Ecohydrology of Kerala

Book excerpt: Ecohydrology of Kerala: River Catchments and Coastal Backwaters presents 20 years of research to provide suggestions for sustainable management solutions for issues surrounding the urbanization of the rivers of Kerala. This helps identify major issues and develop management strategies. Themes explored include biogeochemistry of rivers/estuarine systems, productivity and trophic status, biology: fauna and flora, biodiversity, threats and conservation, invasive species and impact on riverine ecology, landscape/land use/land cover change in the catchment, socioeconomic status of catchment population, economic and livelihood activities along the river courses/estuaries (river and estuarine tourism, sand extraction, fisheries), pollution monitoring and assessment, impacts of climate change, and more. This book can be used as a tool in the holistic management of resources, and to devise proper mitigation measures. The content of the book is a model for other tropical regions and countries with rapidly developing economies and populations - Presents spatial maps and easy to follow figures in each chapter, aiding in a foundational understanding of the topic - Provides a fully comprehensive overview, including biogeochemistry, ecology, productivity, livelihood, socioeconomic aspects, and governance of the rivers - Includes specific cases of ecohydrology in the river basin, especially from rivers and coastal lakes of Kerala