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.