Having undertaken PhD studies on the River Tweed and practical research on river transfers at Durham University, Nigel Holmes was from 1978 the Nature Conservancy Council's river specialist. He developed several survey and assessment methods that are used nationally and internationally, and formed the River Restoration Centre in 1992. Paul Raven has been a conservation professional since undertaking detailed studies of the River Roding in Essex for his PhD. He was the first national conservation officer for the National Rivers Authority, was head of ecology for the Environment Agency, and continues his work in conservation and freshwaters in particular.

The prose flows easily, poetically in places, with clarity in the technical passages, and all punctuated by copious beautiful colour photos....it really should be on the shelves of everyone who loves our rivers.

• PrefaceIntroductionRivers through the agesThe making and shaping of Britain's riversAssessing the health of riversRiver plantsPlants of river banks, floodplains and valley sidesSmall creatures without backbonesFish, amphibians and reptilesBirds and mammalsA comparison of three rivers: the Meon, Dee and EndrickCaring for our rivers once again

Having undertaken PhD studies on the River Tweed and practical research on river transfers at Durham University, Nigel Holmes was from 1978 the Nature Conservancy Council's river specialist. He developed several survey and assessment methods that are used nationally and internationally, and formed the River Restoration Centre in 1992. Paul Raven has been a conservation professional since undertaking detailed studies of the River Roding in Essex for his PhD. He was the first national conservation officer for the National Rivers Authority, was head of ecology for the Environment Agency, and continues his work in conservation and freshwaters in particular.

The prose flows easily, poetically in places, with clarity in the technical passages, and all punctuated by copious beautiful colour photos....it really should be on the shelves of everyone who loves our rivers.

• PrefaceIntroductionRivers through the agesThe making and shaping of Britain's riversAssessing the health of riversRiver plantsPlants of river banks, floodplains and valley sidesSmall creatures without backbonesFish, amphibians and reptilesBirds and mammalsA comparison of three rivers: the Meon, Dee and EndrickCaring for our rivers once again