Quinze années de recherches sur la zonation des cours d’eau: 1963-1978. Revue commentée de la bibliographie et observations personnelles

The paper published 1963 by Illies & Botosaneanu on “Problems and methods of the classification and ecological zonation of running waters”, has attracted the attention of many hydrobiologists working on running waters; rather many of them used the system of longitudinal (vertical) zonation in their own studies, or/and critically discussed this method. An attempt is here made to critically review almost the entire bibliography on the subject published these last 15 years (about 50 titles). This review shows that meanwhile the theory of zonation has significantly developed, that it has vigorously stimulated research and discussion in different parts of the world, and that it is partly responsible for the progress achieved these last years by the rheobiological research. Original observations by the author during his research work in the Carpathians are also recorded.