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Murray Scown photo

Murray Scown

Associate Senior Lecturer

Murray Scown photo

The ecohydrology of stream networks

Author

  • Celeste Harris
  • Martin C. Thoms
  • Murray Scown

Summary, in English

Stream ordering approaches to the study of entire stream networks are relatively simple and provide only crude estimations of the physical makeup of river ecosystems. These fail to acknowledge the importance of the hierarchical organisation of rivers and consequently use very crude variables when characterising stream networks. We provide an alternative typology for characterising the physical structure of rivers, which focuses on a specific level within the geomorphic river hierarchy, and employs a set of regional, catchment and valley criteria for developing a quantitative river characterisation scheme. Fifteen geomorphic variables were extracted from digital data using automated geographic information system modules and evaluated using a series of multivariate analyses. This allowed distinct river types within a stream network to emerge. Our approach was demonstrated in the Ovens River, Australia. The physical structure of the Ovens River stream network was further analysed using a series of community metrics: richness, composition and diversity of river types.

Publishing year

2009

Language

English

Pages

127-136

Publication/Series

IAHS-AISH publication

Volume

328

Document type

Conference paper

Publisher

IAHS Press

Topic

  • Oceanography, Hydrology, Water Resources

Keywords

  • Complex systems
  • Geographic information system (GIS)
  • Physical diversity
  • River characterisation
  • Riverine networks

Conference name

Symposium JS.1 at the Joint Convention of the International Association of Hydrological Sciences, IAHS and the International Association of Hydrogeologists, IAH

Conference date

2009-09-06 - 2009-09-12

Conference place

Hyderabad, India

Status

Published

ISBN/ISSN/Other

  • ISSN: 0144-7815
  • ISBN: 9781901502992