Ripisylves et forêts alluviales

Overview & Synopsis

Riparian and floodplain forests are tree-covered units that grow along the banks of rivers and streams. Due to climate change, increasing urbanisation, intensive agriculture, invasive alien species, and the damming and embankment of rivers, these forests are often degraded or have disappeared. However, they perform major socio-ecological functions related to water quality, flood risk reduction, biodiversity preservation, low water level support, nature tourism, etc. They are therefore a valuable element in the resilience of territories in the face of global changes. The target audience of this book includes anyone interested in these environments: students, scientists, institutions in charge of river and biodiversity management, foresters, consulting firms, environmental NGOs and decision-makers. It provides basic knowledge on how riparian forests and floodplain forests function, enriched by recent scientific advances. It also presents various useful tools and methods for characterising and monitoring them. Finally, numerous concrete cases of management and restoration are presented.