Working with Rivers: Integrating Geomorphic Principles into Ecological Civilization in China

Emerging approaches to ecological civilization in China are rooted in long-standing sociocultural relations of living and working with nature. Rivers lie at the heart of these relationships. In this Perspective, we outline three fluvial geomorphic principles that can underpin moves towards ecological civilization: (1) a holistic lens that manages the land to manage the river, from source to outlet; (2) a living river ethos that works with rivers as adjusting systems rather than stable/static entities, applying process-based measures at the catchment scale; and (3) an evolutionary (future-focused) perspective applies adaptive management strategies, proactively working towards realistically achievable goals and recognizing inevitable uncertainties associated with emergent traits. Framed within a bioregional approach, we draw on published studies from the Source Zone of the Yellow River to illustrate opportunities and challenges in facilitating moves towards ecological civilization in China. The contribution of this Perspective lies in linking these established principles to existing policy instruments: the River Chief System and the Happy River Index provide helpful stepping stones towards an ecological civilization, and they could incorporate geomorphic indicators of river health more explicitly. These principles may also inform comparable efforts to work with rivers elsewhere in the world.