Shimon C. Anisfeld | An Island Press author

Shimon C. Anisfeld

Dr. Shimon Anisfeld is Senior Lecturer and Research Scientist in Water Resources and Environmental Chemistry at Yale University's School of Forestry and Environmental Studies. His articles have appeared in major journals, including Environmental Science and TechnologyJournal of Sustainable Forestry, and Estuaries.

He has two primary areas of interest: coastal ecosystems and water management. The former is reflected in his field research, which focuses on the impact of sea-level rise and other stressors on salt marshes; he is particularly interested in how sea-level rise and coastal storms drive the migration of marshes into adjoining uplands, such as woodlands or lawns, and how managers can facilitate and plan for future marsh migration.

Anisfeld’s interest in water management is expressed in his teaching and writing, including his book Water Resources (Island Press, 2010), which he is currently revising for a second edition.

Besides his water management courses, Anisfeld also teaches courses in coastal ecology and environmental chemistry, as well as an introductory course in physical sciences for environmental managers.

Anisfeld received his Ph.D. in organic chemistry from MIT in 1993.

Water Resources

In this concise introduction to water resources, Shimon Anisfeld explores the fundamental interactions between humans and water, including drinking, sanitation, irrigation, and power production. The book familiarizes students with the current water crisis and with approaches for managing this essential resource more effectively in a time of rapid environmental and social change. Anisfeld addresses both human and ecological problems, including scarcity, pollution, disease, flooding, conflicts over water, and degradation of aquatic ecosystems.