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Forests and Floods Drowning in fiction or thriving on facts?

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Ian Calder

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Abstract

There is a tendency to blame all natural disasters on human abuse of the natural environment. This is no more evident than in the case of devastating fl oods and landslides that affect the personal and economic fortunes of millions of people every year. Each disaster is followed by a predictable response. Upland farmers and loggers are blamed for clearing and degrading forests. In many people’s minds the use and abuse of forests in upland watersheds represents the main cause of massive lowland floods. Forests and floods: drowning in fiction or thriving on facts? explores the scientific evidence linking floods and forests. The booklet reveals that much of what is ingrained in people’s minds cannot be substantiated by science and is often little more than myth or is patently incorrect. Such conventional wisdom has often led decision-makers to implement misguided policies that adversely affect the livelihoods of millions of people living in upland areas. Forests and fl oods distinguishes fact from fi ction and recommends alternative approaches for effective watershed and fl oodplain management. This authoritative overview has been produced by a suite of renowned experts, but it should appeal to everyone with an interest in escaping the quagmire of stale and dated paradigms. Ultimately, Forests and fl oods aims to better inform policy-makers, development agencies and the media, and so constructively contribute to the development of sound watershed and river-basin management and improved fl ood-mitigation policies.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Aylward FAOB, Brooks KN, Bryon N, Calder IR, Cambell B, Dugan PC, Durst P, Enters T, Facon T, Ffolliot PF, Gilmour D, Gregersen HM, Hamilton LS, Hofer T, Ilstead U, Ives JD, kaimowitz D, Kiersch B, McKenzie P, Upadhya K

Publication type: Authored Book

Publication status: Published

Series Title: RAP Publication 2005/03

Year: 2005

Number of Pages: 40

Publisher: FAO & CIFOR

Place Published: Indonesia

URL: .ftp://ftp.fao.org/docrep/fao/008/ae929e/ae929e00.pdf

Notes: This Publication is based on the Forest and Flood draft (2004) commissioned from Ian Calder and Bruce Aylward by CIFOR and FAO.

Library holdings: Search Newcastle University Library for this item

ISBN: 9793361646


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