BOOK REVIEW by www.watermagazine.com
Achieving Sustainable Freshwater Systems
A Web of Interconnections
This book reviews present and past knowledge about the assessment and maintenance of sustainable freshwater systems, and it brings together this knowledge in a form that is useful for both scientific and management purposes. The book is mainly about wetlands in the USA, though it also explores related watersheds, and contains some case studies from other parts of the world. It is copyright 2003 Island Press. The book contains a collection of carefully interwoven articles, written from a range of perspectives (more than 20 authors contributed their work), carefully edited into an integrated whole, by Marjorie M. Holland, Elizabeth R. Blood and Lawrence R. Shaffer.
In the preface it is noted "...In writing this book, our objectives are (1) to be visionary yet practical; (2) to be applicable to both developed and developing countries; (3) to be understandable to scientifically and technically oriented individuals but also to policy-makers and managers; and (4) to be useful in as many environmental settings as possible.."
In my view these objectives are met.
The book is written around three major themes. The first provides reader with an understanding of the links between human infrastructure and natural areas that foster sustainable freshwater systems. The second theme urges readers to adopt holistic approaches when developing solutions to achieve sustainable freshwater systems. And the third theme urges readers to promote action through networks rather than through individual actions. This theme expands on the need for partnership approaches and collaborations - for example - between academia and nongovernment organisations, or between industry and government.
Overall the book is intended to provide sufficient information to allow interested poeple to acquire a broad general knowledge of the issues leading to the current wetland/freshwater situation and to provide the steps needed to achieve and maintain sustainable freshwater wetlands and water resources. I would comment that the first of these intentions is well met, while the last is substantially met. It is a hard ask to actually achieve sustainability in a world where there is no agreed definition of the word and where there is no consensus on how to meet human needs and the needs of all of the world's freshwater ecosystems.
The book is organised under the following headings:
- PART I FRESHWATER SYSTEMS FROM PAST TO PRESENT - The chapters in this section illustrate the complex and far-reaching problems concerning water quality that have surfaced within the past two decades. These issues have not been properly addressed by scientists and policy-makers. Improved screening methods, ecological action plans, and chemical awareness are essential elements in preserving our freshwater ecosystems.;
- PART II RECENT SCIENTIFIC PERSPECTIVES IN WATER AND WETLANDS - Scientists have recently recognised that the factors possibly having the greatest effect on maintaining the health of the freshwater system are occurring at molecular or biochecmial scales. Naturally occurring organic compounds exuded from plants, resulting from breakdown of leaves, hormones, and toxins released by organisms, and organic films formed by microbes, are critically important in controlling biological, checmical, geological, and physical processes in freshwater systems. Wetlands are incredibly important ecosystems that remain relatively underexplored from the standpoints of biodiversity and ecology.;
- PART III FRESHWATER MANAGEMENT - The chapters in this section explore agriculture, and wetland restoration case studies. These include the restoration of forested wetland ecosystems. The impact of a variety of non-point sources from agriculture are explored.;
- PART IV CAN WE ACHIEVE SUSTAINABLE FRESHWATER SYSTEMS IN THE FUTURE? - In these chapters the authors propose that the philosophy and strategy of economic growth as the means to improve societal well being is often in conflict with the principles of stewardship, conservation, equity, coorperation, and balance needed for long term sustainability of freshwater resources. This part of the book explores the ways culture influences our ability to achieve sustainability. Successful freshwater management case studies are presented. This section ends with a look at conflict across regional and national boundaries.
In the concluding sections of the book, which I found a ranged usefully from the science to the politics of freshwater management, the writers emphasise the need for leadership to achieve sustainability: "...effective leadership is fundamental... we call attention to what we call the 5 "E"s of successful leadership: (1) empathy - issues, perspectives and values are understood; (2) education - inlcuding clear and effective dialog among all parties; (3) empower - suggesting each individual share knowledge, take advantage of opportunities, and participate in all ways possible; (4) enable - inclusion in initiatives, governance, partnertrships, and finances; and (5) equity - suggesting collaboration, cooperation and consensus."
A very useful text for policy-makers and managers concerned with freshwater systems, and also for scientists and researchers considering the development of research programs investigating freshwater systems where they work and live.
Achieving Sustainable Freshwater Systems is 350 pages long and contains a comprehensive index, list of reviewers, and information about contributors. It was published in 2003. The isbn is 1-55963-928-8 (hardcover) 1-55963-929-6 (paperback). It was published by: Island Press, 1718 Connecticut Ave., NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20009, USA. (Island Press: Is the only non profit organisation in the USA whose principal purpose is the publication of books on environmental issues and natural resource management.)
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