Another reason urban streams are stuffed: geomorphic history, challenges and opportunities

Abstract

Urbanisation influences a range of factors related to stream health, including the hydrologic regime and water quality. There is also a significant, but lesser known, impact on the physical form and functioning of stream channels. Most urban geomorphic research and management have focused on channel widening and deepening arising from a primary concern with flow efficiency and channel stability. However, changes in channel dimensions in themselves are unlikely to be primary drivers of change in biotic structure and function. Alongside efforts to address water quality and hydrologic stressors on stream biota and biological processes identifying geomorphic attributes, that are known to affect stream ecological structure and function in non-urban settings, may assist in achieving restoration goals in urban streams through both catchment and in stream actions. This geomorphologically-sensitive approach to urban stream management requires a significantly greater understanding of the links between urbanisation and geomorphic features and functions, and recognition of the relevant constraints within the urban environment including: flashy hydrology, reduced sediment supply, limited space, legacy impacts and social and institutional perceptions.

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