Living rivers: trends and challenges in science and management

Abstract

This paper discusses and summarizes the major conclusions of the special issue entitled 'Living rivers: trends and challenges in science and management' of Hydrobiologia/Developments in Hydrobiology. It is structured along three lines: (1) Functioning of river systems; (2) Ecological rehabilitation of river systems;(3) Challenges and obstacles to sustainable management. Sustainable river basin management requires a thorough understanding of natural, physical, chemical and ecological processes as well as socio-economic functioning. Environmental rehabilitation of river systems inevitably requires an ecosystem-based approach involving solutions supported by the public. The challenge is to combine ecological and socioeconomic sustainability. Rethinking our efforts in both directions must lead to more innovative solutions than those available at present.

Nature rehabilitation by floodplain excavation: The hydraulic effect of 16 years of sedimentation and vegetation succession along the Waal River, NL

“…Important habitats may exist but are mostly remnants of a former dynamic system (Ward et al, 2002). As these remnants evolve towards climax vegetation due to succession, the overall riverine landscape diversity will deteriorate unless new habitats are allowed to be created (Petts and Amoros, 1996;Ward et al, 2001;Tockner and Stanford, 2002;Geerling et al, 2006;Van der Velde et al, 2006). Geomorphological interventions and integration of geomorphological processes in floodplain rehabilitation plans are effective instruments for rehabilitation of regulated systems (Gilvear, 1999;Wolfert, 2001;Middelkoop et al, 2005;Gregory, 2006).…”