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A conceptual model of riparian forest restoration for natural flood management
Author(s) -
Dixon Simon J.,
Sear David A.,
Nislow Keith H.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
water and environment journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1747-6593
pISSN - 1747-6585
DOI - 10.1111/wej.12425
Subject(s) - riparian zone , riparian forest , environmental science , flood myth , woodland , forest management , channel (broadcasting) , floodplain , fluvial , forest restoration , agroforestry , coarse woody debris , environmental resource management , geography , hydrology (agriculture) , ecology , forest ecology , habitat , ecosystem , geology , computer science , computer network , geotechnical engineering , archaeology , biology , paleontology , cartography , structural basin
There is an increasing emphasis on using natural processes, including riparian forest restoration, to enhance the ecological, hydrological and geomorphological functioning of watercourses. However, we have insufficient knowledge on how the supply and retention of in‐channel wood from riparian forest stands changes with age, with inferences typically based on data from terrestrial forests. This presents a challenge in estimating the efficacy and functional lifespan of restoration projects. In this paper, we use a riparian forest growth model to show there is a lag of up to 40–50 years between the start of forest growth and trees delivering wood to the channel that is large enough to resist fluvial transport, anchor logjams and so increase channel complexity and hydraulic resistance. Resource managers need to account for realistic timescales over which changes promoted by riparian woodland restoration will occur and may need to consider using interim engineered logjams as the forest develops.