Geomorphic characterization of a seasonal river network in semi-arid western India using the River Styles Framework
The imprint of geologic, climatic and anthropogenic memory as controls on geomorphic river diversity is assessed for twelve River Styles in the Sabarmati Catchment. Geologic controls are the primary determinant of river character and behavior in the hinterland and pediment landscape units, where hea...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Asian Earth Sciences: X |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590056021000347 |
| _version_ | 1818238415348432896 |
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| author | Sonam Vikrant Jain Kirstie Fryirs Gary Brierley |
| author_facet | Sonam Vikrant Jain Kirstie Fryirs Gary Brierley |
| author_sort | Sonam |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The imprint of geologic, climatic and anthropogenic memory as controls on geomorphic river diversity is assessed for twelve River Styles in the Sabarmati Catchment. Geologic controls are the primary determinant of river character and behavior in the hinterland and pediment landscape units, where headwater streams transition to partly confined valleys and gorges with distinct structural lineations in a rectangular drainage network. Climate memory imprints entrenched rivers that make up alluvial fan and alluvial plain landscape units of the mid-lower catchment, shaped by phases of sediment aggradation and subsequent incision in response to enhanced monsoonal rains around 10 ka. Terraces constrain channels within confined and partly confined valleys with occasional and discontinuous floodplains respectively. Laterally unconfined channels are only found in the lower parts of the catchment, immediately upstream of the estuary/delta. Limited space for adjustment, impacts of flow regulation and ephemeral conditions restrict the range of contemporary river morphodynamics, but ridges and swales and abandoned channels on floodplains indicate more dynamic conditions in the past. Impacts of anthropogenic memory are most pronounced in the stopbank-controlled, barrage- and dam-impacted reaches, especially in the cities of Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. An explanation of controls upon geomorphic river diversity, including an assessment of the role of stream power, presents a coherent platform to develop geomorphologically-informed approaches to river management. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T12:41:17Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-21406f57221a44999bcbf12f3f82dd16 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2590-0560 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T12:41:17Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Asian Earth Sciences: X |
| spelling | doaj.art-21406f57221a44999bcbf12f3f82dd162022-12-22T00:24:13ZengElsevierJournal of Asian Earth Sciences: X2590-05602022-06-017100077Geomorphic characterization of a seasonal river network in semi-arid western India using the River Styles Framework Sonam0Vikrant Jain1Kirstie Fryirs2Gary Brierley3Discipline of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, 382355, IndiaDiscipline of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, 382355, India; Corresponding author.Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, AustraliaSchool of Environment, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand; Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, AustraliaThe imprint of geologic, climatic and anthropogenic memory as controls on geomorphic river diversity is assessed for twelve River Styles in the Sabarmati Catchment. Geologic controls are the primary determinant of river character and behavior in the hinterland and pediment landscape units, where headwater streams transition to partly confined valleys and gorges with distinct structural lineations in a rectangular drainage network. Climate memory imprints entrenched rivers that make up alluvial fan and alluvial plain landscape units of the mid-lower catchment, shaped by phases of sediment aggradation and subsequent incision in response to enhanced monsoonal rains around 10 ka. Terraces constrain channels within confined and partly confined valleys with occasional and discontinuous floodplains respectively. Laterally unconfined channels are only found in the lower parts of the catchment, immediately upstream of the estuary/delta. Limited space for adjustment, impacts of flow regulation and ephemeral conditions restrict the range of contemporary river morphodynamics, but ridges and swales and abandoned channels on floodplains indicate more dynamic conditions in the past. Impacts of anthropogenic memory are most pronounced in the stopbank-controlled, barrage- and dam-impacted reaches, especially in the cities of Gandhinagar and Ahmedabad. An explanation of controls upon geomorphic river diversity, including an assessment of the role of stream power, presents a coherent platform to develop geomorphologically-informed approaches to river management.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590056021000347River diversityDryland riverGeologic memoryClimate changeAnthropogenic impactRiver management |
| spellingShingle | Sonam Vikrant Jain Kirstie Fryirs Gary Brierley Geomorphic characterization of a seasonal river network in semi-arid western India using the River Styles Framework Journal of Asian Earth Sciences: X River diversity Dryland river Geologic memory Climate change Anthropogenic impact River management |
| title | Geomorphic characterization of a seasonal river network in semi-arid western India using the River Styles Framework |
| title_full | Geomorphic characterization of a seasonal river network in semi-arid western India using the River Styles Framework |
| title_fullStr | Geomorphic characterization of a seasonal river network in semi-arid western India using the River Styles Framework |
| title_full_unstemmed | Geomorphic characterization of a seasonal river network in semi-arid western India using the River Styles Framework |
| title_short | Geomorphic characterization of a seasonal river network in semi-arid western India using the River Styles Framework |
| title_sort | geomorphic characterization of a seasonal river network in semi arid western india using the river styles framework |
| topic | River diversity Dryland river Geologic memory Climate change Anthropogenic impact River management |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590056021000347 |
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