Environmental Flows describes the timing, quality, and quantity of water flows required to sustain freshwater and estuarine ecosystems and the human well-being and livelihoods that depend upon them. It answers crucial questions about the flow of water within and between different kinds of ecosystems. What happens when the flow or the availability of water is curtailed or diverted, either naturally or by human activity? How will climate change alter the availability of water and impact aquatic ecosystems? Methodological developments from the simplest hydrological formulas to large-scale frameworks that inform water management make this book a must-read for water managers and freshwater and estuarine ecologists contending with ever-changing conditions influencing the flow of water.
Angela Arthington is Emeritus Professor in the Faculty of Environmental Science at Griffith University in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. She is a senior Research Member of the Australian Rivers Institute and advisor to State and Commonwealth governments on environmental water management.
“Freshwaters worldwide continue to be severely degraded by human activities, and urgent government action is needed. Angela Arthington is perfectly equipped to advise how to design environmental flows that sustain the biodiversity and ecosystem services provided by our priceless rivers.”—Colin Townsend, University of Otago, New Zealand
“Professor Arthington is a widely respected and acknowledged leader on environmental flows. Her book is an exceptional compilation and state-of-the-science overview of the subject. Well-written and easy to understand, it is essential reading for educators, scientists, practitioners, and decision-makers addressing river-related flow issues.”—Robert J. Naiman, author of /i/Riparia: Ecology, Conservation, and Management of Streamside Communities//i/
“Environmental Flows is a great gift to rivers and to people striving to protect and restore them. Arthington provides a masterful synthesis of the science and practice of environmental flows—and why their implementation is so urgently needed. Environmental Flows is a must-read for all involved with river science and management, from hydrologists and ecologists to engineers and resource managers. Educators and students will find it invaluable.”—Sandra Postel, co-author of /i/Rivers for Life: Managing Water for People and Nature//i/
"Arthington’s life work on understanding riverine ecosystems has produced this knowledgeable, accessible, and insightful book. It gives us hope that our 'enormous human adaptive capacity and the power of innovative science' will help us tackle the urgent and complex problems caused by climate change. /i/Environmental Flows//i/ is for scientists, students, policy-makers, and water managers; indeed, it is a book for all who work toward protecting healthy ecosystems for ourselves and future generations."--Poh-Ling Tan, International WaterCentre Professor of Water Law and Governance
"Managing water to balance direct human use (drinking supply, agriculture, power, and industry) and indirect use (water for river and wetland ecosystems) is a major challenge. Angela Arthington employed her exceptional knowledge and experience to guide us through a complex cross-disciplinary examination of environmental flows to create an indispensable text for people interested in managing and conserving our rivers."--Michael C. Acreman, Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
424 pp.6 x 9Illus: 43 line illustrations, 36 tables
9780520273696$85.00|£71.00Hardcover
Oct 2012