Fifty years ago, riparian habitats were not recognized for their extensive and critical contributions to wildlife and the ecosystem function of watersheds. This changed as riparian values were identified and documented, and the science of riparian ecology developed steadily. Papers in this volume range from the more mesic northwestern United States to the arid Southwest and Mexico. More than two dozen authors-most with decades of experience-review the origins of riparian science in the western United States, document what is currently known about riparian ecosystems, and project future needs. Topics are widespread and include: interactions with fire, climate change, and declining water; impacts from exotic species; unintended consequences of biological control; the role of small mammals; watershed response to beavers; watershed and riparian changes; changes below large dams; water birds of the Colorado River Delta; and terrestrial vertebrates of mesquite bosques.

This annotated bibliography contains 1,905 citations from professional journals, symposia, workshops, proceedings, technical reports, and other sources. The intent of this compilation was to: (1) assemble, to the extent possible, all available and accessible publications relating to riparian management within a single source or document; (2) provide managers, field biologists, researchers, and others, a point of access for locating scientific literature relevent to their specific interest; and (3) provide, under one cover, a comprehensive collection of annotated publications that could dessiminate basic information relative to the status of our knowledge.

Researchers and managers of regulated river systems will find this volume useful in acquiring information for deciding an integrated management plan for regulated river operations. Rather than the ecological theory of impacts of flow regulation, emphasis has been placed on methods to predict water quality and habitat alterations, as well as techniques to mitigate impacts from various operational scenarios. Although most chapters refer to impacts of riverine impoundments, these alternatives apply to any regulated situation in which changes in water quality or flow pattern occur. The predictive modeling techniques are explained primarily from a theoretical background. However, extensive bibliographies can guide the uninitiated to specific texts and software. Where controversial techniques have been presented, alternate methods are also described. Major topic areas include water quality problems, channel modification and management, ecological modeling and management, as well as a section on perspectives for ecological management and special problems in developing nations.