Summarizes the palaeohydrological changes that have taken place during the last 15,000 years in various countries around the world. Written by leading experts in the field, it is divided into three main sections. The first section introduces the temperate zone and IGCP Project 158. Section two consists of 14 chapters describing the research conclusions from many different study areas with themes developed for each to aid in the understanding of temperate palaeohydrology. The final section provides perspectives of temperate palaeohydrology in various areas and then offers conclusions comparing and contrasting the events from one area to another in the temperate zone; explores global patterns; and points the way to continued research in the future.
Palaeohydrological research is a comparatively recent development. However, research undertaken has already demonstrated a significant multidisciplinary impact and shown how palaeohydrology can provide an important contribution to the study of global change. Although a considerable amount of exciting palaeohydrological research has been applied to particular areas, there has not previously been a systematic approach to research into the palaeohydrology of the Earth s surface. It was for this reason that a Commission was established by INQUA in 1991 on Global Continental Palaeohydrology. This volume provides the background to that exciting international research project and has been written to provide a basis for understanding the current state of research into the palaeohydrology of the land surface of the Earth. It therefore gives a summary of the work achieved to date and of the research investigations currently taking place, together with an indication of the way in which palaeohydrological research relates to other global research programmes.
"Given the sheer scale of the topic under consideration here, Professor Gregory does well to condense it into bite-size pieces for the reader. I recommend this text to all undergraduate students of physical geography and earth sciences, particularly to those in their first and second years... This book is a comprehensive and (crucially) inexpensive text that will provide students with a useful source on geomorphology." - Lynda York, The Geographical Journal "I would highly recommend this to anyone doing geology or geography at university as a ′go to′ book for geomorphology and landform." - Sara Falcone, Teaching Earth Science "An excellent source of information for anyone who needs a well-informed, easy to use reference volume to introduce them to the fascinating complexities of the earth’s land surface, past, present and future." - Angela Gurnell, Queen Mary, University of London This introductory text details the land surface of the earth in a readable style covering the major issues, key themes and sensitivities of the environments/landscape. Emphasising the major ideas and their development, each chapter includes case studies and details of influential scientists (not necessarily geomorphologists) who have contributed to the progress of understanding. Providing a very clear explanation of the understanding achieved and of the debates that have arisen, the book is comprised of 12 chapters in four sections: Visualising the land surface explains and explores the composition of the land surface and outlines how it has been studied. Dynamics of the land surface considers the dynamics affecting the earth′s land surface including its influences, processes and the changes that have occurred. Environments of the land surface looks to understand the land surface in major world regions highlighting differences between the areas. Management of the land surface is an examination of the current and future prospects of the management of the earth′s land surface. With pedagogical features including further reading, questions for discussion and a glossary, this original, lively text is authored by one of the leading experts in the field and will be core reading for first and second year undergraduates on all physical geography courses.
The studies collected in this volume were conducted as part of the International Geological Correlation Program, organized to encourage research devoted to identifying and assessing the earth's natural resources and improving the state of our environment. Representing current research in the field, this volume looks at several aspects of water as a natural resource and how natural and engineered water systems interact with the surrounding environment. Its major focus is on the environmental evolution of hydrological systems, their formation and changes over time, and the impact of human activity on such changes. Coverage includes an analysis of climatic change in Central Britain over the past millenium; the palaeoecology of the Severn Basin during the late Quaternary Age; prehistoric irrigation practices in the Severn Basin; and an overview of the evolution of European rivers. The discussions offered here are intended to provide clues to possible approaches for preserving and improving the earth's environment and to extend models of environmental change in order to illuminate what to expect in the future.
Paleohydrology is the study of how the composition, distribution, and movement of water many have influenced environmental change over time. Using in-depth case studies from North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, this book explores paleohydrological reconstruction and its implications on past and future environmental change.
River Channel Management is the first book to deal comprehensively with recent revolutions in river channel management. It explores the multi-disciplinary nature of river channel management in relation to modern management techniques that bear the background of the entire drainage basin in mind, use channel restoration where appropriate, and are designed to be sustainable. River Channel Management is divided into five sections: ·The Introduction outlines the need for river channel management . ·Retrospective Review offers an overview of twentieth century engineering methods and the ways that river channel systems operate. ·Realisation explains how greater understanding of river channel adjustments, channel hazards and river basin planning created a context for twenty-first century management. ·Requirements for Management explains and examines environmental assessment, restoration-based approaches, and methods that work towards 'design with nature' ·Final Revision speculates about prospects for twenty-first century river channel management. River Channel Management is written for higher-level undergraduates and for postgraduates in geography, ecology, engineering, planning, geology and environmental science, for professionals involved in river channel management, and for staff in environmental agencies.
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.
