Ecological Engineering in rivers: using up the left-overs or acting for an integrated ecosystem management?

Abstract

Relying on research works on the dynamics of the freshwater systems and the physical factors controlling the aquatic habitats, this paper overviews the free operating principles of the rivers and their ecological balance. Then we are faced with the problem of the scales of intervention as regards ecological engineering. Aren't the local actions likely to be useless - even misleading - if they are disconnected from a global approach of the ecosystem? If the general principles to avoid these pitfalls are well known and reminded by eminent scientists, a lot of research developments should be carried out to integrate the various space and time scales.