry.- V.1. Physico-chemical properties of the water.- V.2. Hydrochemical regulation of the lake and water chemistry of its inflow rivers.- V.3. Dissolved matter and suspended sediment loads in some inflow rivers and in the Rio Desaguadero.- V.4. The thermal stratification regime in Lake Titicaca.- V.5. The energy balance.- V.6. Nutrients and nutrient limitation of phytoplankton.- References of chapter V.- B. Biological Communities.- VI.1. Phytoplankton.- VI.1a. The diatoms.- VI.1b. Algae: General floristic study.- VI.1c. Phytoplankton: Quantitative aspects and populations.- VI.1d. Patterns of planktonic primary production and algal biomass.- References of chapter VI.1.- VI.2. Macrophytes.- VI.2a. The higher plants.- VI.2b. Charophytes.- VI.2c. Higher plants: Distribution and biomass.- References of chapter VI.2.- VI.3. Zooplankton.- VI.3a. The Cladocera.- VI.3b. Zooplankton distribution in the Bolivian part of the lake.- VI.3c. Temporal and spatial variation of Zooplankton in Lago.- VI.3d. Note on the feeding behaviour of Zooplankton.- References of chapter VI.3.- VI.4. Benthic Fauna.- VI.4a. The Bryozoa and Coelenterata.- VI.4b. The Porifera: Description of a new taxon Balliviaspongiawirrmanni n.g. n.sp..- VI.4c. The benthic oligochaetes.- VI.4d.The Tricladida and Hirudinea.- VI.4e. The Mollusca.- VI.4f. The Ostracoda.- VI.4g. The Amphipoda.- VI.4h. The Hydracarina.- VI.4i. The insects.- VI.4j. The benthic populations: Distribution and seasonal variations.- References of chapter VI.4.- VI.5. Fish Fauna.- VI.5a. Native species. The Orestias.- VI.5b1. Introduced species: 1. Salmo gairdneri (rainbow trout).- VI.5b2. Introduced species: 2. Basilichthys bonariensis (the "Pejerrey").- References of chapter VI.5.- VI.6. Associated Animal Communities.- VI.6a. The Amphibia.- VI.6b. The Ophidians.- VI.6c. The avifauna.- References of chapter VI.6.- C. Exploitation of the Lake Resources Socio-Economic Aspects and Contamination.- VII.1. Ethnology and Socio-Economy.- VII.1a. Past and present human populations.- VII.1b. Former lake fisheries and fish fauna of the lake.- VII.1c. Social and economic aspects of the fisheries.- VII.1d. The socio-economic importance of macrophytes.- VII.1e. Influence of the lake on littoral agriculture.- References of chapter VII.1.- VII.2. Hydrological Potential.- VII.2.a. The water resources.- References of chapter VII.2.- VII.3. Ichtyological Potential.- VII.3a. The fishery potential.- References of chapter VII.3.- VII.4. Contamination.- VII.4a. Eutrophication and pollution problems.- References of chapter VII.4.- Geographical and Subject Index.- Taxonomic Index.