The purpose of this manual is to familiarize individuals with a variety of topics related to freshwater ecosystems. It is intended to be user friendly and should therefore be beneficial to individuals with a wide range of expertise. If you come across a term you don’t understand, there is a glossary near the end of the book. The information on freshwater invertebrates, fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, and plants is meant to familiarize the user with only the most common groups in Texas lakes and streams. Although this document contains the most current information available, keep in mind that the classification of plants and animals is always being evaluated. A reference list is included at the end of the manual to provide individuals with sources of more detailed information and complete keys.

The authors would like to thank staff from TCEQ and TPWD for reviewing this document.