Rivers are said to be the veins, and streams the capillaries, that
carry freshwater, the scarce lifeblood of the Earth. However,
freshwaters are experiencing species extinctions at a rate faster
than any other ecosystem, and human activities are threatening our
survival through overexploiting and degrading water quality. Rivers
have been channelled, buried underground, dammed, diverted and
polluted; some so over-abstracted that their waters no longer reach
the sea. With abundant rainfall, Irish rivers are less damaged than
many of those in other countries, but most have water quality
problems that can impact the quality of our lives and economic
activities, as shortages of safe water supplies have demonstrated.
This timely book aims to raise awareness of Ireland's fantastic and
often undervalued river resource, and the importance of changing
our behaviour and policies to ensure that we keep it in a healthy
condition for its sustainable benefits, as well as protection of
its biodiversity. The book captures the expertise of 39 Irish
freshwater experts to provide an up-to-date account on the
evolution of Ireland's rivers and their flow characteristics,
biodiversity and how humans have depended on, used and abused our
rivers through time. Irish rivers include types that are rare
elsewhere in Europe and support a wide range of aquatic organisms
and processes. In Ireland's Rivers there are chapters on their
hydrology and on their animal and plant life, on crayfish, fish and
pearl mussels, and on aquatic birds and mammals, describing their
importance and the threats to their survival such as pollution and
loss of habitat. There are case studies of characteristic but
contrasting Irish rivers, the Avonmore, Burrishoole, Araglin and
the mighty Shannon, and information on invasive aquatic species.
Water quality and river management are underlying themes. Ireland's
Rivers concludes with some suggestions for ways that individuals,
households, communities and policy makers can help protect the
health and beauty of our rivers and their wildlife.
General
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