Mousouridis, Antonios; (2001) Identifying upland channel network dynamics over decadal and century timescales. Doctoral thesis (Ph.D), UCL (University College London).

Text Identifying_upland_channel_net.pdf Download (41MB)

Abstract

The identification of upland channel network dynamics over 10-100 year timescales is the topic of the present thesis. It proposes that the combination of two novel morphometric indices, the network width function with the link concentration function, constitutes an innovative approach that can provide insights into documenting recent river network changes. The major issue of data quality, which is inherent in studies of this kind is tackled by repeating all the calculations without including controversial first-order tributaries. It examines a total of twenty catchments in the Pennines, as these are depicted in various editions of topographic maps and aerial photographs. Results reveal that increased dynamism can be clearly identified and quantified in both a spatial and temporal scale with the data and resources available. This thesis challenges traditional approaches according to which the most dynamic parts of a network are the fingertip tributaries located near the upstream divide of the drainage basin. It examines a large enough sample of fourth and fifth order upland networks to conclude that there are multiple locations within the network tree hierarchy that are potentially highly dynamic, with stream reaches around the mid-basin areas the most prominent.

Download activity - last month

Export as XMLCSVJSON

Download activity - last 12 months

Export as XMLCSVJSON

Downloads by country - last 12 months

Export as CSVXMLJSON

Archive Staff Only

View Item