Mechanism of Riparian Vegetation Growth and Sediment Transport Interaction in Floodplain: A Dynamic Riparian Vegetation Model (DRIPVEM) Approach

Abstract

The ecological dynamics of riparian areas interact with sediment transport in river systems, which plays an active role in riparian vegetation growth in the floodplain. The fluvial dynamics, hydraulics, hydro-meteorological and geomorphological characteristics of rivers are associated with sediment transport in river systems and around the riparian area. The flood disturbance, sediment with nutrients and seeds transported by river, sediment deposition, and erosion phenomena in the floodplain change the bare land area to vegetation area and vice versa. The difference in riparian vegetation area in the river floodplain is dependent on the sediment grain size distribution which is deposited in the river floodplain. Mathematical models describing vegetation growth in a short period exist in literature, but long-term modelling and validations are still lacking. In order to cover long-term vegetation growth modelling, a Dynamic Riparian Vegetation Model (DRIPVEM) was proposed. This paper highlights the existing modelling technique of DRIPVEM coupled with a Dynamic Herbaceous Model used to establish the interactive relationship of sediment grain sizes and riparian vegetation in the floodplain.

Combined Effects of Hillslope-Concentrated Flows and Riverine Stream Waves on Soil Erosion in the Reservoir Riparian Zone

“…The riparian zone is defined as all stream-adjacent landforms likely to be inundated or saturated by riverine overbank discharges [1]. It delivers dynamic and complex interactions with river channels via bank erosion and sediment deposition (Figure 1), acting as an important structural and functional component of river systems [2][3][4]. More specifically, bank erosion has been recognized as a contributor to suspended sediment load transported by global rivers [5,6].…”

Spatial Distribution Heterogeneity of Riparian Plant Communities and Their Environmental Interpretation in Hillstreams

“…This zone exhibits unique characteristics, dynamics, and edge effects, making it a critical source of terrestrial and aquatic species, and serving as an essential wildlife habitat. Moreover, the research has demonstrated that the community structure and succession of plants in riparian areas can significantly influence the heterogeneity of hydrological processes [2]. The plants that thrive in riparian areas play an additional distinct role in the landscape through serving as a transitional medium between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.…”

Dam-Induced Alteration in Seasonal Fluvial Discharge Time Series in Kali Gandaki Hydropower Dam, Syangja, Nepal: An Application of Wavelet Analysis

“…The dam-induced changes in flow regime such as total discharge, shape of seasonal hydrograph, and seasonal and inter-annual variability control many physical and ecological perspectives of river form and processes associated with sediment load, sediment grain size and nutrient transport [2,3]. The dam construction induced drastic alteration of flow regime changes the downstream river morphology in terms of decreases in environmental flow, flow velocity, flow depth, shifting of thalweg, shortage of SS, less erodibility nature of river, and changes in soil particle sizes in the floodplain located at downstream [4][5][6]. These changes in river ecology have negative impacts on downstream aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems [7] and their consequences rely on the purpose of dam construction, the climate inside the catchment, and the policies of the operation of dam gates established on the basis of environmental impact assessment guidelines.…”