Nature rehabilitation in regulated rivers : Management and monitoring of floodplainvegetation

Riverine nature rehabilitation and flood defence are closely related and as such important for both river management authorities and nature management authorities. Because of river regulation practices, important prerequisites for riverine nature are lost or at least greatly altered. This introduction familiarises the reader with aspects of lowland river regulation as practised through the ages by an increasing economic and technical able society and its influence on riverine nature and the discharge function of the river. Secondly, a brief account is given of the nature rehabilitation efforts since the 80s and the rising dilemma between nature rehabilitation and flood protection. Finally, the aim and outline of the report are introduced to the reader.