AbstractsBiology & Animal Science

Numerous attempts have been made to classify the various types of lentic environments. None of the systems of classifying lakes, whether based on dissolved oxygen, thermal conditions, chironomid larvae or numerous other criteria, has been wholly successful, nor are they likely to be until lakes in the more inaccessable regions of the world are investigated. Welch (1941) wrote, "In fact, I am disposed to view most of them as premature and worthy of little attention." Though the volume of limnological knowledge has increased greatly since then, attempts at classification are still largely premature.