This volume combines articles on shallow lakes from leading European scientists in limnology. It covers aspects of the dynamics of macrophytes, phytoplankton, zooplankton and benthos, nutrient loading, littoral-pelagic interactions, and sediment-water interactions, as well as lake management. The object was not to separate theory (e.g. modelling) and management in order to generate new theories for the understanding of shallow lake ecosystems. The volume provides a comprehensive overview of the ecology of shallow lakes, a lake type which differs in prominent ways from deeper lakes. The broad spectrum of issues may also reflect the spectrum of interested readers such as limnologists, water engineers, hydrobiologists, who will be informed on a high level about new developments.