Limnology is a subdiscipline of
hydrology that concerns the study of fresh waters, specifically
lakes and
ponds (both natural and manmade), including their
biological,
physical, and
chemical aspects.
François-Alphonse Forel[?] (1841-1912) established the field with his studies of
Lake Geneva. Limnology traditionally is closely related to
hydrobiology[?], which is concerned with the application of the principles and methods of physics, chemistry,
geology, and
geography to
ecological problems.