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6 - Declining Environmental Flows

from Part II - Challenge

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 September 2021

By
Stephanie Glenn  and
R. James Lester
Edited by
Jurgen Schmandt  and
Aysegül Kibaroglu
Edited in association with
Regina Buono  and
Sephra Thomas
Jurgen Schmandt
Affiliation:
Houston Advanced Research Center
Aysegül Kibaroglu
Affiliation:
MEF University, Istanbul
Regina Buono
Affiliation:
University of Texas, Austin
Sephra Thomas
Affiliation:
University of Texas, Austin
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Summary

This chapter discusses the impact of river engineering on natural flow regimes and the attendant effects on ecosystems. Changes in flow regimes have resulted in huge ecological change, including the creation of exotic species that replace or compete with the native species. Many rivers in arid regions have growing populations and economic activity dependent on their water supplies. Restoring natural flows may not be possible.

Keywords

environmental flowsaltered flow regimesbiodiversityaltered nutrients and sedimentsaltered topography and habitataltered connectivity and migratory life historiesreservoirs and exotic speciesRio Grande
Type
Chapter
Information
Sustainability of Engineered Rivers In Arid Lands
Challenge and Response
 , pp. 66 - 76
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2021

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