Watershed Restoration: Principles and Practices. Jack E. Williams, C. A. Wood, and
M. P. Dombeck, eds. American Fisheries Society, 5410 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 110,
Bethesda, Maryland 20814-2199. Paperback, 561 pages. Cost??

Every now and then a book comes along that is truly helpful to those applied ecologists
and restoration biologists that are involved in developing and implementing habitat
restoration projects "on-the-ground." "Watershed Restoration: Principles and
Practices" is such a book. The 28 chapters (each authored independently) consistently
emphasize an ecosystem approach at various spatial scales to aquatic restoration
projects. The book is arranged into 5 major parts: PRINCIPLES, BUILDING
PARTNERSHIPS, KEY PRACTICES, CASE STUDIES, and VISION FOR THE
FUTURE. The chapters in "PRINCIPLES" are excellent, especially "Conceptual Roles
of Biological Integrity and Diversity" (P. L. Angermeier), "Temporal and Spatial Scales"
(R. R. Ziemer), and "Monitoring and Adaptive Management" (J. L. Kershner). The
Chapter entitled "What Works, What Doesn't, and Why" (J. McGurrin and H. Forsgren,
Part 5, A Vision For The Future) is also an excellent summary of many of the concepts
presented in the book.

Perhaps what sets this book apart and makes it so potentially useful to practicing
restoration biologists are the chapters on partnerships and the variety of case studies
from across the United States. The strategies and various steps of developing
partnerships and achieving consensus (e.g., seven characteristics of successful
partnerships; "the most important factor in successful watershed restoration is people"),
setting goals and priorities (e.g., basic goals of aquatic restorations; 10 practical steps
for developing community-based restoration projects), evaluating success (e.g., various
types and approaches to monitoring), and adaptive management are clearly presented
in real life projects and situations. Someone that had never developed a watershed
restoration project or plan could take the information found in this book and develop an
ecologically sound and comprehensive action plan. Through the case studies there are
numerous examples of specific types of habitat restoration, improvement, and
management activities specific to aquatic ecosystems that are not only doable, but
have actually been carried out (e.g., multi-species riparian buffer concept, protection of
fish spawning areas, removal of barriers to fish passage, etc.). In many cases,
technical data have been obtained to support the use of the various practices that have
been applied. There is also a very useable example of a "Project Ranking Form For
Aquatic Projects." If you are interested in aquatic habitat restoration or habitat
restoration in general, this book is a must for your library.

Dr. Ronnie J. Haynes, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Regional Coordinator - Partners
for Fish and Wildlife, Southeast Region, Atlanta, GA