World's Big Rivers

An accessible introduction to the world’s great rivers from an interdisciplinary perspective Presenting an interdisciplinary perspective on the world’s great rivers, this book integrates the geomorphology, geology, and ecology of rivers with issues of contemporary river management. It is an accessible and excellently illustrated guide that focuses on 12 major rivers from across the globe and the major environmental challenges facing these rivers now and over the next 50 years. Key topics covered in this comprehensive text include: Geological, climatic, and anthropogenic factors determining why big rivers occur where they doFundamental concepts of ecology in large riversWays in which large rivers have been changed by manPolitics of big rivers, highlighting their role in past and current conflicts and agreementsThe topics are presented in a highly accessible manner, which makes the book an ideal resource for students across a wide range of subjects and backgrounds.