These proceedings of a NATO Advanced Research Workshop on "Environmental Reconstruction in Headwater Areas" provide a landmark in the evolution of a distinctive movement, perhaps an emerging new philosophy, within the practice of headwater management. The Headwater Control movement traces its history back to the First International Conference on Headwater Control, Prague, 1989. Throughout this brief history, Headwater Control has remained a typical environment movement 'ad hocracy'. At its meetings, for every convert to the multidisciplinary, integrative, practical, interventionist, and above-all 'green' ideals of the group, there have been several delegates who have found the whole concept both new and slightly incomprehensible. One reason for this has been the Headwater Control practice of trying to bring together scientists, practitioners, policy-makers and non-government environmentalist organisations. The group's larger meetings have always been federal gatherings. Sponsorship has been shared with invited participation from associations representing hydrological science, soil conservation, erosion control, forestry, environmental activism and so forth. These delegations may have included fellow travellers in the work to protect headwater environments, but their main concerns have not necessarily coincided with the Headwater Control group's prescriptions for the environmental regeneration of headwater regions. The Liberec Workshop, whose proceedings are distilled into this volume, provided a first opportunity for the scattered supporters of Headwater Control to talk among themselves and fmd out to what degree there really is a shared vision of the way forward in headwater management, restoration and protection.

Rebuilding the vitality of mountain environments (Ecosystem health / Bio- diversity / Social, cultural and economic aspects); Environmental impacts of development in headwater regions (Impacts of commercial forestry, tourism, road construction, mining, etc.); Hydrology of headwater regions (Impacts of acid rain, land use change, climatic change, biological aspects of hydrological cycle); Environmental monitoring in headwater environments (Including GIS / remote sensing / problems of field research in isolated regions); Erosion control in steeplands (Soil conservation, torrent control, etc.); Management of mountain forrests and community actions (Land use, forest ecology, NGO activities, etc.); Sustainable development of mountain environment (CIDA-SICI experience).

Publisher Description

Internationally, the wetlands of headwater and upland regions provide many valuable environmental services. This book moves towards a more comprehensive inventory of the benefits and costs of headwater wetlands. It evaluates the research that tries to understand the tolerances, exchanges, checks and balances within headwater landscapes and the downstream impacts of changes in wetlands. It employs case studies and reviews from 21 nations spanning Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. It explores the new policy frameworks, changes in land husbandry, new systems for community education, participatory processes and technological interventions required for the effective management of headwater wetlands and the full integration of wetlands (including newly constructed wetlands) into environmental management and planning. In the past, most research dealt with wetlands as isolated features, this book examines wetlands in their watershed management context.

This set of papers presents a description of the synthesis of hydrological problems and various environmental implications and management strategies for different highland and headwater regions of the world. Regions covered include the Himalayas, Russian mountains, Amazonia, and upland Wales.

This Book On The Applied Aspects Of Environmental Geology Encapsulates A Geologist'S Concern That People Are Selling Their Future To Finance Their Present. Geology, Environment And Society Explores Subjects Of Ecosystem Structure; Soil And Mineral Resources And Their Conservation; Hydrogeology And Water Resources Management; Terrain Evaluation And Land-Use Planning; Engineering Geology And The Application Of Technology; Understanding Earth Processes And Natural Hazards, Climate Change And Drought; Careful Waste Disposal Methods; And Medical Geology.The Book Addresses The Problems Of Environmental Security Within The Context Of Geological Settings And The Geodynamic Sensitivity Of Terrains. It Suggests Measures To Mitigate The Adverse Consequences Of Tampering With Nature'S Fine Balance. Over 150 Detailed And Clearly Labelled Diagrams, Photographs, Maps And Satellite Images Illustrate These Aspects, And Are Critical To The Understanding Of These Problems.The Author Draws On Both Past And Contemporary Events In India To Make The Reader Familiar With The Relationship Between People And Their Natural Environment. In Doing So, He Also Highlights The Geologist'S Role In Preserving The Earth System So As To Ensure A Better Future For Humankind.

Headwaters are fragile environments threatened by anthropogenic actions. The regeneration of headwaters calls for a practical approach through integrated environmental management. This book discusses various issues concerning headwater regions of the world under wide-ranging themes: climate change impacts, vegetal cover, sub-surface hydrology, catchment and streamflow hydrology, pollution, water quality and limnology, remote sensing and GIS, environmental impact assessment and mitigation, socio-economic impacts, public participation, education and management, and integrated watershed management. This book aims to bring about an awareness in sustainable regeneration of headwater regions and particularly highlighting the problems of environmental management in highlands and headwaters. These regions consist of great reserves of natural resources which need to be exploited and managed sustainably.