Michael J. Dunbar

TL;DR: In this article, a review of various methods for defining environmental flows is presented, including look-up tables, desk-top analysis, functional analysis, and hydraulic habitat modelling, with a simple categorisation of the methods into four types.

TL;DR: It is timely to assess critically existing biomonitoring approaches to help ensure future programmes operate within a sound scientific framework and cost-effectively, as well as highlighting potentially rewarding new approaches and technologies that could complement existing methods.

TL;DR: It is suggested that whilst the characteristics of any particular macrophyte community reflect the integral effects of a combination of the factors, fundamental importance can be attributed to the role of discharge and velocity in controlling instream macrophytes colonisation, establishment and persistence.

TL;DR: There is a need for a major collaborative programme to examine natural adaptation to climatic variation in freshwater species; identify where existing environmental practice may be insufficient; review the fitness of monitoring networks to detect change; translate existing knowledge into guidance; and implement best practice within existing regulatory frameworks.

TL;DR: An increasing demand for water in southern England due to an expanding population, a possibly reduced flow due to climate change, together with the Water Framework Directive obligation to maintain water quality, will put extreme pressure on river ecosystems, such as the Thames.