Author(s): Ryan R. Morrison; Belize A. Lane; Marissa Karpack; Fernando Nardi
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Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: Floodplains refer to the areas of land lateral to the main channel of a river that are periodically inundated during high flows. The spatial mosaic of floodplain habitats changes over time due primarily to flooding, channel avulsion, and aggradation, resulting in dynamic patterns and ecosystem functions [1]. Floodplains provide critical ecohydrologic functions including flood wave attenuation, sediment and organic matter regulation, nutrient and contamination regulation, and habitat for aquatic and terrestrial species [2]. These floodplain functions are linked to the frequency, seasonality, and duration of streamflow and groundwater levels as modulated by the morphology of the river corridor [3]. In the past century, flow alteration (e. g., reservoirs, diversions, climate change) and form alteration (e. g., sediment regime alteration, dikes, levees, bank stabilization structures) have reduced or eliminated hydrological and ecological interactions between rivers and their floodplains [4], driving major regional changes in floodplain functioning. Many definitions and delineations have been applied to floodplains, confounding objective characterization of forms and functions for evaluation across regions and gradients of alteration. Here, we propose an objective, extensible topographic framework for classifying floodplain archetypes and characterizing hydrogeomorphic functions. Our proposed framework allows us to identify functional floodplain archetypes that can be used to inform restoration decisions.
Year: 2018