Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 31.1
Trends in river science over the period 1970 to 2010.
Table 31.1 sets out some of the trends in
river conservation and management predicted two
decades ago by Welcomme (1992) and summarizes
progress or otherwise for each of these in the
intervening period.
It is clear, for example, that river restoration
is still predominantly site-specific rather than
strategic in nature (Holmes and Janes, this volume;
Aberg and Tapsell, this volume); this perhaps
reflects the spatial variability of river morphology
(Sear 1994; Sear
et al
., 1996; Gilvear, 1999; Davy-
Bowker and Furse, 2006). Also, while river science
methods and associated conceptual understanding
of river behaviour have developed considerably,
sustainable restoration has not progressed to the
same extent in practice. The 1990s' emphasis
on catchment-scale management subsequently
underpinned the river basin approach of the WFD
in Europe (Council of the European Communities,
2000). Despite this, the philosophical and practical
recognition of the importance of floodplains has
been slow, and their protection is still often
hindered by perceptions of flood risk and hazard.
For example, in England, 'Making Space for
Water' is a recent Government-led initiative
taking forward flood and coastal erosion risk
management; however, there are major challenges
in allowing space for rivers to move while high-
profile significant flood events over the past few
years
continue
to
affect
populations
living
in
