GG231 Lecture Notes - Lecture 13: Anastomosis
Document Summary
Natural processes and services of floods: fertile land, oneofthebenefitsoffloodsisthedepositionofmaterialinthefloodplain. dependingon the rate of flow, different size particles of sediment are transported and subsequently deposited as the river slows when it floods its banks. Many old settlements can be traced back to location along floodplains that took advantage of the fertility of floodplain soil. Human disruption of river flow and discharge can seriously impact on sediment deposition and consequently the fertility of floodplains: aquatic systems, floodsalsoactasastreamchannelscrubber,removingthebuild-upofdebrisfrom erosion and concentration of organic material in the stream channel during lower periods of flow. This will improve the habitat quality and oxygen levels in streams, in turn enhancing the aquatic habitat for fish and other aquatic species. Overall, this can positively impact on the river system for recreation, fishing and other natural pursuits. The material that is flushed out will enhance aquatic systems downstream as well: sediment supply, changesinsupplyofsedimentcanimpacthumanstructuresandsettlementsdownstream.
