Fluvial Hydrosystems

1 The fluvial hydrosystem.- 1.1 The background.- 1.2 Traditional approaches.- 1.3 The fluvial hydrosystem approach.- 2 A drainage basin perspective.- 2.1 The context.- 2.2 Source area characteristics.- 2.3 Large basins.- 2.4 Basin history.- 2.5 Biological responses.- 2.6 The fluvial hydrosystem approach.- 3 Hydrological and hydrochemical dynamics.- 3.1 Introduction.- 3.2 Headwater streams.- 3.3 Large rivers.- 3.4 Concluding remarks.- 4 Geomorphology of temperate rivers.- 4.1 Introduction.- 4.2 Fundamental principles.- 4.3 Channel adjustment.- 4.4 The longitudinal dimension.- 4.5 The vertical dimension.- 4.6 The transverse dimension.- 4.7 Valley fills and floodplain sedimentology.- 5 Hydrological and geomorphological structure of hydrostreams.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 The main types of functional sector.- 5.3 Patchwork dynamics.- 6 Primary production and primary producers.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 Adaptive strategies.- 6.3 Distribution and production.- 6.4 Conclusion.- 7 Aquatic invertebrates.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Longitudinal patterns: macroscale.- 7.3 Spatial variation within functional sectors: mesoscale.- 7.4 Spatial variation within each functional unit: microscale.- 7.5 Temporal dynamics.- 7.6 Conclusion.- 8 Fish populations in rivers.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 The longitudinal zonation of watercourses.- 8.3 Use of floodplain biotopes by fish.- 8.4 The impacts of river management schemes.- 9 Interactions between units of the fluvial hydrosystem.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Nature and effect of exchanges and interactions.- 9.3 Topological effects.- 9.4 Connectivity and temporal variations.- 10 Ecological successions.- 10.1 Definitions and concepts.- 10.2 Modes and mechanisms.- 10.3 Stability and different spatial and temporal scales.- 11 Human impacts on fluvial hydrosystems.- 11.1 Catchment scale impacts.- 11.2 Direct impacts on river beds.- 11.3 The impact of dams on fluvial hydrosystems.- 11.4 Complex impacts on hydrosystems.- 12 Fluvial hydrosystems: a management perspective.- 12.1 Background.- 12.2 Rationale for river rehabilitation.- 12.3 The scientific basis.- 12.4 Options for managing fluvial hydrosystems.- 12.5 Catchment management.- 12.6 Conclusion.- References.