Abstract
Environmental problems are becoming increasingly complex as the pollution resulting from daily life increases. This study examined the environment of the Sakawa River Basin, in western Kanagawa Prefecture, from several perspectives, including changes in water quality, awareness of residents, and state of environmental conservation activities. The analysis identified complex changes in water quality on a river basin scale. The awareness of residents and environmental conservation activities are not united in all regions. The water quality has improved, based on a chemical index, although its quality has worsened according to the residents. The main cause of this discrepancy is thought to be the fact that the residents' lives are no longer closely tied to the river. It is necessary to form a network among organizations and places and to consider the environment from multiple viewpoints.
