- Email: [email protected]
Practical conservation: Water and wetlands
432
Book
information sources, there is little in the way of critique about their quality. Considering the modest price it is a useful manual for the uninitiated, but it could hardly be regarded as very informative for experienced IT people. In fact, I would have to admit to learning very little new from reading it. While the author does attempt to distinguish between the rhetoric and reality associated with teleworking, my overall impression of his perspective is not one which would reduce my scepticism about the many reasons which tend to give IT-related activities a bad name. If a revolution in communications is supposed to be taking place, Bibby suggests that a large number of people need to be told about it. He notes that teleshopping ‘may grow’ by the end of the decade, and that the prediction about email taking over from ‘snail-mail’ was premature, if not completely wrong. Among the problems with e-mail and on-line information databases is the difficulty of finding out what is available. Another major problem is the lack of compatibility between different e-mail services and between computer systems. Noting that ideas can sometimes run ahead of reality, he refers to the claims of consultants that there ‘could’ be more than 7 million teleworkers in Britain, or that 50% of all employees ‘could’ be teleworking. In reality the number is probably lower than 80,000. While there is nothing new about homeworkers and new technologies, historical precedents show that they have been among the lowest-paid workers. Recent surveys of teleworkers confirm this pattern and indicate that they also suffer from fewer work benefits. Bibby suggests that teleworking is a way for companies to distinguish between ‘core’ and ‘peripheral’ (or disposable) staff. It can therefore give rise to a dual economy with large firms subcontracting work to small peripheral companies, who end up taking on many of the associated risks. The development of offshore data processing units in regions of lower labour costs is one example of this. While Bibby’s manual provides many useful indications for those who carry out a good deal of their work at home, irrespective of the technology they employ, he highlights many of the possible negative dimensions which could accompany a shift from the more traditional office. In particular he warns about the effects of isolation on friendships and on being out of touch with office politics. He feels that ‘out of sight, out of mind’ might not be the best policy for ensuring promotion, and that a telephone conversation-not to mention electronic mail - are poor substitutes for face-to-face meetings. Emphasising that this is a human rather than a technological issue, he warns that some may suffer a loss of status, because nobody is concerned with what the teleworker is doing or with how they are getting on. While the dream of a rural-based office may appeal to many, they would need to consider the reality of perhaps having to travel 10 miles for a or waiting a considerable time to get the newspaper, computer repaired. Although the overall perspective on developments in the field of information technology is a little disappointing in this book, it will serve a useful purpose in forcing potential teleworkers to think twice about the prospects in store for them.
SEAMUS GRIMES Department of Geography, University College Galway
Reviews Practical Conservation: Water and Wetlands, P. Furniss and A. Lane, 1992, The Open University in association with the Nature Conservancy Council, Hodder and Stoughton, London, f7.99
Water and Wetlands is one of six habitat modules, part of a wider Open University Course entitled ‘Practical Conservation’ and, as such, faces a problem. The book is clearly embedded in the structure of that wider course, with attendant foundation modules, television and videos. Can it be used by itself as a text book by other potential readers? My answer would be a resounding yes. In its 130 clear and accessible pages this text would make a fine reference for any student seeking an introduction to freshwater conservation management. More than that, for the very low price I would even consider recommending students to actually buy a copy. The book divides essentially into four areas: a simple introduction to freshwater ecology; habitat assessment (as landscape, biological and economic resources); maintaining, improving and creating habitats; finally how to plan and monitor work. Throughout the book two case studies, a Scottish Borders farm with extensive wetlands and part of the River Ouse (Buckingham) facing engineering work, are developed so that the reader can immediately see the lessons of each chapter in action. The case studies unfold nicely. I ended up with a very distinct impression of the sites, despite the absence of actual photographs. There is also some encouragement to try out the techniques on a site known to the reader. Terminology is effectively explained, with a supporting glossary and the margin subheadings make for easy digestion. Useful diagrams, tables and maps are found throughout. All this makes for an inviting read. There are plenty of existing heavy texts on similar themes, but such books, which students pick up and promptly put down appalled at the desert of dense text, are not much use. Water and Wetlands is quite the opposite, reflecting the Open University’s experience and outlook. Occasionally there are references to other sections of the Open University course, or the video that accompanies the book, but these are not too disruptive and, if anything, make me want to see more of their work. The book can certainly be used as a stand-alone text. The general level is pitched at basic undergraduate work, thoroughly covering many ideas and techniques but well referenced enough to allow readers to find more detail if required. Using the techniques and models suggested, simple assessments of landscape, biological and economic resources can be made. For full descriptive/prescriptive plans more technical sources would have to be consulted both for ecological and economic detail, but the foundations are well laid. Perhaps this is an instance where the wider Open University course structure would fill in gaps, certainly for a more thorough management plan design. It is good to see a text aimed at practical management intentionally covering scenery, ecology and economic approaches together. There is a clear integration of environmental management needs. The need to follow up and monitor work is an important concluding chapter. Some more specific examples of actual costs would have been a nice insight, especially for the two case studies. There are occasional comments that raise an eyebrow, but that is probably a crusty old academic reaction and nitpicking at what is essentially a smoothly written compendium. The basic ecology is a bit brevitous. Students might
Book be left uncertain about how many factors are measured and with some alarming ideas about ecosystems (‘more complex systems can withstand disturbance better than simple ones’ . .). Sometimes the practical management suggestions are also optimistic, raising the spectre of the pond with everything from a kingfisher cliff to a perfect suite of hydroseres. Elsewhere, though, excellent detail is incorporated, such as algal control methods, individual macrophyte plant needs and some salutary comments on just how little mud even the most enthusiastic volunteers can dig out. If all the other parts of the Open University Practical Conservation course are as crisp and thorough as this freshwater topic then it must be a smart foundation. For other potential users this text will also stand in isolation as a good introductory text. Thorough, well written and keeping its practical purpose clearly in focus, this book is an ideal link between the existing practical handbooks and the more detailed, often more theoretical texts. This is a book which would benefit many more courses than the one for which it was originally written. MICHAEL JEFFRIES Department of Environment, Newcastle Polytechnic, U.K.
Progress in Rural Policy and Planning, Andrew W. Gilg (ed.), 244 pp., Vol. 1, 1991, Bellhaven Press, f39.50 hb
Progress in Rural Policy and Planning (PIRPAP) is a new journal which will be published annually for the first three basis thereafter. It years, and possibly on a quarterly carried on the work initiated by the Countryside Planning Yearbook in the U.K. between 1980 and 1986 and its subsequent international version, the International Yearbook. The contents of the journal are limited to the broad area of rural policy and planning, with rural policy including legislation, government advice, government or judicial decisions, statements of policy and the argument of rural and rural planning including the pressure groups, implementation of these plans via land-use plans, designations, controls, quotas and other programmes. The whole range of activities in rural areas is to be covered and so the range of issues to be dealt with can be expected to be substantial environmental, social, economic and political. The series is confined for the moment to five regions of the world, namely the U.S.A., U.K., Europe, Canada and Australasia, a sequence which is reflected in the organisation of Volume 1 into five parts. PIRPAP is not a primary research journal, but is somewhere between a research journal and a yearbook type of publication. It aims to provide long (10 year) and shorter term (2 year) reviews of rural policy and planning developments, particularly for professionals who lack the time to research new developments for themselves. The journal is edited by a general editor, Andrew Gilg (also the U.K. regional editor) and by four other regional editors - 0. Furuseth (U.S.A.), D. Briggs (Europe), R. Dilley (Canada) and G. McDonald (Australasia). There are 21 different contributions in this volume. Each
Reviews
433
regional section contains at least one fairly substantial overview either of the issues in rural policy and planning in each region or of developments in rural policy frameworks and planning practice. Some of these tend to be very general, while others are well developed such as Andrew Gilg’s contributions on the U.K. and G. McDonald’s contribution on Australia. Other contributions include a number of regional case-study type contributions, such as the contributions in the Europe section on land consolidation in Italy, Polish agriculture, and forestry policy and practice in the Basque Country. One of the most welldeveloped contributions is Troughton’s on Canadian agriculture and the Canada-U.S.A. Free Trade Agreement. Finally, there are several very short articles reporting, for instance, on interesting research programmes and even a couple of book reviews. Academics and professionals in the domain of rural policy and planning will undoubtedly find many points of interest in this volume. By its nature, however, it would be unrealistic to expect to find a comprehensive review of policy and planning development in all five regions in this one volume. However, general reviews do sometimes let important developments slip though, such as the omission of any discussion of the Community Futures programme in Canada which is probably one of the more innovative programmes developed nationally aimed at rural and small town development. Its focus on co-operative approaches between communities and on the human resource base in development is surely worthy of mention in a national review of policy developments. Furthermore, the different approaches taken to style and manner of presentation in the different regional sections gives the journal an image of a rather eclectic collection of contributions. The journal has the potential to make a significant contribution to the field of rural policy and planning, and it is to be hoped that the style and presentation of the major reviews will evolve towards a format that will encourage systematic use of the journal by the professional community. A more systematic treatment of developments in policy and planning would increase the utility of the journal to such professionals by allowing them to search for responses to similar issues in different countries. CHRISTOPHER R. BRYANT Departement de GPographie, UniversitP de Montrkaa[, Canada
The Dairy Industry. An International Comparison, W. Grant, 128 + vii pp., 1991, Aldershot, Hampshire, f29.50 hb
At a time when the world agricultural community is wondering what the final outcome of the protracted Uruguay Round of the GATT is going to be, an international comparison of the regulatory environment of the dairy industry in different countries is a welcome addition to the literature on agriculture and food. In the 1980s a major burst of analysis in many countries was generated by pressures for trade liberalization. Important amongst these were studies designed to quantify the incidence of protection and subsidies associated with national agricultural policies. Accompanying this research initiative amongst agricultural economists was a discovery
Book
information sources, there is little in the way of critique about their quality. Considering the modest price it is a useful manual for the uninitiated, but it could hardly be regarded as very informative for experienced IT people. In fact, I would have to admit to learning very little new from reading it. While the author does attempt to distinguish between the rhetoric and reality associated with teleworking, my overall impression of his perspective is not one which would reduce my scepticism about the many reasons which tend to give IT-related activities a bad name. If a revolution in communications is supposed to be taking place, Bibby suggests that a large number of people need to be told about it. He notes that teleshopping ‘may grow’ by the end of the decade, and that the prediction about email taking over from ‘snail-mail’ was premature, if not completely wrong. Among the problems with e-mail and on-line information databases is the difficulty of finding out what is available. Another major problem is the lack of compatibility between different e-mail services and between computer systems. Noting that ideas can sometimes run ahead of reality, he refers to the claims of consultants that there ‘could’ be more than 7 million teleworkers in Britain, or that 50% of all employees ‘could’ be teleworking. In reality the number is probably lower than 80,000. While there is nothing new about homeworkers and new technologies, historical precedents show that they have been among the lowest-paid workers. Recent surveys of teleworkers confirm this pattern and indicate that they also suffer from fewer work benefits. Bibby suggests that teleworking is a way for companies to distinguish between ‘core’ and ‘peripheral’ (or disposable) staff. It can therefore give rise to a dual economy with large firms subcontracting work to small peripheral companies, who end up taking on many of the associated risks. The development of offshore data processing units in regions of lower labour costs is one example of this. While Bibby’s manual provides many useful indications for those who carry out a good deal of their work at home, irrespective of the technology they employ, he highlights many of the possible negative dimensions which could accompany a shift from the more traditional office. In particular he warns about the effects of isolation on friendships and on being out of touch with office politics. He feels that ‘out of sight, out of mind’ might not be the best policy for ensuring promotion, and that a telephone conversation-not to mention electronic mail - are poor substitutes for face-to-face meetings. Emphasising that this is a human rather than a technological issue, he warns that some may suffer a loss of status, because nobody is concerned with what the teleworker is doing or with how they are getting on. While the dream of a rural-based office may appeal to many, they would need to consider the reality of perhaps having to travel 10 miles for a or waiting a considerable time to get the newspaper, computer repaired. Although the overall perspective on developments in the field of information technology is a little disappointing in this book, it will serve a useful purpose in forcing potential teleworkers to think twice about the prospects in store for them.
SEAMUS GRIMES Department of Geography, University College Galway
Reviews Practical Conservation: Water and Wetlands, P. Furniss and A. Lane, 1992, The Open University in association with the Nature Conservancy Council, Hodder and Stoughton, London, f7.99
Water and Wetlands is one of six habitat modules, part of a wider Open University Course entitled ‘Practical Conservation’ and, as such, faces a problem. The book is clearly embedded in the structure of that wider course, with attendant foundation modules, television and videos. Can it be used by itself as a text book by other potential readers? My answer would be a resounding yes. In its 130 clear and accessible pages this text would make a fine reference for any student seeking an introduction to freshwater conservation management. More than that, for the very low price I would even consider recommending students to actually buy a copy. The book divides essentially into four areas: a simple introduction to freshwater ecology; habitat assessment (as landscape, biological and economic resources); maintaining, improving and creating habitats; finally how to plan and monitor work. Throughout the book two case studies, a Scottish Borders farm with extensive wetlands and part of the River Ouse (Buckingham) facing engineering work, are developed so that the reader can immediately see the lessons of each chapter in action. The case studies unfold nicely. I ended up with a very distinct impression of the sites, despite the absence of actual photographs. There is also some encouragement to try out the techniques on a site known to the reader. Terminology is effectively explained, with a supporting glossary and the margin subheadings make for easy digestion. Useful diagrams, tables and maps are found throughout. All this makes for an inviting read. There are plenty of existing heavy texts on similar themes, but such books, which students pick up and promptly put down appalled at the desert of dense text, are not much use. Water and Wetlands is quite the opposite, reflecting the Open University’s experience and outlook. Occasionally there are references to other sections of the Open University course, or the video that accompanies the book, but these are not too disruptive and, if anything, make me want to see more of their work. The book can certainly be used as a stand-alone text. The general level is pitched at basic undergraduate work, thoroughly covering many ideas and techniques but well referenced enough to allow readers to find more detail if required. Using the techniques and models suggested, simple assessments of landscape, biological and economic resources can be made. For full descriptive/prescriptive plans more technical sources would have to be consulted both for ecological and economic detail, but the foundations are well laid. Perhaps this is an instance where the wider Open University course structure would fill in gaps, certainly for a more thorough management plan design. It is good to see a text aimed at practical management intentionally covering scenery, ecology and economic approaches together. There is a clear integration of environmental management needs. The need to follow up and monitor work is an important concluding chapter. Some more specific examples of actual costs would have been a nice insight, especially for the two case studies. There are occasional comments that raise an eyebrow, but that is probably a crusty old academic reaction and nitpicking at what is essentially a smoothly written compendium. The basic ecology is a bit brevitous. Students might
Book be left uncertain about how many factors are measured and with some alarming ideas about ecosystems (‘more complex systems can withstand disturbance better than simple ones’ . .). Sometimes the practical management suggestions are also optimistic, raising the spectre of the pond with everything from a kingfisher cliff to a perfect suite of hydroseres. Elsewhere, though, excellent detail is incorporated, such as algal control methods, individual macrophyte plant needs and some salutary comments on just how little mud even the most enthusiastic volunteers can dig out. If all the other parts of the Open University Practical Conservation course are as crisp and thorough as this freshwater topic then it must be a smart foundation. For other potential users this text will also stand in isolation as a good introductory text. Thorough, well written and keeping its practical purpose clearly in focus, this book is an ideal link between the existing practical handbooks and the more detailed, often more theoretical texts. This is a book which would benefit many more courses than the one for which it was originally written. MICHAEL JEFFRIES Department of Environment, Newcastle Polytechnic, U.K.
Progress in Rural Policy and Planning, Andrew W. Gilg (ed.), 244 pp., Vol. 1, 1991, Bellhaven Press, f39.50 hb
Progress in Rural Policy and Planning (PIRPAP) is a new journal which will be published annually for the first three basis thereafter. It years, and possibly on a quarterly carried on the work initiated by the Countryside Planning Yearbook in the U.K. between 1980 and 1986 and its subsequent international version, the International Yearbook. The contents of the journal are limited to the broad area of rural policy and planning, with rural policy including legislation, government advice, government or judicial decisions, statements of policy and the argument of rural and rural planning including the pressure groups, implementation of these plans via land-use plans, designations, controls, quotas and other programmes. The whole range of activities in rural areas is to be covered and so the range of issues to be dealt with can be expected to be substantial environmental, social, economic and political. The series is confined for the moment to five regions of the world, namely the U.S.A., U.K., Europe, Canada and Australasia, a sequence which is reflected in the organisation of Volume 1 into five parts. PIRPAP is not a primary research journal, but is somewhere between a research journal and a yearbook type of publication. It aims to provide long (10 year) and shorter term (2 year) reviews of rural policy and planning developments, particularly for professionals who lack the time to research new developments for themselves. The journal is edited by a general editor, Andrew Gilg (also the U.K. regional editor) and by four other regional editors - 0. Furuseth (U.S.A.), D. Briggs (Europe), R. Dilley (Canada) and G. McDonald (Australasia). There are 21 different contributions in this volume. Each
Reviews
433
regional section contains at least one fairly substantial overview either of the issues in rural policy and planning in each region or of developments in rural policy frameworks and planning practice. Some of these tend to be very general, while others are well developed such as Andrew Gilg’s contributions on the U.K. and G. McDonald’s contribution on Australia. Other contributions include a number of regional case-study type contributions, such as the contributions in the Europe section on land consolidation in Italy, Polish agriculture, and forestry policy and practice in the Basque Country. One of the most welldeveloped contributions is Troughton’s on Canadian agriculture and the Canada-U.S.A. Free Trade Agreement. Finally, there are several very short articles reporting, for instance, on interesting research programmes and even a couple of book reviews. Academics and professionals in the domain of rural policy and planning will undoubtedly find many points of interest in this volume. By its nature, however, it would be unrealistic to expect to find a comprehensive review of policy and planning development in all five regions in this one volume. However, general reviews do sometimes let important developments slip though, such as the omission of any discussion of the Community Futures programme in Canada which is probably one of the more innovative programmes developed nationally aimed at rural and small town development. Its focus on co-operative approaches between communities and on the human resource base in development is surely worthy of mention in a national review of policy developments. Furthermore, the different approaches taken to style and manner of presentation in the different regional sections gives the journal an image of a rather eclectic collection of contributions. The journal has the potential to make a significant contribution to the field of rural policy and planning, and it is to be hoped that the style and presentation of the major reviews will evolve towards a format that will encourage systematic use of the journal by the professional community. A more systematic treatment of developments in policy and planning would increase the utility of the journal to such professionals by allowing them to search for responses to similar issues in different countries. CHRISTOPHER R. BRYANT Departement de GPographie, UniversitP de Montrkaa[, Canada
The Dairy Industry. An International Comparison, W. Grant, 128 + vii pp., 1991, Aldershot, Hampshire, f29.50 hb
At a time when the world agricultural community is wondering what the final outcome of the protracted Uruguay Round of the GATT is going to be, an international comparison of the regulatory environment of the dairy industry in different countries is a welcome addition to the literature on agriculture and food. In the 1980s a major burst of analysis in many countries was generated by pressures for trade liberalization. Important amongst these were studies designed to quantify the incidence of protection and subsidies associated with national agricultural policies. Accompanying this research initiative amongst agricultural economists was a discovery