Study Sites
The field locations chosen for the project provide a north-south transect across Europe, and therefore a range of bio-geographical regions.
The river systems chosen are also highly diverse in terms of their hydrological and geomorphological features.
The River Great Ouse, eastern England
The climate of this meandering (formerly anastomosing) lowland river is Atlantic, and it has a mean annual discharge of about 20 m連-1 (range 5-130m連-1 ). The river flows are carefully managed to prevent flooding in the Fens, through which the river drains to the Wash. Sediments range from clays and silts to sand and gravel, and the floodplain is mainly grazing meadow, although the field site itself is ungrazed.
The River Great Ouse in flood - April 11, 1998. (F. Hughes, 1998)
The River Isère, France
This catchment has a humid Alpine climate. The river has a mean annual discharge of 200m連-1 (range 50-1500m連-1), and is highly managed, with channelization, water extraction schemes, HEP generation, and gravel extraction. Sediments range from gravels to silts, and floodplain woodland comprises willow, alder and mixed hardwood.
An island in the River Isère, France. (F. Hughes, 1997)
The River Garonne, France
In an Atlantic Pyrennean climate, the Garonne has a mean annual discharge of 202m連-1 (range 20-400 m連-1), and has been regulated for power generation and irrigation since the eighteenth century. Sediments are gravels and sands, and riparian forests are dominated by willow and poplar.
The River Garonne, France - view from Monbequi field site. (A. Hayes, 1997)
The River Öre, northern Sweden
This river has a sub-Arctic climate, and is a free-flowing, relatively un-managed river with a mean annual discharge of about 35 m連-1 (and a range of 2-550 m連-1). The floodplain sediments are mainly fine sand and silt. Floodplain vegetation is dominated by alder and willow woodland.
The River Öre, Sweden. (F. Hughes)