Landscape transformation of an Alpine floodplain influenced by humans: historical analyses from aerial images

Doering, Michael; Blaurock, Martina; Robinson, Christopher T.

doi:10.1002/hyp.8374

Cited by 17 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…We used analysis of variance (Doering, Blaurock, & Robinson, ) to test the effects of different rock fragment cover treatments (i.e., coverage, position, and size) on hydrological parameters (Table ). The results of these analyses show that although both coverage and size of rock fragments did not significantly influence any of measured variables, position of rock fragments did have significant effects on all variables, especially on run‐off and soil loss ( p < .01).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of rock fragment cover on hydrological processes under rainfall simulation in a semi‐arid region of China

Xin-shi

Song

et al. 2018

Hydrological Processes

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Rock fragment cover has long been an important agricultural crop production technique on the Loess Plateau, China. Although this approach plays an important role in controlling hydrological processes and preventing soil erosion, inconsistent results have been recovered in this field. In this study, we investigated the effects of rock fragment cover on infiltration, run‐off, soil erosion, and hydraulic parameters using rainfall simulation in the field in a semi‐arid region of China. Two field plots encompassing 6 rock fragment coverages (0%, 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, and 40%), as well as 2 rock fragment positions and sizes were exposed to rainfall at a particular intensity (60 mm h−1). The results of this study showed that increasing the rock fragment coverage with rock fragments resting on the soil surface increased infiltration but decreased run‐off generation and sediment yield. A contrasting result was found, however, when rock fragments were partially embedded into the soil surface; in this case, a positive relationship between rock fragment coverage and run‐off rate as well as a nonmonotonic relationship with respect to soil loss rate was recovered. The size of rock fragments also exerted a positive effect on run‐off generation and sediment yield but had a negative effect on infiltration. At the same time, both mean flow velocity and Froude number decreased with increasing rock fragment coverage regardless of rock fragment position and size, whereas both Manning roughness and Darcy–Weisbach friction factor were positively correlated. Results show that stream power is the most sensitive hydraulic parameter affecting soil loss. Combined with variance analysis, we concluded that the order of significance of rock fragment cover variables was position followed by coverage and then size. We also quantitatively incorporated the effects of rock fragment cover on soil loss via the C and K factors in the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation. Overall, this study will enable the development of more accurate modelling approaches and lead to a better understanding of hydrological processes under rock fragment cover conditions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of rock fragment cover on hydrological processes under rainfall simulation in a semi‐arid region of China

Xin-shi

Song

et al. 2018

Hydrological Processes

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“…Even under some floodplain regulation (e.g., levees), surface water heterogeneity was reflected strongly in the degree of hydrological complexity, and this complexity was evident in macroinvertebrate distributions and abundances. Regulation of floodplains and floodplain surface waters homogenizes aquatic habitats (Doering 2012a) and likely are principal causes for losses in floodplain biodiversity. These results suggest that floodplain restoration should attempt to reconnect floodplain surface waters and increase the hydrological complexity associated with natural floodplains.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Spatial patterns in macroinvertebrate assemblages in surface-flowing waters of a glacially-influenced floodplain

Robinson

Doering

2012

Aquat Sci

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We examined the spatial structure of macroinvertebrate assemblages in surface-flowing waters of a glacially-influenced floodplain. The floodplain main-channel responded longitudinally to changes in hydrology with evident coarse-scale zones of upwelling and downwelling; the lower floodplain main channel fell dry in late winter. Physico-chemical attributes differed among tributaries and the main channel. The main channel had lower values of conductivity, alkalinity and nitrate-N than tributaries, with right-side (east-facing) tributaries having the highest values. Left-side (west-facing) tributaries flowing over an exposed rock-face had warmer water temperatures than the main channel and right-side tributaries. The biomass of benthic organic matter and periphyton was highest in rightside tributaries, followed by main channel sites then leftside tributaries. Similarly, macroinvertebrate density and richness were higher in right-side tributaries, intermediate in main channel sites, and lowest in left-side tributaries. Macroinvertebrate assemblages clearly differed between main channel sites, right-side tributaries, and left side tributaries based on an NMDS analysis. Minor differences were observed among main channel sites, although most upstream sites showed some structural differences from downstream sites. Ephemeropterans and plecopterans were most common in main channel sites and right-side tributaries, whereas chironomids and trichopterans also were common in right-side tributaries. Although the main channel changed longitudinally in physico-chemical characteristics, no real patterns of zonation were evident in macroinvertebrate assemblages. Coarse spatial patterns in macroinvertebrate assemblages in the floodplain were reflected in the physico-chemical differences between the main channel and tributaries, and between left-side and right-side tributaries. We conclude that coarse-scale floodplain properties enhance the overall diversity of lotic macroinvertebrates. Consequently, floodplain alterations that reduce surface water heterogeneity/connectivity limits the potential macroinvertebrate diversity of floodplains.

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“…Flowing between gentle-sloped meadows and steep rock walls, the Urbach is a braided stream with various main and side channels and in-stream islands (Doering et al, 2012). In spite of upstream hydropower production and the installation of stone crib walls as flood protection measures in the meadows, the Urbach has maintained its natural river morphology due to the extensive intermediate catchment between study site and the retaining lake of the hydropower production plant.…”

Section: Study Sitesmentioning

confidence: 99%

How effective is river restoration in re-establishing groundwater–surface water interactions? – A case study

Kurth

Weber

Schirmer

2015

Hydrol. Earth Syst. Sci.

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Abstract. In this study, we investigated whether river restoration was successful in re-establishing groundwater-surface water interactions in a degraded urban stream. Restoration measures included morphological changes to the river bed, such as the installation of gravel islands and spur dykes, as well as the planting of site-specific riparian vegetation. Standard distributed temperature sensing (DTS) and novel active and passive DTS approaches were employed to study groundwater-surface water interactions in two reference streams and an experimental reach of an urban stream before and after its restoration. Radon-222 analyses were utilized to validate the losing stream conditions of the urban stream in the experimental reach. Our results indicated that river restoration at the study site was indeed successful in increasing groundwater-surface water interactions. Increased surface water downwelling occurred locally at the tip of a gravel island created during river restoration. Hence, the installation of in-stream structures increased the vertical connectivity and thus groundwater-surface water interactions. With the methods presented in this publication, it would be possible to routinely investigate the success of river restorations in re-establishing vertical connectivity, thereby gaining insight into the effectiveness of specific restoration measures. This, in turn, would enable the optimization of future river restoration projects, rendering them more cost-effective and successful.

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Landscape transformation of an Alpine floodplain influenced by humans: historical analyses from aerial images

Cited by 17 publications

References 41 publications

Effects of rock fragment cover on hydrological processes under rainfall simulation in a semi‐arid region of China

Effects of rock fragment cover on hydrological processes under rainfall simulation in a semi‐arid region of China

Spatial patterns in macroinvertebrate assemblages in surface-flowing waters of a glacially-influenced floodplain

How effective is river restoration in re-establishing groundwater–surface water interactions? – A case study

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