HOLISTIC APPROACHES TO HEADWATER MANAGEMENT Perspectives from the Directorate of the European Union

摘要

This paper evaluates the problems of constructing an overview from the wealth of information already existing headwater areas. The philosophy of research in natural sciences provides the main basis for such a synthesis. Headwater research, in particular, has to take into account the different space and time scales originating from biological and environmental processes. The problems of using theoretical assumptions are illustrated. It is difficult to obtain a sound survey of the state of a particular headwater system if the research is not planned from all points of view in advance. Examples of research planned in such a way and its results are presented.