Sediment Dynamics and the Hydromorphology of Fluvial Systems

Analysing the magnitude–frequency relations of erosion, transport and deposition processes is a classic theme within fluvial research. Hydromorphology, dealing with the physical structure and formative hydrological processes of fluvial systems is also an established concept, but has been given new currency by its prominent role within the European Union’s Water Framework Directive. This volume links sediment dynamics to hydromorphology, and by extension to the biogeochemical functioning and eco-hydrology of fluvial systems. Fluvial sediment dynamics are explored over a range of spatial and temporal scales, spanning global and continental-scale flux rates to detailed, process-oriented work on small instrumented catchments, with particular to the role of extreme events. The process links between hydromorphology and ecology are examined and management-related studies are detailed. The utility of sedimentary archives for reconstructing long-term catchment sediment fluxes and elucidating the impact of land use and climate change processes on sediment delivery and biogeochemical cycling is also a focus. The critical issue of residence time, especially in relation to channel storage, is explored. Flume-based hydraulics and microcosm studies of diffuse pollutant behaviour and other recent developments in experiment-led research and modelling are reported.