Continental Atlantic Rivers: The Meuse, Loire and Adour-Garonne Basins
Résumé
This chapter discusses the historical perspective, geography, climate, hydrology, biodiversity of the continental Atlantic rivers, the Meuse, Loire and Adour-Garonne. Continental Atlantic rivers drain the western front of Europe which is delineated by the Atlantic Ocean in the west, the English Channel and Hercynian massifs of the Ardennes in the north and the eastern edge of the Central massif and Pyrénées mountains in the south. This chapter is dedicated to three of the largest rivers in the area (Loire, Garonne and Meuse Rivers) and the smaller Adour and Charente Rivers. The chapter also discusses the human impact on the biodiversity of these rivers and the conservation and management strategies that are in place.