Advances on Modelling Riparian Vegetation-Hydromorphology Interactions

L. Solari*, M. Van Oorschot, B. Belletti, D. Hendriks, M. Rinaldi, A. Vargas-Luna

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Riparian vegetation actively interacts with fluvial systems affecting river hydrodynamics, morphodynamics and groundwater. These interactions can be coupled because both vegetation and hydromorphology (i.e. the combined scientific study of hydrology and fluvial geomorphology) involve dynamic processes with similar temporal and spatial scales. To predict and assess the consequences of restoration measures, maintenance operations or human pressures in rivers, managers and planners may wish to model these interactions considering the different and interdisciplinary implications in the fields of ecology, geomorphology and hydrology. In this paper, we review models that are currently available and that incorporate the processes that relate riparian vegetation to hydromorphology. The models that are considered include those emphasizing hydraulic-geomorphological processes (such as flow resistance, sediment transport and bank dynamics) as well as those emphasizing ecological processes (seed dispersal, plant survival, growth, succession and mortality). Models interpreting the coupled evolution between riparian vegetation and river morphology and groundwater are also presented. The aim is to provide an overview of current modelling capabilities and limitations and to identify future modelling challenges.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)164-178
Number of pages15
JournalRiver Research and Applications
Volume32
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Feb 2016

Keywords

  • Hydromorphology
  • Modelling
  • REFORM project
  • Riparian vegetation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Advances on Modelling Riparian Vegetation-Hydromorphology Interactions'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this