Scale-dependent effects of vegetation on flow velocity and biogeochemical conditions in aquatic systems

Licci, Sofia; Marmonier, Pierre; Wharton, Geraldene; Delolme, Cécile; Mermillod-Blondin, Florian; Simon, Laurent; Vallier, Félix; Bouma, Tjeerd J.; Puijalon, Sara

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155123

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 104 publications

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“…Under these conditions, macrophytes, not only trap and stabilise sediment, but also function as a link between bed sediments and the water column. The uptake and temporary storage of nutrients by the plants and the retention of fine sediments within dense plant stands, means that macrophytes in rivers not only affect sediment transport and hydraulics, but are an integral component of nutrient dynamics (Clarke, 2002; Licci et al, 2022), which is critical to the ecological function of rivers.…”

Section: Hydrogeomorphic Connectivitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Towards biogeomorphic river restoration: Vegetation as a critical driver of physical habitat

O'Briain,

Corenblit,

Garófano‐Gómez

et al. 2024

River Research & Apps

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The current focus of river restoration on flow and sediment transfer without proper consideration of vegetation as a key structuring agent, beyond its stabilising effect, is too simplistic. We contend that vegetation has an essential role in shaping the physical fluvial environment and should be considered equally alongside hydrogeomorphic processes in restoration projects. In support, we introduce engineer plants as important controls, along with flowing water and transported sediments, on the morphodynamics of river systems and associated physical habitat development. The effect of vegetation on channel planform is then summarised, the influence of vegetation on hydrogeomorphic connectivity is outlined, and then the role of vegetation in landform development and habitat provision, as encapsulated in the fluvial biogeomorphic succession model, is described. We then present examples demonstrating how vegetation has contributed to the recovery of degraded rivers through biogeomorphic processes. Finally, we advance the concept of biogeomorphic river restoration by proposing principles to support a closer synthesis of the component sciences and list key areas for practitioners to focus on. Vegetation succession has a significance that goes beyond its physical structure or influence on sediment stability. In many river settings, it is central to channel evolution. The coupled assembly of plant communities and fluvial landforms affect the development of spatially and temporally dynamic habitat through biogeomorphic interactions. Restoration approaches that do not fully consider this dynamic may fail to anticipate river behaviour and recovery trajectories.

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Section: Hydrogeomorphic Connectivitymentioning

confidence: 99%