Final Report Summary - FLUMEN (Fluvial processes and sediment dynamics of slope channel systems: Impacts of socio economic-and climate change on river system characteristics and related services)
Summary description of the project objectives
The FLUMEN project focused on the ecological and morphological characteristics of river channels and related processes of erosion, sediment transport and deposition under changing boundary conditions described by socio economic and climate change scenarios. We studied effects of these changes on river systems at different spatial and temporal scales. The specific focus of the project is addressing the interface between the river channel and related slope systems. We investigated also the historic evolution of river systems and simulated future developments using scenarios.
The main projects scopes were:
1. Exchange of experience, methods and knowledge in fluvio-morphologic processes research.
2. Developing and harmonization of tools and models for monitoring and management of hillslope-river channel-systems.
3. Assessment of hydro-morphological processes, and pressures across multiple temporal and spatial scales in different European river systems;
We examined the links between erosive processes and hydro-morphology in the context of integrated river basin management, considering the interactions with other elements of the whole system such as anthropogenic pressures and environmental changes. The new tools helped to assess the processes dynamics at the interface between hydro-geomorphological river processes and slope systems in a qualitative way. Moreover, new innovative techniques have been adapted and applied that allow a quantification of the processes. The methodological focus was laid on remote sensing, aerial photography, field measurements with total stations, GPS, statistical analysis, all integrated in a GIS.
We reached these targets as a multidisciplinary team across Europe, sharing knowledge, developing new approaches and applying them in different environments. We explicitly aimed at identifying and integrating the different and overlapping conceptual understandings of scientists from the different disciplines carrying out joined research in this project.
Description of the work performed since the beginning of the project
The incoming and outgoing secondments conducted within the FLUMEN framework allowed the development of a common methodology to assess the above mentioned processes at the interface between fluvial and slope domains. The seconded researchers were integrated in already running projects of the related partners or developed new joined projects. A mayor emphasis was lain on the field work activity and the analysis of the achieved data. We provided a platform to exchange our expertise in the assessment of slope and fluvial processes in a variety of joined collaborations with varying partners. The results of the single projects and the approaches that were applied in the different study areas were presented at different symposia and conferences like EGU 2014, IGU 2015, EGU 2015, EGU 2016. Finally, more than 50 joined papers were prepared and submitted during the project life time and more than 45 of them accepted in peer reviewed mainly international journals.
Description of the main results achieved so far
The main results achieved so far can be summarized as follows:
i) We provided a common infrastructure to store and manage the relevant environmental data for the single test sites. Therefore, we set up a WebGIS database structure that allows access to the data via our webpage www.flumen-irses.eu.
ii) Moreover, we collected (based on the expertise of the participating researchers) a selection of different methodological approaches to assess river and slope dynamics in terms of runoff and sediment budget.
iii) This toolbox was used during the field work and thereafter for the post-processing of data and modelling of the relevant processes. Additional to FLUMEN fieldwork activity a lot of fieldschools and workshops have been organized by the partners where parts of the methodological toolbox were applied.
iv) Especially slope processes like soil erosion and landsliding were assessed in different environmental contexts of Eurasian landscapes.
v) Additionally also sediment transport and fluvial processes were studied in detail
vi) We published more than 45 articles in peer reviewed, mainly international journals
Expected final results and their potential impact and use
Based on the general analyses of deliverables, constraints and experience, we identified schematically the analytical framework of the sediment budget tools (conceptual framework). This consists of: (a) identification and mapping of catchment sediment sources on specific sub-basins; (b) quantification of the contribution of sediment source areas by processing remote sensing and auxiliary data in a GIS framework; (c) detailed investigation and processing of the sediment transport data for the evaluation of the contribution of various sub-basins; (d) carrying out the balance calculation and developing the sediment budget. In WP3.1 the general conceptual framework of the sediment budget toolbox is documented in detail. The toolbox provides specific approaches at different scales. We tested the various approaches in the study areas. Hence, the methods were evaluated against each other where possible.
The FLUMEN project focused on the ecological and morphological characteristics of river channels and related processes of erosion, sediment transport and deposition under changing boundary conditions described by socio economic and climate change scenarios. We studied effects of these changes on river systems at different spatial and temporal scales. The specific focus of the project is addressing the interface between the river channel and related slope systems. We investigated also the historic evolution of river systems and simulated future developments using scenarios.
The main projects scopes were:
1. Exchange of experience, methods and knowledge in fluvio-morphologic processes research.
2. Developing and harmonization of tools and models for monitoring and management of hillslope-river channel-systems.
3. Assessment of hydro-morphological processes, and pressures across multiple temporal and spatial scales in different European river systems;
We examined the links between erosive processes and hydro-morphology in the context of integrated river basin management, considering the interactions with other elements of the whole system such as anthropogenic pressures and environmental changes. The new tools helped to assess the processes dynamics at the interface between hydro-geomorphological river processes and slope systems in a qualitative way. Moreover, new innovative techniques have been adapted and applied that allow a quantification of the processes. The methodological focus was laid on remote sensing, aerial photography, field measurements with total stations, GPS, statistical analysis, all integrated in a GIS.
We reached these targets as a multidisciplinary team across Europe, sharing knowledge, developing new approaches and applying them in different environments. We explicitly aimed at identifying and integrating the different and overlapping conceptual understandings of scientists from the different disciplines carrying out joined research in this project.
Description of the work performed since the beginning of the project
The incoming and outgoing secondments conducted within the FLUMEN framework allowed the development of a common methodology to assess the above mentioned processes at the interface between fluvial and slope domains. The seconded researchers were integrated in already running projects of the related partners or developed new joined projects. A mayor emphasis was lain on the field work activity and the analysis of the achieved data. We provided a platform to exchange our expertise in the assessment of slope and fluvial processes in a variety of joined collaborations with varying partners. The results of the single projects and the approaches that were applied in the different study areas were presented at different symposia and conferences like EGU 2014, IGU 2015, EGU 2015, EGU 2016. Finally, more than 50 joined papers were prepared and submitted during the project life time and more than 45 of them accepted in peer reviewed mainly international journals.
Description of the main results achieved so far
The main results achieved so far can be summarized as follows:
i) We provided a common infrastructure to store and manage the relevant environmental data for the single test sites. Therefore, we set up a WebGIS database structure that allows access to the data via our webpage www.flumen-irses.eu.
ii) Moreover, we collected (based on the expertise of the participating researchers) a selection of different methodological approaches to assess river and slope dynamics in terms of runoff and sediment budget.
iii) This toolbox was used during the field work and thereafter for the post-processing of data and modelling of the relevant processes. Additional to FLUMEN fieldwork activity a lot of fieldschools and workshops have been organized by the partners where parts of the methodological toolbox were applied.
iv) Especially slope processes like soil erosion and landsliding were assessed in different environmental contexts of Eurasian landscapes.
v) Additionally also sediment transport and fluvial processes were studied in detail
vi) We published more than 45 articles in peer reviewed, mainly international journals
Expected final results and their potential impact and use
Based on the general analyses of deliverables, constraints and experience, we identified schematically the analytical framework of the sediment budget tools (conceptual framework). This consists of: (a) identification and mapping of catchment sediment sources on specific sub-basins; (b) quantification of the contribution of sediment source areas by processing remote sensing and auxiliary data in a GIS framework; (c) detailed investigation and processing of the sediment transport data for the evaluation of the contribution of various sub-basins; (d) carrying out the balance calculation and developing the sediment budget. In WP3.1 the general conceptual framework of the sediment budget toolbox is documented in detail. The toolbox provides specific approaches at different scales. We tested the various approaches in the study areas. Hence, the methods were evaluated against each other where possible.