River culture: How socio?ecological linkages to the rhythm of the waters develop, how they are lost, and how they can be regained

The hydrological patterns of all natural water bodies pulse in variable rhythms high and low water. biodiversity these ecosystems is driven by the changing nature environment, allowing different life strategies to coexist, e.g., fast reuse nutrients when aquatic biota flourish recently wetted zones vice versa. Much human culture hydroscapes has developed as an adaptation this rhythm, using flood-fertilised floodplains for agriculture or fisheries, seasonal migration into out floodplain (transhumance). Technological advances have allowed humans control, change, even eliminate rhythm building dams, dikes, canals. Consequently, important ecosystem functions fail, often resulting failure life-support systems but also decline cultural activities. I argue that loss socio-cultural connectivity rivers other hydrosystems occurs four phases: (i) direct relationships (e.g., uses waterborne resources), (ii) indirect (cultural activities are connected theses uses), (iii) turning away from river/hydrosystem (often caused decreased quality), (iv) total oblivion (caused removal burial hydrosystem). Reintegrating more riverine would not mean step back time rather find a combination revised traditional ecological knowledge, learning nature, values context use resources, innovations. This paper draws on social-environmental aspects River Culture Concept – which attempts reintegrate respect pulsing modern, sustainable management diverse case studies. Examples presented how approaches may contribute revitalising socio-ecological linkages waters.