Author(s): Yixin Cao; Karl Matthias Wantzen
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: In the Anthropocene epoch, rivers face unprecedented challenges, with the degradation of freshwater ecosystems exacerbated by inconsistent and ineffective management. In Europe, the European Union directives establish standards and objectives to achieve good conditions for all water bodies and support river basin organizations. Meanwhile, China's river ecosystems have faced degradation due to four decades of rapid economic growth and the river management scheme was highly fragmented. This study presents a comparative assessment of river management in France and China, exploring their respective legislative actions, water quality standards, restoration efforts, management structures, and public participation. Despite their commitment to conserving river ecosystems, as demonstrated by France's long-standing basin-level laws and China's targeted recent legislation, their approaches differ. Specifically, we compare France’s watershed governance with stakeholder integration to China’s top-down, sector-specific river management approach, with an analysis of the new policy of River Chief System (RCS).
Year: 2024