Loss of vertical connectivity

Loss of vertical connectivity

04. Morphological alterations

General description

Vertical fragmentation can be produced by physical processes that reduce river bed permeability such as siltation of the riverbed surface and clogging of pore spaces within stream bed gravels (Hancock 2002). This may result from increased delivery of fine sediment to the river as a result of for example changes in land use or agricultural practices, as well from reduced flow energy, for example due to flow regulation. In either case, the balance between sediment supply and sediment transport is disrupted, leading to the accumulation of fine sediments within the river bed (Kondolf and Wilcock, 1996). In addition, physical modification of river channels, such as straightening and simplifying channel form (Kondolf et al., 2006) may reduce water depth and retention within the channel, adversely affecting vertical connectivity.

Riparian and floodplain soils may lose their infiltration capacity (vertical connectivity with groundwater) as a result of urban development, road and pavement construction, the weight of vehicle traffic, soil trampling, and recreational activities.

Effect/Impact on (including literature citations)

• HYMO (general and specified per HYMO element)
• physico - chemical parameters
• Biota (general and specified per Biological quality elements)

Case studies where this pressure is present

• Heessen_-_Optimisation_of_the_pSCI_“Lippe_floodplain_between_Hamm_and_Hangfort”_(LIFE05/NAT/D/000057)
• Ahlen-Dolberg_-_Optimisation_of_the_pSCI_“Lippe_floodplain_between_Hamm_and_Hangfort”_(LIFE05/NAT/D/000057)
• Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen_-_Living_Rhine_floodplain_near_Karlsruhe_(LIFE04_NAT/DE/000025
• Klebach_-_Side_channel
• Bakenhof_-_Dyke_relocation
• Niederwerrieser_Weg_-_Optimisation_of_the_pSCI_“Lippe_floodplain_between_Hamm_and_Hangfort”_(LIFE05/NAT/D/000057)
• Soest_-_Optimisation_of_the_pSCI_“Lippe_floodplain_between_Hamm_and_Hangfort”_(LIFE05/NAT/D/000057)
• Bouxweerd
• Sella
• Asseltse_Plassen_-_Bank_erosion
• Beneden-Leeuwen_-_Side_channel
• Vreugderijkerwaard_-_Side_channel
• Uilenkamp
• Oberwerries_-_Optimisation_of_the_pSCI_“Lippe_floodplain_between_Hamm_and_Hangfort”_(LIFE05/NAT/D/000057)
• Buiten_Ooij_-_Sluice_operation_
• Karlsruhe_–_Living_Rhine_floodplain_near_Karlsruhe_(LIFE04_NAT/DE/000025)
• IJssel
• River_Cole_EU-LIFE
• Hampshire_Avon_-_Hale
• Restoration_and_remeandering_of_the_Müggelspree_-_downstream_Mönchwinkel
• Drava_-_River_Widening_Amlach/St._Peter
• Drava_-_River_Widening_Obergottesfeld
• Drava_-_River_Widening_Rosenheim
• Meuse_-_Overdiepse_Polder
• Rhine_-_Ontpoldering_Noordwaard
• Drava_-_Kleblach
• Thur_
• Töss
• KUIVAJOKI

Possible restoration, rehabilitation and mitigation measures

• Prevent sediment accumulation in reservoirs
• Favour morphogenic flows
• Reduce erosion
• Remove sediments
• Adjust land use to reduce nutrient, sediment input or shore erosion

Useful references

Hancock, P.J., 2002. Human impacts on the stream–groundwater exchange zone. Environmental Management 29: 763–781. Kondolf, G. M., and P. R. Wilcock 1996. The flushing flow problem: defining and evaluating objectives. Water Resources Research 32: 2589-2599. Kondolf, G. M., A. J. Boulton, S. O'Daniel, G. C. Poole, F. J. Rahel, E. H. Stanley, E. Wohl, A. Bång, J. Carlstrom, C. Cristoni, H. Huber, S. Koljonen, P. Louhi, and K. Nakamura. 2006. Process-based ecological river restoration: visualizing three-dimensional connectivity and dynamic vectors to recover lost linkages. Ecology and Society 11(2): 5. http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol11/iss2/art5/