DESIGNING URBAN RIVERS TO MAXIMISE THEIR GEOMORPHIC AND ECOLOGIC DIVERSITY

Authors

  • Melissa Neave
  • Scott Rayburg

Keywords:

Pools and riffles, geodiversity, channelization, asymmetry

Abstract

River geomorphic complexity is vital to support abundant and diverse ecological assemblages in
river environments. With the ever increasing population of global cities, and the consequent spread of urbanized
land, pressures on engineers and land planners to modify and control urban rivers channels could be detrimental
to their ecological diversity. This research project provides an analysis of the geomorphic complexity and
heterogeneity of an urban stream. The study compares different sections of Orphan School Creek in western
Sydney, Australia to investigate how channelization and/or alternations in riparian vegetation impact on
geomorphic heterogeneity. The sections of Orphan School Creek examined range from freely meandering to
fully concrete channelized reaches. The results of this research project clearly show that urbanization has
detrimental effects on the geomorphic complexity of urban streams, due to both catchment urbanization and
channelization. Through the analysis of Orphan School Creek it was concluded that channelization reduces river
geomorphic complexity, with concrete channels providing little or no geomorphic complexity or diversity.
However, if managed and/or designed with a view towards optimising geomorphic complexity, urban rivers can
attain meaningful ecological benefits while still being controlled to prevent damage to the urban environment
from flooding and/or erosion.

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Published

2021-11-21

How to Cite

Melissa Neave, & Scott Rayburg. (2021). DESIGNING URBAN RIVERS TO MAXIMISE THEIR GEOMORPHIC AND ECOLOGIC DIVERSITY. GEOMATE Journal, 11(25), 2468–2473. Retrieved from https://geomatejournal.com/geomate/article/view/2738