Linking environmental flows to sediment dynamics

De Jalón, Diego García; Bussettini, Martina; Rinaldi, Massimo; Grant, Gordon; Friberg, Nikolai; Cowx, Ian G.; Magdaleno, Fernando; Buijse, Tom

Abstract

© 2017 The Authors. This is a policy discussion paper aimed at addressing possible alternative approaches for environmental flows (e- Flows) assessment and identification within the context of best strategies for fluvial restoration. We focus on dammed rivers in Mediterranean regions. Fluvial species and their ecological integrity are the result of their evolutionary adaptation to river habitats. Flowingwater is themain driver for development and maintenance of these habitats,which is why e-Flows are needed where societal demands are depleting water resources. Fluvial habitats are also shaped by the combined interaction ofwater, sediments,woody/organicmaterial, and riparian vegetation.Water abstraction, flowregulation by dams, gravel pits or siltation by fine sediments eroded fromhillslopes are pressures that can disturb interactions among water, sediments, and other constituents that create the habitats needed by fluvial communities. Present e-Flow design criteria are based only on water flow requirements. Here we argue that sediment dynamics need to be considered when specifying instream flows, thereby expanding the environmental objectives and definition of e-Flows to include sediments (extended e-Flows). To this aim, a hydromorphological framework for e-Flows assessment and identification of best strategies for fluvial restoration, including the context of rivers regulated by large dams, is presented.

Citation

De Jalón, D. G., Bussettini, M., Rinaldi, M., Grant, G., Friberg, N., Cowx, I. G., Magdaleno, F., & Buijse, T. (2017). Linking environmental flows to sediment dynamics. Water policy : official journal of the World Water Council, 19(2), 358-375. https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2016.106

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 15, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Dec 5, 2016
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: Oct 29, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 30, 2018
• Journal: Water Policy
• Print ISSN: 1366-7017
• Publisher: IWA Publishing
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 358-375
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2016.106
• Keywords: Ecological status; Environmental flows (e-Flows); Flow regulation; Hydromorphology (HYMO); Large dam; River management; Sediments
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/529080
• Publisher URL: https://iwaponline.com/wp/article/19/2/358-375/20566
• Contract Date: Oct 30, 2018