Monitoring the resilience of rivers as social–ecological systems: a paradigm shift for river assessment in the twenty‐first century

et al. 2019

River Research & Apps

Self Cite

Resilience is a well‐used term in many disciplines, but inconsistently or little applied in river geomorphology and river science. Recent developments in ecosystem ecology conceptualize resilience as comprising system resistance to, and recovery from disturbance. The objectives of this paper are to consider how the concept of resilience in this bivariate form applies to river geomorphology and provide a framework for bridging the disciplines of ecology and geomorphology within the setting of river management, using principles of resilience. River geomorphology sets the physical template upon which lotic processes act, thus, understanding the resilience of this template is critical. The importance of consistency in defining the principles of resilience thinking within the context of river science and management is important especially when promoting ecosystem resilience as a river management goal. The application of resilience thinking with respect to river habitat is provided through a series of examples from Australian and New Zealand river systems. Aim How is the concept of resilience applied to river geomorphology, and what does a geomorphologically resilient river look like?

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Framing resilience for river geomorphology: Reinventing the wheel?

Fuller

Gilvear

et al. 2019

River Research & Apps

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“…Rivers shape and are in turn shaped by human societies (Parsons et al, )—they are social‐ecological systems. However, communities often attempt to force rivers into fixed or stable states, physically and conceptually (Knight, 2019), a view based upon a limited appreciation of biological, chemical, and physical processes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integrating multiple aquatic values: Perspectives and a collaborative future for river science

Pingram

Price

2019

River Research & Apps

The study and management of rivers have undergone a metamorphosis over the last four decades, transitioning from individual sub‐disciplines towards interdisciplinary approaches and an increased focus on viewing riverine landscapes as social‐ecological systems. Within this context, there is a growing emphasis on the need to take resilience‐based approaches to living with rivers in a sustainable way that maximises public security, infrastructure protection, and economic, ecological, and cultural benefits and values. The concept of viewing rivers as social‐ecological systems is gaining traction in science and management discourse; however, the idea is not new, and indigenous knowledge systems consistently place humans within the natural world. Integrating environmental knowledge, in its various forms, plays a key role in understanding issues and developing solutions for freshwater managers, especially in the context of rivers as social‐ecological systems. The 5th Biennial Symposium of the International Society for River Science conference, themed “Integrating Multiple Aquatic Values,” provided a forum for sharing environmental knowledge underpinning freshwater management critical for achieving multiple goals. The papers in this special issue highlight the fundamental properties of rivers as social‐ecological systems and the attempts to integrate multiple values concerned with rivers and their landscapes. From a series of case studies, a set of challenges and opportunities emerge that have the potential to further the management and research of rivers as social‐ecological systems and integrate multiple aquatic values. Key to this is acknowledging and respecting the value that indigenous worldviews and knowledge bring. We also echo the call of other authors that if the overall goals are that rivers, societies, and their interactions are to result in positive social and ecological outcomes for people and rivers, then integrating and respecting multiple values and knowledge systems will be required.

“…As such, river networks require research and management that integrate their hydrogeomorphic character, ecosystem services, and societal priorities and preferences (Parsons et al. ). Combining knowledge of the character of river networks — for example, through identification of FPZs — with the ecosystem services expected to be provided by different FPZs (Thorp et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of River Networks: A GIS Approach and Its Applications

J American Water Resour Assoc

Scown

Flotemersch

2018

Self Cite

Fluvial geomorphology provides the basis for characterizing complex river networks and evaluating biophysical processes within watersheds. Understanding the spatial organization of morphological features, their influencing processes, and resultant geomorphic diversity in stream networks are important for efficient restoration, river health assessment, and improving our knowledge of the resilience of riverine landscapes. River characterization is a means to determine the biophysical character of river networks but many methods are fraught with pitfalls, such as the use of incorrect variables and limited acknowledgment of the hierarchical organization of rivers. In this paper, a top‐down geographic information system‐based approach for determining the physical typology of river networks is outlined. A suite of multivariate analyses are used to develop a nomenclature for functional process zones (FPZs) — large tracts of the river network with similar hydro‐geomorphological character. Applied to the Little Miami River, Ohio, six distinct FPZs emerged, which had a nonuniform distribution along the river network. Some FPZs repeated downstream; others were rare in terms of total length and number of FPZ segments. The physical structure of the Little Miami River network was analyzed using a series of community metrics. Application of this approach for river monitoring, establishing reference conditions, as well as management of threatened and endangered species and asset trading is highlighted.