Floodplains are ecosystems which are driven by periodic inundation and oscillation between terrestrial and aquatic phases. An understanding of such pulsing systems is only possible by studying both phases and linking the results into an integrated overview.
This book presents the results of a 15-year study of the structure and function of one of the largest tropical floodplains, the Amazon River floodplain. It covers qualitative aspects, e.g., adaptations of aquatic and terrestrial organisms to the flood pulse as well as quantitative aspects, e.g., studies of biomass, primary production, decomposition, and nutrient cycles. The authors interpret their findings and the most important data from other studies under an integrating scientific concept, the Flood Pulse Concept.

I: Introductory Remarks.- 1 General Aspects of Floodplain Ecology with Special Reference to Amazonian Floodplains.- II: The Physical and Chemical Environment.- 2 The Large Central Amazonian River Floodplains Near Manaus: Geological, Climatological, Hydrological, and Geomorphological Aspects.- 3 Chemistry of Várzea and Igapó Soils and Nutrient Inventory of Their Floodplain Forests.- 4 Physicochemical Conditions in Floodplains.- 5 Modelling Nutrient Fluxes in Floodplain Lakes.- 6 Nitrogen Turnover in the Várzea.- 7 Methane Emissions from the Amazon Floodplain.- III: Plant Life in the Floodplain.- 8 Plant Life in the Floodplain with Special Reference to Herbaceous Plants.- 9 The Chemical Composition, Food Value, and Decomposition of Herbaceous Plants, Leaves, and Leaf Litter of the Floodplain Forests.- 10 Phytoplankton and Periphyton.- 11 The Forest Ecosystem of the Floodplains.- 12 Decomposition of Wood.- IV: Animal Life in the Floodplain.- 13 Aquatic Invertebrates.- 14 Terrestrial Invertebrates: Survival Strategies, Group Spectrum, Dominance and Activity Patterns.- 15 Adaptations to Life Under Water: Tiger Beetles and Millipedes.- 16 The Oribatid Mites.- 17 The Collembola.- 18 The Termites.- 19 The Spider Communities.- 20 The Fish.- 21 Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibians.- 22 The Birds.- V: Conclusions.- 23 Structure and Function of the Large Central Amazonian River Floodplains: Synthesis and Discussion.- References.