Author(s): William Higgisson; Brian Higgisson; Fiona Dyer
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: No Keywords
Abstract: Floodplains and their associated wetlands are important features of semi-arid and arid riverine landscapes[1]. Floodplains are characterised by large changes in water availability driven by episodic flood pulses[2]. Inundation by flooding maintains the ecological integrity, form, and functioning of floodplains, by providing water to the floodplain. This facilitates the exchange of water, living organisms and resources (inorganic and organic matter) between the main channel of the river and the floodplain[3]. The flow regime of Australian rivers is neither annual nor wholly seasonal, but is related to unpredictable rainfall patterns and thus floodplain inundation is typically irregular and erratic in time and space[4]. Inundation varies spatially across floodplains with surface topography producing varied depths and duration of inundation[5]. This temporal and spatial variability in flooding, creates habitat heterogeneity on floodplains, and structures community assemblages[6]. This natural variability also creates more challenges with the detection of significant human-caused hydrological trends against this highly variable flow background.
Year: 2018