This module examines the concepts and application of integrated river basin management (IRBM) principles as the basis for developing sustainable approaches to development of water resources. Attempting to analyse the interactions between water, people and the planning infrastructures in river basins, the module covers the following themes: understanding the hydrological characteristics of river basin systems, human impacts and interference in land-water interactions; managing river basins in the developed and developing world; introducing new tools and approaches - integration of land-use and water planning; cross-sectoral water co-operation; environmental sustainability and ecological management of flow regimes and riparian habitats; water as an economic commodity the implications of economic valuation of water resources; institutional innovation - stakeholder participation and water governance in river basins; social equity - the role of freshwater ecosystems in sustainable livelihoods, health and food security.
These themes are explored through a series of case studies drawing upon river basin development and planning in the developed and developing world e.g. the Water Framework Directive and river basin planning in the UK; European river basins - the Ebro, Danube Loire, Rhine river basins; developing world: the river basins of the Mekong, La Plata, the Nile amongst others.
A local river basin is also the basis of a field study as an example of innovation in river basin management practices.

The module will be delivered through a combination of:
(a) 10 weekly 1-hour lectures;
(b) 5 fortnightly 1-hour workshop sessions, focusing on the examination of key concepts and ideas. These involve the analysis and interpretation of text and/or audio-visual materials;
(c) a 1 day (5 hours) field day visit will be undertaken to study water management in the Sow river basin near Stafford
(d) independent learning through (i) individual directed reading provided by the workshop sessions (ii) directed reading provided through the lecture programme

- 1 x 2hr examination ( a combination of short questions section and one essay question) [50%] (LO 1- 4)

- Coursework: 1 workshop folder comprising of 5 work-sheets each associated with a water issue - equivalent to 1500 words [50%] (LO 1, 2, 3, 5)

Additional Assessment Details:
The examination will include some short answer questions based on the River Sow (Stafford) field visit case study, addressing issues of innovative water resource management approaches.

The coursework element involves a series of workshop sessions examining a series of water issues. The worksheets will involve a series of questions answered by the critical analysis of audio-visual material and documents.

Formative Assessment:
The five workshop sessions will also provide further learning resources which will allow students to further investigate the topics, evaluate their understanding of the module materials and prepare for their summative examination.

Access to appropriate and adequate University Library resources, Faculty of Sciences Learning Resource Centre, Internet & Email facilities; adequate audio-visual facilities and resources to ensure that the study day visits are provided as part of the learning programme of the module.

None

Calder, Ian (2005) The Blue Revolution. Integrated Land and water resources management (2nd. Edition), Earthscan, London
DEFRA (2004) Making Space for Water Developing a new Government Strategy for flood and coastal erosion risk management in England?, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK, July 2004. .
Downs, I. and Gregory, K. (2004) River Channel Management. Hodder, London
Falkenmark, Malin and Rockstrom, Johan (2004) Balancing Water for Humans and Nature Earthscan, London
Figueres, C, Rockstrom . J & Tortajada C. (2003) Rethinking Water Management. Earthscan, London
Jones, T. et al (2006) Applying the principles of integrated water resource and river basin management ? an introduction. WWF International
Molden David (ed) (2007) Water for Food, Water for Life. Earthscan, London
Newson, M., (1998) Land, water and development. (2nd Edition). Routledge, London
Wilby, R.L., (1997) Contemporary Hydrology. Towards holistic environmental science. Wiley, London
WWF (2005). `Freshwater and Poverty Reduction: Serving People, Saving Nature?: an economic analysis of the livelihoods impacts of freshwater conservation initiatives?, WWF International.
WWF (2002). `Tackling Poverty and Promoting Sustainable Development: key lessons for integrated river basin management?, WWF Discussion Paper.