River Conservation and Management: International Conference Papers - Hardcover

Boon, Philip J.; Calow, Peter; Petts, Geoff E.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0471929468 ISBN 13: 9780471929468

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 1991

Synopsis

Intended for all those with an interest in achieving greater integration of conservation in the management of river systems, this book is organized in four sections. The first sets out the case for conservation, using examples from specific river systems around the world. The second discusses ways of classifying rivers and assessing their potential for conservation. Detailed examples of recovery and rehabilitation are described in the third section and the final part outlines various means of river protection within a legal framework, based on experiences in the UK and North America. Throughout the book, a number of broad themes are reiterated, including the need for a holistic, whole-catchment approach; improved techniques of observation and data collection; a greater appreciation of the naturally dynamic character of river ecosystems and a more thorough understanding of river systems in general. The future prospects of river conservation are also covered.

About this title

Review

Overall, this book has successfully tackled this challenge head on and highlighted some key concepts. It will be interesting to see what the next 20 years will herald and whether or not rivers will be given a higher conservation value in terms of the part they play in providing overall ecosystem value.   (Progress in Physical Geography, 4 April 2013)

From the Back Cover

This book is intended for those with an academic, scientific and practical interest in river conservation and management. It provides an overview of how changes in legislation, policies, institutional responsibilities, science, technology, practical techniques and public perception have influenced how rivers have been managed over the past 20 years and the challenges that lie ahead during the next 20 years.

The book is based on the international conference River Conservation and Management:20 Years On held at York. Thirty–one chapters, with contributions from North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia provide a wide–ranging perspective on this complex but profoundly important subject.

Following an introduction that chronicles the most important contextual changes, the book is organized into four broad topics:

• Catchment management, ecosystem integrity and the threats to river ecosystems this covers progress on  understanding and addressing the pressures affecting rivers, many of which will be amplified by climate change and increasing human demands for water;
• Methods and approaches illustrating some recent techniques that have been developed to assess condition and conservation status across  different types of river;
• Recovery and rehabilitation providing an insight into the principles, practice, public involvement and institutional networks that support and make improvements to modified river reaches;
• Integrating nature conservation into wider river management demonstrating the importance of integrated planning, involvement of local communities and the use of adaptive management in achieving multiple environmental and economic benefits along rivers used for different purposes.

The final chapter discusses the challenges faced in dealing with an uncertain future.

More than 1200 different references and numerous web–site citations provide the reader with an invaluable source of knowledge on the subject area.

Edition details

• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Ltd
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0471929468
• ISBN 13: 9780471929468
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 484