Author(s): G. A. M. De Almeida; J. F. Rodriguez
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Pool-riffle; Self maintenance; Stream restoration; Rehabilitation
Abstract: After more than one century of research on the mechanisms responsible for the persistence and self sustainability of pool-riffle sequences in streams, a complete description of the most relevant intervening processes is still far from settled. One of the main difficulties in the study of these geomorphic systems is that the spatial distribution of sediment transport, which is the ultimate driver for morphological changes, is governed by complex interactions between flow temporal variability and morphological changes themselves. In this paper a numerical model is used to study two mechanisms resulting from this dynamic interaction. Results from model simulations have highlighted a considerable degree of interdependence among different pool-riffle units, indicating that small disturbances in a given pool-riffle unit tend to be absorbed and restored by the interaction with neighbouring units.
Year: 2011