Effects of vegetation distribution along river transects on the morphology of a gravel bed braided river

The interaction between vegetation, sediment, and water flow creates various fluvial landscapes. Hydrological conditions and flood disturbances, as well as the habitat preference of vegetation, regulate its spatial distribution. To describe the spatial distribution of vegetation cover, here, we focus on vegetation distributions along river transverse transects that define vertical and horizontal distances from water areas during low flow periods. As one of the most dynamic river types, braided rivers can be significantly influenced by vegetation encroachment. However, the effects of vegetation distributions along river transects on braided river morphology remain unknown. To study the potential influence of vegetation distribution along river transects, a depth-averaged, hydro-morphodynamic model was employed. Using the model, we investigated a medium-sized, braided river with a gravel bed affected by riparian vegetation. The following scenarios of vegetation transect distributions were examined: (1) vegetation established near or covering the low water channel, and (2) vegetation established on bar tops and kept at a distance from the low water channel. The model successfully reproduced a reduction in the braiding index for a vegetated braided river. Depending on the transect distribution scenarios employed, significantly different effects for river morphology were obtained. For example, compared to vegetation on bar tops, vegetation located near the low water channel played a more critical role for changing river morphology, redirecting water flow, and changing the statistical characteristics of the riverbed elevation distribution. Vegetation near the low water channel not only concentrated water flow to low water channels but also redirected flow to the high elevation area by reducing low water channel flow capacity. The revealed effects of the vegetation transect distribution on river morphology development helped to determine effective management protocols for reducing the negative impact of vegetation encroachment.

Automated summary

The interaction between vegetation, sediment, and water flow in fluvial landscapes is regulated by hydrological conditions, flood disturbances, and vegetation habitat preferences. This study focuses on the spatial distribution of vegetation cover along river transects during low flow periods. Using a hydro-morphodynamic model, the effects of different vegetation transect distributions on the morphological development of a vegetated braided river were investigated. The model successfully reproduced changes in the river's braiding index, showing that vegetation near the low water channel played a critical role in redirecting water flow and changing the statistical characteristics of the riverbed elevation distribution.