Abstract
Eco-geomorphology is an interdisciplinary approach to the study of
river systems that integrates hydrology, fluvial geomorphology and ecology.
This approach facilitates a new understanding of river systems by bridging
dominant paradigms from individual disciplines. Each discipline views river
systems from a spatial and temporal perspective, but we suggest that one of
the main impediments to ftirther expansion of interdisciplinary study is the
mismatch of scales between disciplines. A hierarchical and integrative
framework for interdisciplinary study is required and would overcomes scale
issues by matching a problem with a river system process to identify causal
explanations at the correct spatial and temporal scales. We use the example of
environmental flows to demonstrate the utility of an eco-geomorphological
approach for identification of characteristic scales of hydrological,
geomorphological and ecological influence in the Condamine-Balonne River.
river systems that integrates hydrology, fluvial geomorphology and ecology.
This approach facilitates a new understanding of river systems by bridging
dominant paradigms from individual disciplines. Each discipline views river
systems from a spatial and temporal perspective, but we suggest that one of
the main impediments to ftirther expansion of interdisciplinary study is the
mismatch of scales between disciplines. A hierarchical and integrative
framework for interdisciplinary study is required and would overcomes scale
issues by matching a problem with a river system process to identify causal
explanations at the correct spatial and temporal scales. We use the example of
environmental flows to demonstrate the utility of an eco-geomorphological
approach for identification of characteristic scales of hydrological,
geomorphological and ecological influence in the Condamine-Balonne River.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | The Structure, Function and Management Implications of Fluvial Sedimentary Systems |
| Subtitle of host publication | Proceedings of an international symposium held at Alice Springs. Australia, September 2002 |
| Editors | Fiona J. Dyer, Martin C. Thoms, Jon M. Olley |
| Place of Publication | Oxfordshire |
| Publisher | IAHS Press |
| Pages | 113-119 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Volume | 276 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9781901502961 |
| Publication status | Published - 2002 |