Patterns and processes in stream ecology

There are two primary approaches to studying nature: one focuses on cataloging organisms within a habitat, aiming to create an inventory that includes their relative abundance, while the other examines the activities of these organisms and their interactions within the ecosystem. The first approach answers the descriptive question, “Which organisms live in the habitat?” by providing scientific names, but lacks deeper insight into the habitat's dynamics. The second approach addresses the functional question, “What are the organisms doing?” highlighting interactions among groups that share resources, regardless of their evolutionary relationships. These methods are complementary yet distinct, with descriptive studies often laying the groundwork for functional analyses. The ecological literature tends to favor one approach over the other, with identification manuals typically focusing on descriptive studies, while functional texts explore ecological patterns and processes. There is limited knowledge about the ecology of seasonal tropical freshwaters, particularly in Hong Kong, and no comprehensive synthesis of existing scientific literature. This work outlines the key temporal and spatial ecological patterns of Hong Kong's streams and rivers, examining the populations and interactions of freshwater communities, with a focus on animals, though plants are also acknowledged. It should be noted that taxonomic knowledge of Hong Kong's