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| Erosion and sediment dynamics from catchment to coast (Di Silvio & Basson) |
| Author: 系统管理员Source: Updated: 2008-08-19 |
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UNESCO INTERNATIONAL HYDROLOGICAL PROGRAMME Erosion and sediment dynamics from catchment to coast Initiated by the I.S.I. Steering Committee (International Sedimentation Initiative) at its meeting in March 2004 1 A Northern Perspective by Professor Giampaolo Di Silvio, 2 A Southern Perspective by Professor Gerrit Basson,
Erosion and sediment dynamics from catchment to coast Preface[1] UNESCO’s International Hydrological Programme IHP has in 2002 launched the International Sediment Initiative (ISI), taking into consideration that sediment production and transport processes are not sufficiently understood for practical uses in sediment management. Since information on ongoing research is an important support to sediment management, and bearing in mind the unequal level of scientific knowledge about various aspects of erosion and sediment phenomena at the global scale, a major mission of the ISI is to review erosion and sedimentation related research. The two papers below were prepared in conformity with this important task of the ISI, following the decision of the ISI Steering Committee on its session in March 2004. The subject of both papers is the modeling and prediction of sediment processes in watersheds and watercourses, which is essential for the development of sediment management policies and strategies in the respective regions. Since the tasks of sediment management differ from region to region, it is reasonable to discuss in separate reviews the problems and methods that prevail in one or another region. This why the two papers published below are for convenience named “a Northern perspective” (by Professor Giampaolo DiSilvio from the University of Padua, Italy), and “a Southern perspective” (by Professor Gerrit Basson, from the University of The differences between the “northern” and the “southern” perspectives indicate the different kinds of problems that sediment research has to deal with in different climatic and socio-economic conditions. Thus, the “northern” perspective essentially deals with problems encountered in Europe and Northern America, such as mobility of river sediments and their deposition in reservoirs and coastal zones, whereas the “southern” one puts the emphasis on the origin and mobility of the sediments in semi-arid zones, and their impacts on land and water resources. However, it should be underlined that the concepts and methods described in the papers of either perspective can be applied also to other regions, as appropriate. Generally, in any region the most efficient methods of modeling would depend upon the nature of the problems that sediment management has to resolve in the concrete case. Accordingly, in subsequent papers on the same subject other aspects of erosion and sediment transport might also be examined, relevant to typical management situations that may occur in different geographical and socio-economic settings. It should be underlined that in line with its general strategy, ISI is open to collaboration with international, regional, or national associations and institutions, involved in the promotion of sustainable sediment management policies. ISI focuses on international information exchange about sediment related matters, ensuring access to policy makers in member states, and encouraging sediment research in interested regions and states. The publication of the two papers on erosion and sediment dynamics should among others serve this purpose, too. Readers are thus invited to react and contribute by their comments and suggestions to the follow-up of these two reports. Erosion and sediment dynamics from catchment to coast Professor Giampaolo Di Silvio A Northern Perspective Professor Gerrit BASSON A Southern Perspective |
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