Download or read book Rivers Handbook, Volume 1 written by Peter P. Calow and published by Wiley-Blackwell. This book was released on 1992-11-10 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Volume One of the Rivers Handbook assesses and reports on the scientific and ecological principles that are relevant for developing a rational, integrated approach to rivers management. The volume is based on two decades of research focussing on the ecological impact of water development projects and scientists are now using their accumulated knowledge to address applied problems. Simultaneously, in response to intensified legislation and growing public awareness of ecological impacts, rivers engineers, Water Authorities, and water resource managers have become increasingly in need of a comprehensive reference and directory to the application of ecologically sound practices in waterways management. This first volume (of two) commences with an overview of river systems. Subsequent sections cover the physicochemical environment emphasizing the importance of the factors defined by biota. A major section describes biota and their importance in rivers, from microorganisms to vertebrates. Ecosystems and processes are discussed in full and final chapters bring together all of the properties and processes discussed earlier in descriptions of five river types: sub-temperate, temperate, large alluvial tropical, semi-arid, and mountain.