Avijit Gupta

An accessible introduction to large rivers, including coverage of the geomorphology, hydrology, ecology, and environments of large river systems This indispensible book takes a structured and global approach to the subject of large rivers, covering geomorphology, hydrology, ecology, and anthropogenic environment. It offers a thorough foundation for readers who are new to the field and presents enlightening discussions about issues of management at the worldwide scale. The book also examines possible future adaptations that may come about due to climate change. The book has benefitted from contributions by Professor W. J. Junk on the ecology of floodplains and Professor Olav Slaymaker on the large arctic rivers. Introducing Large Rivers is presented in three parts. Part 1 provides an introduction to the world’s large rivers and their basins. It covers source, transfer, and storage of their water and sediment; Pleistocene inheritance; the ecology of channels and floodplains; deltas; and more. Several large rivers are discussed in the next part. These include the Amazon Mississippi, Nile, Ganga-Brahmaputra System, Mekong, and Yangtze. The last part examines changes in large rivers and our management of river systems. It studies anthropogenic alterations such as land use and deforestation in large river basins; structural control systems like dams and reservoirs on channels; and ecological changes. It finishes with chapters on the management of large rivers, covering both technical and political aspects, and the future of the world’s big river systems. Introducing Large Rivers is ideal as an introductory textbook on large rivers for future earth and environmental scientists and river managers. It will also benefit advanced undergraduate and graduate students studying geography, geology, ecology, and river management.

Although similar geomorphic processes take place in other regions, in the tropics these processes operate at different rates and with varying intensities. Tropical geomorphology therefore provides many new discoveries regarding geomorphic processes. This textbook describes both the humid and arid tropics. It provides thoroughly up-to-date concepts and relevant case studies, and emphasises the importance of geomorphology in the management and sustainable development of the tropical environment, including climate change scenarios. The text is supported by a large number of illustrations, including satellite images. Student exercises accompany each chapter. Tropical Geomorphology is an ideal textbook for any course on tropical geomorphology or the tropical environment, and is also invaluable as a reference text for researchers and environmental managers in the tropics.

This collection of papers is based largely on contributions by participants in a series of special sessions at the June 1995 South East Asia Conference of the International Association of Geomorphologists. The concept that draws these papers together is best explained in the following excerpt from the call for papers that was issued in advance of the conference: The purpose of this special session is to provide an opportunity for discussion of the diversity of fluvial forms that may arise in ‘unusual’ settings… These may include settings where external forcing factors exert a powerful influence precluding or modifying the type of equilibrium form that is expected to develop under quasi-stable conditions in an alluvial channel: for example, patterns of response to tectonic activity… longitudinal variations in channel and floodplain form associated with spatially varying patterns of bedrock lithology or jointing… arid region rivers with longitudinal discharge trends that are not mono-tonically increasing. Also of potential interest are morphological features forming under climatic/hydrologic regimes associated with monsoon, tropical wet, extremely arid or extremely cold environments; or patterns of vegetation distribution that exert a controlling influence on channel form. It is hoped that the papers contributed to this session will encompass a broad range of geographic as well as morphological diversity. The underlying premise was that the world’s rivers encompass a wide range of influences and associated fluvial forms, but that the geomorphic literature traditionally has focused most intensively on a subset of those forms (mostly comprised of alluvial rivers from humid temperate, semiarid or proglacial environments), and may not treat a spectrum of morphological types that is proportionately representative of the rivers that actually exist on the earth’s surface. Thus the intention of this volume is, first and foremost, to present an international set of case studies with a strong descriptive component, representing the diversity of fluvial forms. To quote Baker and Komatsu in the opening paper of this volume "excitement and pleasure in science derive not so much from achieving the final explanation as from discovering the fascinating range of new phenomena to be explained". It is our hope that readers of this volume will share some of that excitement and pleasure.

Environment and the Developing World brings together the various aspects of environmental studies and management (earth and natural sciences, engineering and economics) as they relate to the developing world. It discusses environmental issues as well as the techniques and infrastructure for their management at various levels: global, national and local. The examples range from global warming and ozone depletion to the management of water resources and indoor air pollution. The book stresses the interrelated and interdisciplinary nature of environment, discusses the concept of sustainable development, explores the role of non-governmental organisations, and evaluates the importance attributed by international and multilateral organisations to monitoring environmental aspects of development projects. It critically reviews various economic, social and regulatory policies which address environmental issues. The different disciplines of the two authors (a physical geographer and a public policy economist) help to maintain the balanced and interdisciplinary nature of the book. Written primarily for advanced undergraduates, this is a stimulating text for any environment related course. Written in simple language and avoiding unnecessary jargon the book explains clearly the technical aspects of environmental management. Profuse illustrations, a large number of examples from a range of geographical areas, boxed case studies and stimulating exercises make the book attractive and comprehensive. All these features make the book a unique teaching tool in environmental management in the developing world.

This comprehensive second edition provides an up-to-date introduction to the nature of ecological degradation in a world of dramatic environmental change.

This comprehensive second edition provides an up-to-date introduction to the nature of ecological degradation in a world of dramatic environmental change.