The project raises awareness of fundamental concepts in fluvial geomorphology and its importance in determining the habitat that river ecosystems rely on and its role in natural flood management (NFM). The work also aimed to promote best practice for managing and restoring the geomorphology of rivers. The project was completed by a team from the James Hutton Institute and the University of Stirling.
A Scottish Rivers Handbook has been written as a result of the work. This handbook provides an overview of the geomorphic character of Scotland’s rivers. It introduces the different basic components; water, sediment, dead and living vegetation, which constantly interact to shape the character of the river landscape. It investigates processes of water and sediment movement from hill slopes to river channels, answering questions around why rivers are the size and shape that they are, and the dynamics of their movement.
- provide an overview of the physical character of Scotland’s rivers
- introduce the different basic components: water, sediment, dead and living vegetation
- investigate processes of water and sediment movement from hill slopes to river channels
- explain why rivers are the size and shape that they are, and the dynamics of their movement.