The influence of riparian vegetation cover on diffuse lateral sediment connectivity and biogeomorphic processes in a medium-sized agricultural catchment, Austria

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)

POEPPL, R.E.

Dep. of Geography and Regional Research Univ., Vienna, Autriche

KEILER, M.

Inst. of Geography, Univ., Bern, Suisse

VON ELVERFELDT, K.

Dep. of Geography and Regional Studies, Alpen-Adria-Univ., Klagenfurt, Autriche

ZWEIMUELLER, I.

Dep. of Evolutionary Biology, Univ., Vienna, Autriche

GLADE, T.

Dep. of Geography and Regional Research Univ., Vienna, Autriche

Description :
This paper assesses the influence of riparian vegetation cover type on diffuse lateral sediment connectivity on valley floors and investigates biogeomorphic processes acting in forested riparian zones of a medium-sized agricultural catchment. Governing processes and factors are assessed using GIS-based overland flow pathway modelling and geomorphic field surveys together with multivariate statistics. The results reveal that diffuse lateral sediment connectivity is highly influenced by the respective type of riparian vegetation cover. Forested riparian zones significantly reduce sediment inputs and act as strong disconnectors between the catchment area and the river channel. Topographical features called root dams emerge from biogeomorphic processes in forested riparian zones and act as buffers that limit the connectivity between landscape compartments.

Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Geografiska annaler. Series A. Physical geography, issn : 0435-3676, 2012, vol. 94, n°. 4, p. 511-529, nombre de pages : 19, Références bibliographiques : 57 ref.

Date :
2012

Editeur :
Pays édition : Suede, Stockholm, Svenska sällskapet för antropologi och geografi

Langue :
Anglais