Historical Change Of Large Alluvial Rivers

This volume contains a series of essays which detail the geographical changes and evolution of European rivers since the 18th century. The rivers examined include the Rhone, the Meuse, the Rhine, the Elbe, the Deuro, the Ebro, the Garonne, the Po and the Weser.

A distinguished team of Western European scholars has written an advanced, full-length physical geography designed to be a state-of -the-art evaluation of the physical environment of Western Europe, being both retrospective and prospective in its perception of environmental change. The unique natural and regional environments of Western Europe are discussed, as well as the physical geographic framework of the region. Particular emphasis is placed on the impact and responses of human society on the physical environment of the region which is characterized by a very high population density. As an enhanced reference work it will be of enduring value.

Palaeohydrology is the study of changes in the waters of the Earth prior to continuous monitoring. Knowledge of these changes is important for the understanding of past and present environmental changes and of the form of the present-day environment. The evolution of the hydrological cycle in response to climatic change produces a chain of environmental and human consequences -- factors that are becoming more relevant as climate change is predicted. Evidence of past environmental changes may be used to validate models with which to predict future change -- thus the study of rates, mechanisms and processes of Late Quaternary hydrological changes is of critical importance. This volume is designed for all who are interested in the hydrological impacts of climatic change and the contribution that palaeohydrology can make to the study of these changes.

Philosophers, writers and scientists, from cell biologists to ecologists, have long recognized the special nature of boundaries and interface areas of all kinds. Among ecologists in particular, there has been an upsurge in interest in the sensitive boundary areas of interaction between ecosystems, which are called 'ecotones' and which are often characterized by higher biological diversity than adjacent areas.

In recent years there has been a marked increase in funding andemployment in river restoration. Methods in Fluvial Geomorphologyprovides an integrated approach to the interdisciplinary nature ofthe subject and offers guidance for researchers and professionalson the tools available to answer questions on river management onvery difference scales. * Each chapter is organised to cover everything from generalconcepts to specific techniques * Topics covered include evolution of methods, guiding concepts, aframework for deciding when to apply specific tools, advantages andlimitation of the tools, sources of data, equipment and suppliesneeded, and a summary table * Provides the professional with a useful handbook covering alltools used in fluvial geomorphology * Also provides valuable information on the advantages andlimitations of the tools * All chapters include case studies to give examples of theapplications of the tools discussed

An updated treatment of management and geomorphology of large rivers around the world The newly revised Second Edition of Large Rivers: Geomorphology and Management delivers a thoroughly updated exploration of the form and function of major rivers. The book brings together a set of papers on the large rivers of the world, offering readers an insightful examination of a demanding subject. The new Second Edition of the book includes fully updated and revised chapters, as well as two entirely new chapters on the Ayeyarwady and the Arctic rivers. This fascinating volume describes the environmental requirements for creating and maintaining a major river system, case studies on over a dozen large rivers from different continents in a variety of physical environments, and the measurement and management of large rivers. Unmatched in scope, Large Rivers sheds light on a subject lacking in comprehensive study. Readers will benefit from the inclusion of: A thorough introduction to the geology of large river systems, hydrology and discharge, transcontinental moving and storage of sediment, and the greatest floods and largest rivers An exploration of the classification, architecture, and evolution of large-river deltas Discussions of sedimentology and stratigraphy of large river deposits, including their recognition in the ancient record and the distinction from incised valley fills An examination of the effects of tectonism, climate change, and sea-level change on the form and behavior of the modern Amazon river and its floodplain Measurement and management of large rivers The effect of climatic change on large rivers Perfect for postgraduate students and researchers in fluvial geomorphology, hydrology, sedimentary geology, and river management, Large Rivers: Geomorphology and Management will also earn a place in the libraries of engineers and environmental consultants in the private and public sectors working on major rivers around the world.

This open access book reviews the water-agro-food and socio-eco-system of the Seine River basin (76,000 km2), and offers a historical perspective on the river’s long-term contamination. The Seine basin is inhabited by circa 17 million people and is impacted by intensive agricultural practices and industrial activities. These pressures have gradually affected its hydrological, chemical and ecological functioning, leading to a maximum chemical degradation between the 1960s and the 1990s. Over the last three decades, while major water-quality improvements have been observed, new issues (e.g. endocrine disruptors, microplastics) have also emerged. The state of the Seine River network, from the headwaters to estuary, is increasingly controlled by the balance between pressures and social responses. This socio-ecosystem provides a unique example of the functioning of a territory under heavy anthropogenic pressure during the Anthropocene era. The achievements made were possible due to the long-term PIREN Seine research program, established in 1989 and today part of the French socio-ecological research network “Zones Ateliers”, itself part of the international Long-term Socio-economic and Ecological Research Network (LTSER). Written by experts in the field, the book provides an introduction to the water budget and the territorial metabolism of the Seine basin, and studies the trajectories and impact of various pollutants in the Seine River. It offers insights into the ecological functioning, the integration of agricultural practices, the analysis of aquatic organic matter, and the evolution of fish assemblages in the Seine basin, and also presents research perspectives and approaches to improve the water quality of the Seine River. Given its scope, it will appeal to environmental managers, scientists and policymakers interested in the long-term contamination of the Seine River.