Author(s): Davide Vanzo; Nicolas Pava; Andrew Tranmer; Daniel White

Linked Author(s): Davide Vanzo

Keywords: Floodplain vegetation; Channel morphology; Aquatic habitat; Refuge; Hydrodynamics; Modelling

Abstract: Habitat availability and hydraulic refuge are essential for juvenile fish to ensure future breeding populations, yet the influence of floodplain vegetation on habitats and refuge across flow conditions is not well understood. Using mobile-bed flume experiments and two-dimensional habitat modeling, we assess how floodplain vegetation density affects in-channel hydro-morphological characteristics. Habitat metrics show strong, non- linear differences among vegetation scenarios, particularly at intermediate discharges (3–30 m³/s). These explorative results highlight the broader influence of floodplain vegetation on channel hydraulic heterogeneity and underscore the need for further work across species and metrics to support more effective river management.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64697/iahr.proc.ise2026.abs.262

Year: 2026