Leading water experts Sandra Postel and Brian Richter explain why restoring and preserving more natural river flows are key to sustaining freshwater biodiversity and healthy river systems, and describe innovative policies, scientific approaches, and management reforms for achieving those goals. They offer case studies of river management from the United States (the San Pedro, Green, and Missouri), Australia (the Brisbane), and South Africa (the Sabie), along with numerous examples of new and innovative policy approaches that are being implemented in those and other countries.
Sandra Postel is director of the Global Water Policy Project in Amherst, Massachusetts. She is author of the books Pillar of Sand and Last Oasis, and of the essay "Troubled Waters," selected for the 2001 edition of Best American Science and Nature Writing. In 2002, she was named one of the "Scientific American 50," by Scientific American magazine, a new award recognizing contributions to science and technology. Brian Richter is director of the Freshwater Initiative of The Nature Conservancy and is based in Charlottesville, Virginia. In his 16 years with the Conservancy he has provided technical support and strategic advice to more than 80 river conservation projects around the world.