Water education programs

Environmental Management of Rivers and Wetlands

Offered by: Cranfield University
Location: Cranfield, UK
Program type: Short course
Keywords: Wetland, river, environment
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Program location

Program description

Course date: Please enquire

Course overview

Effective, long term management of rivers and their associated wetlands requires a fundamental understanding of hydro-morphological, chemical and biological characteristics. This involves consideration of flow regimes and the nature of channels; water levels and flood inundation; their effect on vegetation and sediment; and the requirements of fish, invertebrates and other fauna. This module focuses on the appropriate assessment, restoration and enhancement of the biological and hydro-morphological status of rivers with a view to meeting the objectives of sustainable management and achieving ‘good ecological status’; a fundamental aim of the EU’s Water Framework Directive (WFD).


Course description

1. River management objectives and ecological status.
2. Policy and legal framework (e.g. WFD).
3. Rivers behaviour; Flow types, determination of channel roughness.
4. Distinction between wetland and wet land. Types of water table control problem.
5. Water budgets.
6. Plant responses to water table change. Plant community mosaics in shallow water table situations.
7. Hydraulic conductivity and drainable porosity.
8. Biological communities in rivers and processes determining ecological status; and flow regime requirements.
9. Flow regimes; Flow duration and frequency; Estimation of low flows; the HOST classification of soils.
10. River restoration and rehabilitation.


On successful completion of this module the delegate will be able to:

1. Explain the natural characteristics of rivers and how they can be influenced by human activity.
2. Understand the linkage between ecological, chemical and hydro-morphological aspects of a river.
3. Discuss the ecological and hydromorphological processes that determine the ecological status of a river.
4. Understand the interactions between wet land water status and plant community structure.
5. Gain knowledge of the links between the watercourse, soil properties, climate and position of the water table.
6. Appreciate the legal framework and directives that underpin river management in UK and EU.
7. Design and present the case for different management options for the protection, restoration, rehabilitation and/or maintenance of a case river and/or wetland to achieve improved ecological status.
8. Communicate findings in a professional manner in written and visual forms within the specified time-frame.


Location
Cranfield University, College Road, Cranfield, Bedfordshire, MK43 0AL

Course fee:
£1400 - Standard. 20% discount for Cranfield alumni, 10% discount for colleagues of alumni
£1340 - Professional/trade association discount
£1280 - Multiple bookings*
*Minimum of five delegates.

Source of text, figures and link: Cranfield University website

Application deadline:

More information (external link to the program)

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