PRESENT STATUS AND FUTURE-DIRECTIONS OF TROPICAL STREAM RESEARCH

This paper presents the results of a survey of our understanding of the structure and function of streams and rivers based on the opinions of colleagues working in the tropics. The questionnaire examined the status of eight general topics: taxonomy, life history traits,standing crop biomass, production, trophic structure, transport/drift of material or organisms, nutrient dynamics, and biotic interactions. Two conclusions were reached: (1) significant progress has been made in our understanding of tropical streams and rivers; very few subjects have not been examined at one or more tropical locations. (2) Although most subjects have received at least some attention, they remain relatively unknown at most sites. Recommendations for future directions in tropical stream research are given.