River Channel Characteristics Research Articles

The relations that have been recorded among modern climatic, phytologic, and hydrologic data are used to speculate about the effects of evolving vegetation on the hydrologic cycle. At present the peak of erosion rates occurs in semiarid regions, whereas during prevegetation time erosion rates rose to a plateau, the magnitude of which depended upon the erodibility and weathering characteristics of the rocks. With the appearance of terrestrial vegetation and its colonization of the earth's surface, erosion rates decreased, as did runoff and flood peaks. A review of the relations existing between the morphologic and hydrologic characteristics of river channels demonstrates that fluvial sedimentary deposits are significantly different depending upon the nature of the sediment load moved through the channel. Combining the conclusions obtained from an analysis of hydrologic relations with conclusions concerning effects of type of sediment load upon river morphology, it is possible to speculate on the changing nature of the land phase of the hydrologic cycle before and during the colonization of the landscape by vegetation. During prevegetation time, bed-load channels moved coarse sediments from their sources and spread them as sheets on piedmont areas. With increased plant cover, alluvial deposits were stabilized, but large floods caused periodic flushing of sediment from the system, thereby creating cyclic sedimentary deposits. The influence of climate change on the volume and type of sediment moved from an erosional system became more pronounced as the effect of vegetation on the hydrologic cycle increased. Finally, with the appearance of grasses during the Cenozoic Era, the relations between climate, vegetation, erosion, and runoff became much as today except for the influence of man.

Read full abstract