The River Scene
Ecology and Cultural Heritage

Practical overview of river ecology looking at natural and cultural environment.

S. M. Haslam (Author)

9780521108393, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 9 April 2009

360 pages, 400 b/w illus.
29.7 x 21 x 1.9 cm, 0.86 kg

'As a 'River Friend' and a leading internatonal authority on rivers, Dr Haslam has produced a stimulating overview which deserves a wide readership, and which will add considerably to the understanding and enjoyment of the many complex scenes of our rivers.' D. T. Taverner, Journal of Biological Education

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.

1. Introduction
2. Water - the essential element
Part I. THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT: 3. River structure and its damage
4. River types in relation to vegetation
5. Pollution altering chemical quality
6. Assessing the effect of pollution and other interferences using vegetation (macrophytes)
7. River structure for larger animals
8. Development: enhancement, improvement and geomorphology
9. Law, planning and costs
Part II. THE CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT: 10. Historic and recent
11. Archaeological
12. Survey methods and recording.

Subject Areas: Ecological science, the Biosphere [PSAF]