Hydro-geomorphologic processes and Quaternary landforms controlling biotic components in South American wetlands: Introduction

摘要

South America is a special place for the study of large rivers and their environments. The importance of the fluvial systems there is striking compared to other regions of the planet: to be found are six of the ten largest rivers of the world in terms of water discharge and twenty four (24) of the thirty four (34) largest tropical rivers are located in South America (Latrubesse et al., 2005a, b; Latrubesse, 2008).