Rivers

The prose flows easily, poetically in places, with clarity in the technical passages, and all punctuated by copious beautiful colour photos….it really should be on the shelves of everyone who loves our rivers. – Simon Bates * BES Bulletin *If you have any interest in current natural history or conservation, this beautifully illustrated volume is a must. – Brett Westwood * BBC Wildlife *This is the third volume in a new series which I would urge readers to get as this could be the start of the most important series of wildlife books to come out for many years … this is as good an account as I can remember reading on this vexed subject. – Ray Collier * Highland News *Infinitely both readable and comprehensive. The style is light and accessible but the coverage is wide …the description here of the hydrology of rivers and its relation to the underlying geology is the best that I have ever read…The description of the plants and animals associated with rivers is readable, comprehensive and excellent. – Ann Powell * Freshwater Reviews *

Having undertaken PhD studies on the River Tweed and practical research on river transfers at Durham University, Nigel Holmes was from 1978 the Nature Conservancy Council’s river specialist. He developed several survey and assessment methods that are used nationally and internationally, and formed the River Restoration Centre in 1992.

Paul Raven has been a conservation professional since undertaking detailed studies of the River Roding in Essex for his PhD. He was the first national conservation officer for the National Rivers Authority, was head of ecology for the Environment Agency, and continues his work in conservation and freshwaters in particular.