High-resolution measurements of vegetation-topography feedbacks

What is it about?

We characterize relationships between river topography and the structure of cottonwood and tamarisk using high-resolution imaging for a river in the American Southwest. We test which vegetation attributes best predict patch-scale topographic features. We find that the density of plants predicts characteristics of landform shape at scales ranging from patches of plants to a larger river reach. Our study documents relationships between vegetation structure and river topography and infers which vegetation-flow interactions are most likely responsible for vegetation-related topographic development in channels similar to the one studied.

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Why is it important?

Understanding relationships between vegetation and topography has basic-science importance, for understanding how rivers and their ecosystems work, and applied importance, for understanding flooding, invasive species, and river management. Riparian vegetation growing within river channels affects flow velocities, which can affect topography as sediment is eroded or deposited in association with vegetation. Here we use high-resolution, laser-based surveying to develop insights into relationships between plants and topography along rivers.