A comprehensive introduction to the natural history of ponds, small lakes, and other quiet or still bodies of water in the eastern United States   This richly illustrated guide introduces readers to the biology and structure of freshwater ponds, smaller lakes, and associated wetlands in the eastern United States, and to the natural life that thrives in and around them—the flora, insects, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and fish.   Through photographs, illustrations, and detailed diagrams, Patrick J. Lynch brings ponds to life in their great variety, from freshwater marshes and swamps to vernal pools, bogs and pocosins, and beyond. He explains the natural and environmental history of these special regions: Why and how have they evolved? Why are they important to the larger ecological picture? And how are human activity and climate change defining the present and changing the future of these precious ecosystems?   Lynch’s guide is concise yet comprehensive, an indispensable tool for natural history buffs, birders, anglers, boaters, canoers, hikers, and environmental educators.