G. Mathias Kondolf ~ Publications

Tools in Fluvial Geomorphology Edited by G.Matt Kondolf and Hervé Piégay Published by John Wiley & Sons, Chichester 2003 "If your only tool is a hammer, every problem looks like a nail."

Webster's dictionary defines a tool as anything used for accomplishing a task or purpose. By a tool we refer comprehensively to techniques, methods, and concepts:  Techniques are discrete actions that yield measurements, observations, or analyses.  Methods involves an approach, a set of steps taken to solve a problem, and often including more than one technique.  Concepts are also tools, because they provide the framework within which problems are approached and techniques deployed.

Fluvial geomorphology is a discipline of synthesis, with roots in geology, geography, and river engineering, and which draws upon fields such as hydrology, chemistry, physics, ecology, human and natural history.  As a result of its multiple roots and extensive interactions with other disciplines, the set of tools used in fluvial geomorphology is unusually rich and diverse.   However, by surveying the recent literature, we find that most studies have employed only a narrow range of tools, usually those tools traditionally used in the investigators' home discipline.  This book aims to make a broader range of tools available to all by summarizing the advantages and disadvantages of various tools, and providing a perspective and framework within which the scientist, practitioner, or manager can select the tools most appropriate to answer the questions posed. Each chapter is written by leading scientists in the specific field from the perspective of what an investigator or manager would need to know about each tool to intelligently develop an approach to solving a given problem.

“Tools in Fluvial Geomorphology is…more than a book on fluvial techniques…  A key emphasis throughout is to link the appropriate tool to the research problem at hand and to let the research question drive the selection of tools.  The book endeavors to provide guidance to managers and scientists, especially those in allied fields, for selecting those tools.  Accordingly, the chapters develop the contexts for  the methods and techniques, describe and contrast specific procedures, and provide case studies to illustrate the application of tools.

“The book fills an important niche in the literature of fluvial geomorphology. Despite the $150 price tag, fluvial geomorphologists and nongeomorphologists alike will find the volume to be a valuable resource.  The text is strong and consistently well-written throughout.   Descriptions and explanations are clear, and the progression through the chapters almost seamless”

- Review from Annals of the Association of American Geographers 2005. Click here to download the full review. (.pdf)

To order, visit the publisher's website or google "tools in fluvial geomorphology".

CONTENTS

II - THE TEMPORAL FRAMEWORK: DATING AND ASSESSING GEOMORPHOLOGICAL TRENDS
Chapter 2 - Surficial Geologic Tools in Fluvial Geomorphology (Robb Jacobson, US Geological Survey, Columbia, Missouri; Jim O’Connor, US Geological Survey; Takashi Oguchi, Center for Spatial Information Science, University of Tokyo)
Chapter 3 - Archeology and Human Artifacts (Tony Brown, University of Exeter; Francois Petit, University of Liege; Allen James, University of South Carolina)
Chapter 4 - Using historical data (Angela Gurnell, King’s College, London; Geoff. Petts, University of Birmingham; Jean-Luc Peiry, University of Clermont Ferrand)

III - THE SPATIAL FRAMEWORK : EMPHASIZING SPATIAL STRUCTURE AND NESTED CHARACTER OF FLUVIAL FORMS
Chapter 5 - Systems approach in fluvial geomorphology (Hervé Piégay, CNRS, UMR 5600, Lyon; Stan Schumm, Colorado State University)
Chapter 6 - Analysis of aerial photography and other remotely sensed data (David Gilvear, University of Stirling, and Rob Bryant, University of Sheffield, UK)
Chapter 7 - Classification of channels, uses and limitations (Matt Kondolf, University of California; David Montgomery, University of Washington; Hervé Piégay, CNRS, UMR 5600, Lyon and Laurent Schmitt, University of Lyon 2 - UMR 5600)
Chapter 8 - Modelling catchment processes (Peter Downs, Stillwater Sciences, Berkeley and Gary Priestnall, University of Nottingham)

IV - CHEMICAL, PHYSICAL AND BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE : DATING, EMPHASIZING SPATIAL STRUCTURE AND FLUVIAL FORMS
Chapter 9 - Radiogenic and Isotopic Methods for the Direct Dating and Tracing of Fluvial Sediments (Stephen Stokes, University of Oxford, UK; Des Walling, University of Exeter, UK)
Chapter 10 - Vegetation as a tool in the interpretation of fluvial geomorphic processes and landforms in humid temperate areas (Cliff Hupp, US Geological Survey, Reston; Gudrun Bornette, CNRS, UMR 5023, Lyon)

V - ANALYSIS OF PROCESSES AND FORMS: WATER AND SEDIMENT INTERACTIONS
Chapter 11 - Channel form measurement and analysis (Andrew Simon, US Geological Survey; J. Castro, US Fish and Wildlife Service)
Chapter 12 - Flow measurement and characterization (Peter Whiting, Case Western Reserve University)
Chapter 13 - Bed sediment measurement (Matt Kondolf, University of California; M. Gordon Wolman, Johns Hopkins University; Tom Lisle, US forest Service Redwood Sciences Laboratory)
Chapter 14 - Use of Tracers in fluvial geomorphology (Marwan Hassan, University of British Columbia, Vancouver ; Peter Ergenzinger, Frei University, Berlin)
Chapter 15 - Sediment transport (Murray Hicks, NIWA, New Zealand; Basil Gomez, Indiana State University)
Chapter 16 - Sediment budgets as an organizing framework in fluvial geomorphology (Leslie Reid, US Forest Service Redwood Sciences Lab; Tom Dunne, University of California, Santa Barbara)

VI - DISCRIMINATING, SIMULATING AND MODELING PROCESSES AND TRENDS
Chapter 17 - Models in fluvial geomorphology (Stephen E. Darby University of Southampton, and Marco J. Van de Wiel, University of Wales, Aberystwyth)
Chapter 18 - Flow and Sediment-Transport Modeling (Jon M. Nelson, Jim P. Bennett, Steve M. Wiele, US Geological Survey, Lakewood, Colorado)
Chapter 19; Numerical modeling of alluvial landforms (James Pizzuto, University of Delaware)
Chapter 20 - Statistical analysis in fluvial geomorphology (Pierre Clément, University of Lyon 2-UMR 5600; Hervé Piégay, CNRS, UMR 5600, Lyon)

VII - CONCLUSION : APPLYING THE TOOLS
Chapter 21 - Integrating geomorphological tools in ecological and management studies (Matt Kondolf, University of California; Herve Piégay, CNRS, UMR 5600, Lyon; David Sear, University of Southampton)