Evaluation of land use in conservation areas connected with running water systems

Abstract

The designation of nature conservation areas on running water systems can in future be subjected to a decisio-making process that is objective, value-free and based on parameters (critical levels). The choice of an appropriate decision making procedure makes it possible to perform a consistent and comparative analysis even though many different features from different disciplines need to be investigated. Recent natural phenomena in running water systems have shown that only all-inclusive plans can produce a solution acceptable to everyone involved. In future it will be essential, above all, to work out forward-looking plans for utilization and development which not only maintain the ecological functioning of rivers, but actually improve it.