Preface to the Special Issue of the Journal of Hydrology (New Zealand): Sediment flux, morphology and river management

摘要

Analysis of sediment flux, and its relations to river morphology, is a fundamental com-ponent of pro-active river management. In simple terms, if the geomorphic structure and function of a river are changed, so too are a host of biological and geochemical attributes of that river. Hence, effective management of sediment flux has important implications for the availability and viability of aquatic habitat; water quality and nutrient processing relationships; flooding and sedimentation hazards; and riparian vegetation associations. It is with these concerns in mind that activities such as flow regulation, land-use change and resource extraction along rivers should be framed. A better understanding and appropriate management of fluvial sediment processes and morphologies assume even greater importance today with the shadow of potential climate change and its effects on hydrologic and earth-surface processes, and society's concerns about flood risk and protection of the inherent values of river systems.