Abstract
Riverine flood plains are dynamic systems characterized by a diverse array of aquatic habitats and a rich biota adapted to the high spatio-temporal heterogeneity (Tockner and Stanford, 2002). Hydrological processes interacting with geomorphic features play a major role in sustaining high levels of habitat heterogeneity within river corridors (Ward et al., 2002). Seasonal changes in discharge result in expansion/contraction of channel networks, accompanied by changes in hydrologic connectivity between floodplain waterbodies and between surface waters and groundwater aquifers, thereby forming a dynamic mosaic of shifting water sources and flow paths (Stanley et al., 1997; Malard et al. 1999; Tockner et al., 2002). Although the “flood pulse” (sensu Junk et al., 1989) is widely recognized as the major force structuring floodplain habitat conditions, even moderate increases in discharge (“flow pulses”) may result in dramatic expansion of inundated area and can be important in sustaining habitat heterogeneity in river flood plains (Tockner et al., 2000).
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Tockner, K., Malard, F. (2003). Channel Typology. In: Ward, J.V., Uehlinger, U. (eds) Ecology of a Glacial Flood Plain. Aquatic Ecology Series, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-0181-5_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-017-0181-5_4
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
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