This book offers a transformative framework for understanding and revitalizing the health of river ecosystems, integrating cutting-edge research with actionable solutions. By combining theoretical insights with real-world case studies from diverse regions—including China’s northern and southern cities, and international comparisons—it provides a holistic approach to diagnosing ecological degradation and guiding sustainable management. Readers discover innovative methods such as entropy-weighted set pair analysis, ecological flow assessment tools, and biodiversity restoration strategies, alongside practical tools like comprehensive evaluation indices and policy frameworks. Special features include detailed illustrations of river health indicators, flowcharts for systematic analysis, and policy recommendations tailored to diverse contexts. The book’s strength lies in its ability to bridge disciplinary gaps, offering a unified vision that merges ecological integrity with socio-economic needs. Whether you are a researcher seeking evidence-based methodologies, a policymaker designing river restoration programs, or a practitioner implementing conservation projects, this book equips you with the knowledge to drive impactful change. Its global perspective and adaptable tools make it an invaluable resource for advancing river health worldwide. It’s a valuable reference for environmental scientists, urban planners, policymakers, conservationists, and students focused on sustainable water resource management and ecological restoration.

Chunhui Li is, Professor and, Vice Dean of key laboratory for water and sediment sciences, Ministry of Education School of environment, Beijing Normal University, doctoral supervisor, major researches include water resources assessment and management, agricultural water saving and integrated watershed management, etc.. In recent years, he hosted and participated in more than 40 research projects, and published more than 250 journal articles, conference papers and 15 books.