First International Symposium on Larger Asian Rivers:

Fluvial-Coastal Zone Interactions

Jointly organized by State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resource, Hohai University, Nanjing, and National University of Singapore, Singapore 119260

Time: 9-10 December 2006

Venue: Hohai University, No.1 Xikang Road, Nanjing, China

In the era of rapid environmental changes, large Asian river basins have seen dramatic intervention by humans such as land use/land cover alterations, reservoir and road construction, water diversion, sediment mining and channelisation. Some examples include Huanghe (Yellow River) and Changjiang (Yangtze River), two of the largest rivers in East Asia, which have experienced recent dramatic changes in water and sediment discharge. These changes in water discharge and sediment flux have detrimental effects on estuarine and coastal zones. As a result, many estuarine and coastal areas are suffering from freshwater shortage, seawater intrusion, sediment depletion, coastal erosion, wetland losses and wastewater pollution from industrial, agricultural and domestic activities. An effective means is required to predict how activities upstream impact the coastal zone. Therefore, research linking river basin development with the coastal zone is urgent.

This symposium will provide an opportunity to exchange the latest research results in this field for worldwide academicians, scholars, engineers and decision makers. It will be jointly organized by State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resource and Hydraulic Engineering at Hohai University, Nanjing, located in the lower reach of the Yangtze River, China, and National University of Singapore. The attendees of this symposium will have an opportunity to experience some of the changes of the Yangtze River estuary as a result of the closure of the Three Gorges Dam, the worldwide largest dam.

The themes of this symposium include, but not limited to:

l        Effects of land cover/land use and climatic changes upper stream on water and sediment discharge to the seas

l        Effects of reservoirs construction, water diversion and sediment mining on estuarine and coastal processes

l        Effects of the upstream development on the ecological environment in the estuarine and coastal areas

l        Water pollution in estuarine and coastal areas, salt water intrusion and mitigation, wetland and coastal protection

Invited speakers will provide case studies drawn from large Asian rivers such as Huanghe, Changjiang, Zhujiang (Pearl River), Landchang/Mekong, Irrawaddy and Ganges. 

The registration fees are US$200, covering 3-day accommodation in a 3-star hotel, foods and drinks and local transportation. A special issue in an international refereed journal or an edited book will be published after the symposium.

Organizing committee members:

Dr. Arthur C.T. Chen, Taiwan 

Dr. Chen Xiqing, Nanjing

Dr. Chen Zhongyuan, Shanghai

Dr. Han Jingtai, Beijing

Dr. He Daming, Kunming

Dr. David Higgitt, Singapore

Dr. Lawrence Koe Choon Chiaw, Singapore

Mr. Matti Kummu, Helsinki & Vientiane

Dr. Lu Xi Xi, Singapore

Dr. Anond Shinidove, Bangkok

Dr. Xu Jiong Xin, Beijing

Dr. Wang Yin, Nanjing

If you would like to participate in the symposium, please email your abstract by 31 October 2006 to either Prof. Chen Xiqing or Dr. Lu Xi Xi:

Professor Chen Xiqing，State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resource and Hydraulic Engineering， Hohai University， No.1 Xikang Road， Nanjing, China， Email: 13611642410@vip.163.com, xiqingchen@vip.sina.com，Fax: 86-25-83786606， Phone: 13390787218(Mobil), 025-83787112(o)

Dr. Lu Xi Xi，Department of Geography，National University of Singapore，Singapore 119260，Email: geoluxx@nus.edu.sg，Fax: 65-67773091，Phone: 65-65166135