Introducing Large Rivers

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.

Auteur

AVIJIT GUPTA, PHD, is Honorary Principal Fellow at the School of Earth, Atmospheric and Life Sciences at University of Wollongong, Australia.

Texte du rabat
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 and Mekong. 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.

Contenu
Preface xiii

1 Introduction 1

1.1 Large Rivers 1

1.2 A Book on Large Rivers 3

References 6

2 Geological Framework of Large Rivers 7

2.1 Introduction 7

2.2 The Geological Framework: Elevated Land and a Large Catchment 8

2.3 Smaller Tectonic Movements 9

2.4 The Subsurface Alluvial Fill of Large Rivers 10

2.5 Geological History of Large Rivers 12

2.6 Conclusion 14

Questions 14

References 14

3 Water and Sediment in Large Rivers 17

3.1 Introduction 17

3.2 Discharge of large Rivers 17

3.3 Global Pattern of Precipitation 18

3.4 Large River Discharge: Annual Pattern and Long-Term Variability 21

3.5 Sediment in Large Rivers 26

3.6 Conclusion 32

Questions 32

References 33

4 Morphology of Large Rivers 35

4.1 Introduction 35

4.2 Large Rivers from Source to Sink 35

4.3 The Amazon River 38

4.3.1 The Setting 39

4.3.2 Hydrology 39

4.3.3 Sediment Load 39

4.3.4 Morphology 42

4.4 The Ganga River 44

4.4.1 The Setting 44

4.4.2 Hydrology 46

4.4.3 Sediment Load 46

4.4.4 Morphology 47

4.5 Morphology of Large Rivers: Commonality and Variations 48

4.6 Conclusion 52

Questions 52

References 52

5 Large Rivers and their Floodplains: Structures, Functions, Evolutionary Traits and Management with Special Reference to the Brazilian Rivers 55
*Wolfgang J. Junk, Florian Wittmann, Jochen Schöngart, Maria Teresa F. Piedade and Catia Nunes da Cunha*

5.1 Introduction 55

5.2 Origin and Age of Rivers and Floodplains 57

5.3 Scientific Concepts and their Implications for Rivers and Floodplains 59

5.4 Water Chemistry and Hydrology of Major Brazilian Rivers and their Floodplains 60

5.5 Ecological Characterisation of Floodplains and their Macrohabitats 62

5.6 Ecological Responses of Organisms to Flood-Pulsing Conditions 64

5.6.1 Trees 65

5.6.2 Herbaceous Plants 66

5.6.3 Invertebrates 66

5.6.4 Fish 67

5.6.5 Other Vertebrates 68

5.7 Biodiversity 68

5.7.1 Higher Vegetation 69

5.7.2 Animal Biodiversity 71

5.8 The Role of Rivers and their Floodplains for Speciation and Species Distribution of Trees 71

5.9 Biogeochemical Cycles in Floodplains 73

5.9.1 Biomass and Net Primary Production 73

5.9.1.1 Algae 73

5.9.1.2 Herbaceous Plants 74

5.9.1.3 Trees of the Flooded Forest 75

5.9.2 Decomposition 76

5.9.3 The Nitrogen Cycle 77

5.9.4 Nutrient Transfer Between the Terrestrial and Aquatic Phases 78

5.9.5 Food Webs 79

5.10 Management of Amazonian River Floodplains 80

5.10.1 Amazonian River Floodplains 80

5.10.2 Savanna Floodplains 82

5.11 Policies in Brazilian Wetlands 82

5.12 Discussion and Conclusion 84

Acknowledgements 89

References 89

6 Large River Deltas 103

6.1 Introduction 103

6.2 Large River Deltas: The Distribution 104

6.3 Formation of Deltas 104

6.4 Delta Morphology and Sediment 110

6.5 The Ganga-Brahmaputra Delta: An Example of a Major Deltaic Accumulation 112

6.5.1 The Background 112

6.5.2 Morphology of the Delta 113

6.5.3 Late Glacial and Holocene Evolution of the Delta 114

6.6 Conclusion 115

Questions 115

References 116

7 Geological History of Large River Systems 119

7.1 The Age of Large Rivers 119

7.2 Rivers in the Quaternary 121 7...