The River Scene: Ecology and Cultural Heritage

by S. M. Haslam

• ISBN13: 9780521108393
• ISBN10: 052110839X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2009-04-09
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

The River Scene is a uniquely stimulating guide to the appreciation and preservation of rivers. In this highly illustrated account, Sylvia Haslam presents a new scheme for the evaluation of river quality which can be used by a wide range of users, from amateur conservationists to water management professionals. The book presents an overview of river ecology, looking first at the natural environment - river structure, classification and pollution. This is followed by a discussion of the cultural environment, the importance of which is often overlooked: the history, archaeology, and social and legal contexts of rivers. Dr Haslam is a leading international authority on rivers and their vegetation. By understanding the natural and cultural environments of rivers and applying the methods she describes, our awareness and appreciation of these beautiful resources can be greatly enhanced, and their conservation for the future aided.

Table of Contents

Introduction

Water - the essential element

The Natural Environment

River structure and its damage

River types in relation to vegetation

Pollution altering chemical quality

Assessing the effect of pollution and other interferences using vegetation (macrophytes)

River structure for larger animals

Development: enhancement, improvement and geomorphology

Law, planning and costs

The Cultural Environment

Historic and recent

Archaeological

Survey methods and recording

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