A Guide to the Study of Freshwater Ecology [Hardcover]

In William A. Andrews' A Guide to the Study of Freshwater Ecology, topics ranging from the issue of pollution, to environmental encounters, to niches, to aquatic organisms are discussed thoroughly. A Guide to the Study of Freshwater Ecology provides the reader with an excellent resource for both information, as well as experiment designs targeted at the classroom environment.

In Andrews' book, which is designed just like a textbook - gives definitions, explanations, examples, and questions, yet the author throws in his own style, which can be perceived as either good or bad, depending on the reader's interests. In the beginning of the first chapter - needless emotional outbursts are intertwined with the information presented, taking away from the focus on the important aspects of the chapter. Andrews added captions to aide in the release of the tension presented in the information, yet at the same time it makes the reader realize the intensity of the situation at the same time. "Does this look like freshwater to you?" was a question proposed to the reader under a picture of a littered pond. The author ineffectively attempts to persuade the reader by linking humans and the present generation to the problem. Although these accusations are apparently true, Andrews uses strict authority against the reader, which may slightly offend the reader.

Intellectual, well thought out examples are presented in order to link information with evidential reality. At the close of each chapter, recommendations for further exploration of the topics are given, which helps the reader with guidance towards investigations. The diagrams presented in the book are helpful, yet are not labeled to the extent at which they could have been - which makes following the textual evidence in a diagram more difficult. Overall, the book is simple and easy to understand, but at the same time manages to be informative.

The author also personalizes the information being handed out, and places everything into an example, similar to those found in a classroom atmosphere. The author, though, gets to the point where his personalizations cross the line, and he begins to make bold assumptions. He gets off on tangents and gets too in-depth when it comes to role-playing examples that he sets up.

There are no summarizing concepts at the closing of the book, which leaves the reader hanging - which is not acceptable in a book about science.

Although the author gives ludicrous examples and personalizations, he manages to get away with writing on tangents, and passes by a book that would be very helpful as a guide for a teacher to work into their lesson plans.

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