Vegetation as one of the factors of morphological changes in regulated riverbeds

Abstract

Morphological changes of natural and regulated riverbeds have strong influence on economy development in the zones close to the riverbanks. Understanding of these processes and possibility of prediction are the basis for safe usage of areas close to the riverbanks. River Toplica bed regulation is chosen as experimental section for investigation of morphological changes. Steady survey profiles were established after finishing the regulation works, as basic points for further observations of changes in the riverbed. Water level recorder was positioned a few hundred meters down the stream. Main causes for morphological development along the riverbed were determined on the basis of changes in geometry of cross-section profiles and water level. Influence of vegetation cover in the riverbanks and hydro-dynamic characteristics of the flow have been analyzed.

Keywords

• fluvial erosion
• vegetation
• regulation
• morphological changes