Threats to Springs in a Changing World: Science and Policies for Protection (Geophysical Monograph Series)

Documents the declining quality and quantity of springs around the world and efforts to preserve, protect, and restore them. Anthropogenic causes, including climate change, have been degrading springs around the world. Changes in spring water quality and flow impact human health, cultural values, ecology, and livelihoods. Threats to Springs in a Changing World: Science and Policies for Protection presents a range of international studies illustrating the causes of spring degradation and strategies being used to safeguard springs both now and for the future. Volume highlights include: Examples of threatened springs in diverse hydrogeologic settings Innovative methods and tools for understanding the hydrogeology of spring systems Current policy and governance approaches for alleviating damage to springs Different approaches to management of springs A call for practitioners, policy makers, scientists, and the public to work together The American Geophysical Union promotes discovery in Earth and space science for the benefit of humanity. Its publications disseminate scientific knowledge and provide resources for researchers, students, and professionals. " The audience for this book is researchers, educators, and natural resource managers working to conserve dug pits, trenches, and shallow bores. In doing so, it extends the reach of the book, but readers should also be prepared to encounter discussions of features and environments that differ from their own conceptualization of a spring." — Groundwater , Nov/Dec 2023 "Pollution is another major threat which has left many springs degraded or unusable, with major negative consequences for water supply, human health, environmental and cultural values. In a world with new and emerging pressures created by changing climate and ever-increasing demands to develop water and land for economic activities, the threat of pollution and degradation of springs is likely to intensify in coming years. Carefully developed management plans that are informed by: a high-quality scientific data collection programs; b extensive community consultation and participation and c effective policy and governance mechanisms will be needed to safeguard the immense value of the world's springs and protect their incalculable values. This volume will examine a series of case studies which document the major water quality threats affecting spring systems from around the globe in diverse hydrological, geological and social settings. These case studies examine pollution mechanisms, pathways and processes and explore protection and remediation strategies, based on the authors' data, research and knowledge of these settings. In addition to a technical and scientific focus, many of the contributions focus on the interface between springs and the people and biota who value and depend upon them, recognizing that the huge task of protecting springs is about far more than just scientific and technical considerations"-- Provided by publisher