Rivers help us to quantify the socio-ecological functioning of their basin at the Anthropocene: the Seine example (1850–2020)

Meybeck, Michel; Bouleau, Gabrielle; Garnier, Josette; Lestel, Laurence

doi:10.5802/crgeos.140

Cited by 3 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 75 publications

(79 reference statements)

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“…Regime shift induced by geomorphic responses to deforestation on the highly erodible terrains of Tairāwhiti over the last 150 years clearly validates conceptions of Anthropocene rivers (Thoms et al, 2020;García et al, 2021;Meybeck et al, 2023 . While profound anthropogenicallyinduced landscape transformation has been ubiquitous across this region, the geomorphic river stories for the five study catchments highlight profound variability in river diversity, process regimes (sediment sources, connectivity relations) and evolutionary trajectories (Table 2).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 53%

Managing at source and at scale: The use of geomorphic river stories to support rehabilitation of Anthropocene riverscapes in the East Coast Region of Aotearoa New Zealand

Fuller

Brierley

Tunnicliffe

et al. 2023

Front. Environ. Sci.

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Recently uplifted, highly erodible rocks, and recurrent high intensity storms, generate exceedingly high erosion and sedimentation rates in the East Coast Region (Tairāwhiti) of Aotearoa New Zealand. Despite the recent nature of the Anthropocene record in global terms (∼650 years since Māori arrival, 250 years of colonial impacts), human disturbance has profoundly altered evolutionary trajectories of river systems across the region. Here we document catchment-by-catchment variability in anthropogenic signature as geomorphic river stories for five catchments (Waiapu, Hikuwai, Waimatā, Waipaoa, Mōtū). We show how targeted, fit-for-purpose process-based rehabilitation programmes that manage at source and at scale are required to facilitate river recovery in each of these catchments. The largest rivers in the region, Waiapu and Waipaoa, comprise steep, highly dissected terrains that are subject to recurrent hillslope failures, including systemic shallow landslides, occasional deep-seated rotational slumps and earthflows. Localised sediment input from large (>10 ha) gully mass movement complexes overwhelms valley floors. Targeted revegetation programmes are required to reduce extreme sediment inputs from these sources. Although there are fewer gully complexes in the Hikuwai, multiple landslips supply vast volumes of fine-grained sediment that aggrade and are recurrently reworked along channel margins in lowland reaches. Waimatā has no gully complexes and a smaller number of landslips, but large areas are subject to sediment input from earthflows. The terrace-constrained flume-like nature of this system efficiently flushes materials ‘from the mountains to the sea’, recurrently reworking materials along channel banks in a similar manner to the lower Hikuwai. Systematic reforestation in the middle-upper catchment and revegetation of riparian corridors is required to reduce sedimentation rates in these catchments. In contrast, terraces buffer sediment delivery from hillslopes in the upper Mōtū catchment, where a bedrock gorge separates large sediment stores along upper reaches from the lower catchment. As reworking of valley floor sediments in response to bed incision and reworking (expansion) of channel margins is the primary contemporary sediment source in this system, bed control structures and revegetation of riparian corridors are required as part of targeted sediment management plans. We contend that geomorphic river stories provide a coherent platform for Anthropocene rehabilitation strategies that work with the character, behaviour and evolutionary trajectories of river systems. Although this generic lens can be applied anywhere in the world, we highlight particular meanings and implications in Aotearoa New Zealand where such thinking aligns directly with Māori values that respect the mana (authority), mauri (lifeforce) and ora (wellbeing) of each and every river.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 53%

Managing at source and at scale: The use of geomorphic river stories to support rehabilitation of Anthropocene riverscapes in the East Coast Region of Aotearoa New Zealand

Fuller

Brierley

Tunnicliffe

et al. 2023

Front. Environ. Sci.

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“…They couple it to the Riverstrahler model, in order to simultaneously address issues of food production, river water quality and nutrient delivery to the coastal zone. Meybeck et al [2023] describe the work undertaken since 1989 in the framework of the interdisciplinary PIREN-Seine research program, combining historical river fluxes, material flows, river ecology, environmental history and political ecology. Last, Coudrain et al [2023] discuss the Anthropocene concept, which tends to move science towards action, in order to actively promote solutions that adapt to changes.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A hydrogeological acrostic: in honour of Ghislain de Marsily

Andréassian,

Plagnes,

Simmons

et al. 2024

Comptes Rendus. Géoscience

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The IAHS Science for Solutions decade, with Hydrology Engaging Local People IN one Global world (HELPING)

Arheimer,

Cudennec,

Castellarin

et al. 2024

Hydrological Sciences Journal

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Rivers help us to quantify the socio-ecological functioning of their basin at the Anthropocene: the Seine example (1850–2020)

Abstract: Rivers help us to quantify the socio-ecological functioning of their basin at the Anthropocene: the Seine example (1850-2020)

Cited by 3 publications

References 75 publications

Managing at source and at scale: The use of geomorphic river stories to support rehabilitation of Anthropocene riverscapes in the East Coast Region of Aotearoa New Zealand

Managing at source and at scale: The use of geomorphic river stories to support rehabilitation of Anthropocene riverscapes in the East Coast Region of Aotearoa New Zealand

A hydrogeological acrostic: in honour of Ghislain de Marsily

The IAHS Science for Solutions decade, with Hydrology Engaging Local People IN one Global world (HELPING)

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