Earth Surface Processes and Landforms · 1993 · 336 citations · 10 references
Natural ResourcesEcologyPhysical GeographyRiparian Buffer SystemsSediment TransportSedimentologyChannel MorphodynamicsChannel MorphologyFluvial Sediment TransportRiver Channel MorphologySediment DynamicsSediment RetentionChannel MigrationChannel Sediment StorageChannel-sediment InteractionsFluvial Channel MigrationLateral MigrationRiparian Forest StructureRiver Channel MorphodynamicsSediment Storage
The study examined how coarse woody debris affects channel morphology and sediment storage across five stream sites ranging from first‑ to fifth‑order. In third‑ to fifth‑order streams, coarse woody debris widened and steepened channels, regulated width and gradient, and promoted lateral migration, but sediment storage was temporary with annual release, whereas in steep, bedrock‑confined first‑ to second‑order streams interaction was limited except when debris broke into pieces smaller than channel width.
Abstract Effects of coarse woody debris (CWD) on channel morphology and sediment storage were investigated at five sites, representative of first‐order to fifth‐order streams. In the steep and bedrock‐confined stream (first‐second order), interaction between the channel and CWD was limited, except where breakage upon falling produced CWD pieces shorter than channel width. Channel widening, steepening and sediment storage associated with CWD were observed predominantly in third‐ to fifth‐order streams. Variation in channel width and gradient was regulated by CWD. In the fifth‐order stream, most of the CWD pieces derived from the riparian forest interacted directly with the channel without being suspended by sideslopes. In this system CWD promoted lateral channel migration, but sediment storage was temporary, with annual release and capture.
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