 The
Rivers of Wales. A Natural Resource
of International and Historical
Significance.
D.
Dudley Williams & Catherine
A. Duigan (Editors).
Margraf
Publishers
ISBN: 978-3-8236-1561-3
Price: 144.45 EURO (w/o
VAT 135.00)
2009; XIV + 344pp.; (incl. 8
colour plates), 19 x 26 cm, hardbound.
About the book
Situated on the western margin
of Europe, Wales has been moulded
by the erosional and depositional
power of its fresh waters by virtue
of high rainfall interacting with
extensive regions of bedrock and
post- Ice Age glacial debris.
The result is a still evolving
landscape rich in upland bogs,
springs, mountain streams and
lakes, rivers running through
deeply eroded valleys, and large,
lowland rivers meandering across
wide floodplains into estuaries
and the sea - as Professor Brian
Moss says in his preface to the
book: “When it comes to freshwaters,
the Celts have the best of it.”
Subsequent chapters bring together,
for the first time, the combined
expertise of a group of scientists
whose intimate and collective
knowledge of the Welsh aquatic
landscape is unparalleled. The
authors begin by describing the
knowledge base of these important
habitats, emphasising the structure
and role of their plant, animal,
and microbial communities. Upon
this are built chapters that review
the pioneering role of Welsh river
studies in the development of
running water science and, very
poignantly, assess the high degree
of human alteration of the principality’s
riverine ecosystems. These are
followed by chapters that discuss
the need for further scientific
study, management, conservation,
restoration and education so that
future impacts on Welsh waters
may be understood and minimised.
Throughout the book flows the
underlying theme that there has
been and always will be a close
link between water resources and
the development of Welsh society.
The book is data-rich, very well
illustrated, and contains a bibliography
of over 1,100 references to the
scientific literature.
Example chapter - click here.
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