Author(s): Eunkyung Jang; Woochul Kang; Un Ji
Linked Author(s): woochul kang, Un Ji, EunKyung Jang
Keywords: 3D Terrestrial Lidar Scanning Real-scale experiment Remote Sensing Riparian vegetation River morphodynamics Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Abstract: Riparian vegetation significantly impacts riverbed morphology, flow dynamics, and channel evolution, shaping aquatic and riparian ecosystems. With vegetation cover ratios exceeding half in many river systems due to climate change, understanding the complex interactions between vegetation, flow, and sediment dynamics is critical. Vegetation modifies flow patterns and sediment transport, enhancing physical heterogeneity by promoting deposition within vegetation patches and driving erosion in adjacent channels. This study synthesizes findings from hydraulic experiments and remote sensing analyses to comprehensively evaluate riparian vegetation's role in river environments. The hydraulic experiments investigated sediment dynamics around vegetation patches under variable sediment supply and flow conditions. In the real-scale experiment channel, using a 3D Terrestrial Lidar Scanning and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, we quantified topographic changes before and after experiments, highlighting how vegetation density, flow velocity, and sediment supply govern erosion and deposition patterns. Concurrently, remote sensing-based studies analyzed vegetation-induced alterations to flow patterns and channel morphology under controlled and natural settings. Flow velocity and turbulence within and around vegetation patches were measured to elucidate the feedback mechanisms influencing riverbed changes. By integrating these approaches, the study identifies key factors controlling vegetation-sediment interactions and their implications for river geomorphology and habitat formation. The findings enhance our understanding of vegetation-induced morphological processes and offer critical insights for sustainable river management and restoration strategies in the context of climate change.
Year: 2025