Channel pattern and river-floodplain dynamics in forested mountain river systems

Beechie, Timothy J.; Liermann, Martin; Pollock, Michael M.; Baker, S.; Davies, Jeremy

doi:10.1016/j.geomorph.2006.01.030

Cited by 236 publications

(289 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Where logjams do persist, we observe the highest rates of floodplain vertical accretion (Jeffries et al, 2003;this study), and the formation of terraces and floodplain building in bedload dominated systems Montgomery and Abbe, 2006). Similarly, stable logjams promote channel avulsion (Montgomery and Piegay, 2003), multiple channel patterns (Beechie et al, 2006;Montgomery and Abbe, 2006) and higher rates of floodplain incision within floodplain channels (this study). In contrast, dynamic logjams coupled with the mobility of organic materials on the floodplain result in spatial and temporal floodplain surface complexity, high rates of turnover, and the formation of complex surface topography.…”

Section: Logjams and Floodplain Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 55%

“…In larger alluvial rivers logjams are important for blocking off secondary channels; deflecting flows into existing secondary channels and for maintaining floodplain dynamics via secondary channel processes (Abbe and Montgomery, 1996;Beechie et al, 2006). In addition, the formation of stable logjams within the main channel initiates sediment deposition and the development of islands Montgomery and Piegay, 2003).…”

Section: Logjams and Floodplain Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Logjam controls on channel:floodplain interactions in wooded catchments and their role in the formation of multi-channel patterns

Sear

Millington

Kitts³

et al. 2010

Geomorphology

146

110

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The role of wood in the formation and maintenance of complex dynamic floodplain surfaces is important and to date has received relatively limited attention compared to in-channel habitat processes. This paper explores the role of logjams as important agents of channel:floodplain interaction. We draw on a specific case study as well as examples from the literature to show that although the processes of interaction differ, the resulting dynamic floodplain patchwork is a common feature of rivers with logjams. In addition, we contend that the presence of logjams is an important factor in the evolution and maintenance of multiple channel patterns in both montane and lowland river environments. These observations have important implications for the definition of reference targets for river restoration. The specific results of this research show:1) The presence of a range of types of multiple channel network dissecting the floodplains of low order channels that are strongly associated with the presence of logjams. 2) The relatively rapid formation of floodplain channels following logjam formation.3) The dynamic nature of logjams within headwater channels on both seasonal and annual timescales that lead to a highly dynamic habitat mosaic on the floodplain surface. 4) An increased frequency of overbank flooding and high rates of floodplain sediment accumulation upstream of logjams and along floodplain channel networks that create the complex topography observed in the case study forested floodplains.

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Section: Logjams and Floodplain Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 55%

Section: Logjams and Floodplain Dynamicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Logjam controls on channel:floodplain interactions in wooded catchments and their role in the formation of multi-channel patterns

Sear

Millington

Kitts³

et al. 2010

Geomorphology

146

110

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“…This transition may be a real shift in vegetation cover as alder and open vegetation in young landscapes are known to be dynamic, due to frequent disturbance events (e.g. river channel migration) resulting in fluctuating patch size and density of species typical of 'young' successional stages (Beechie et al, 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Vegetation succession in deglaciated landscapes: implications for sediment and landscape stability

Klaar

Kidd

Malone

et al. 2014

Earth Surf Processes Landf

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Landscapes exposed by glacial retreat provide an ideal natural laboratory to study the processes involved in transforming a highly disturbed, glacially influenced landscape to a stable, diverse ecosystem which supports numerous species and communities. Large-scale vegetation development and changes in sediment availability, used as a proxy for paraglacial adjustment following rapid deglaciation, were assessed using information from remote sensing. Delineation of broad successional vegetation cover types was undertaken using Landsat satellite imagery (covering a 22 year period) to document the rate and trajectory of terrestrial vegetation development. Use of a space-for-time substitution in Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska, allowed 'back-calculation' of the age and stage of development of six catchments over 206 years. The high accuracy (89.2%) of the remotely sensed information used in monitoring successional change allowed detection of a high rate of change in vegetation classes in early successional stages (bare sediment and alder). In contrast, later successional stages (spruce and spruce-hemlock dominated forest) had high vegetation class retention, and low turnover. Modelled rates of vegetation change generally confirmed the estimated rates of successional turnover previously reported. These data, when combined with the known influence of terrestrial succession on soil development and sediment availability, suggest how physical and biological processes interact over time to influence paraglacial adjustment following deglaciation. This study highlights the application of remote sensing of successional chronosequence landscapes to assess the temporal dynamics of paraglacial adjustment following rapid deglaciation and shows the importance of incorporating bio-physical interactions within landscape evolution models.

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“…Wood recruitment to large rivers with floodplains depends on the channel migration rate and the density, age, and size of trees on the floodplain surface. It is also a function of channel pattern, which controls lateral migration rate (Beechie et al 2006;Naiman et al 2010).…”

Section: Wood Functionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wood placement in river restoration: fact, fiction, and future direction

Roni

Beechie

Pess

et al. 2015

Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci.

194

211

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Despite decades of research on wood in rivers, the addition of wood as a river restoration technique remains controversial. We reviewed the literature on natural and placed wood to shed light on areas of continued debate. Research on river ecology demonstrates that large woody debris has always been a natural part of most rivers systems. Although a few studies have reported high structural failure rates (>50%) of placed instream wood structures, most studies have shown relatively low failure rates (<20%) and that placed wood remains stable for several years, though long-term evaluations of placed wood are rare. The vast majority of studies on wood placement have reported improvements in physical habitat (e.g., increased pool frequency, cover, habitat diversity). Studies that have not reported improvements in physical habitat often found that watershed processes (e.g., sediment, hydrology, water quality) had not been addressed. Finally, most evaluations of fish response to wood placement have shown positive responses for salmonids, though few studies have looked at long-term watershed-scale responses or studied a wide range of species.Résumé : Malgré des décennies de recherche sur le bois dans les rivières, l'ajout de bois comme technique de restauration demeure controversé. Nous avons passé en revue la documentation sur le bois naturel et mis en place pour faire la lumière sur les enjeux qui font toujours l'objet de débat. La recherche en écologie fluviale démontre que les grands débris ligneux ont toujours constitué une composante naturelle de la plupart des réseaux fluviaux. Si quelques études ont signalé des taux élevés de défaillance structurale (>50 %) des structures en bois mises en place dans des cours d'eau, la plupart des études ont noté des taux de défaillance assez faibles (<20 %) et montré que le bois mis en place dans les cours d'eau demeurait stable pendant plusieurs années, les évaluations à long terme du bois mis en place étant toutefois rares. La grande majorité des études sur la mise en place de bois font état d'améliorations de l'habitat physique (p. ex. fréquences accrues de mouilles, couvert, diversité des habitats). Bon nombre des études n'ayant pas constaté d'amélioration de l'habitat physique notaient que les processus hydrographiques (p. ex. sédiments, hydrologie, qualité de l'eau) n'avaient pas été pris en considération. Enfin, si la plupart des évaluations de la réaction des poissons à la mise en place de bois ont relevé des réactions positives en ce qui concerne les salmonidés, peu d'études ont examiné les réactions à long terme à l'échelle du bassin versant ou étudié un grand éventail d'espèces. [Traduit par la Rédaction]

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Channel pattern and river-floodplain dynamics in forested mountain river systems

Cited by 236 publications

References 48 publications

Logjam controls on channel:floodplain interactions in wooded catchments and their role in the formation of multi-channel patterns

Logjam controls on channel:floodplain interactions in wooded catchments and their role in the formation of multi-channel patterns

Vegetation succession in deglaciated landscapes: implications for sediment and landscape stability

Wood placement in river restoration: fact, fiction, and future direction

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