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Meandering reduces the influence of stream orientation on riparian shade
  • Christopher Rutherford
Christopher Rutherford
National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Hamilton

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Abstract

Restoring riparian shade helps maintain healthy stream ecosystems and computer models are helpful in guiding restoration. The effects of meandering and orientation on shade to direct and diffuse lighting was investigated using a simplified model of riparian vegetation. Previous studies have shown that straight streams oriented east-west (EW) experience higher lighting than those oriented north-south (NS). Meandering decreased reach-averaged direct lighting in EW valley streams but increased lighting in NS valley streams. When meander amplitude equalled 50% of meander wavelength, lighting of streams in EW and NS-aligned valleys was similar. Meandering and valley orientation had little effect on diffuse lighting. In EW valleys lighting was highest at stream bends and a strategy to reduce lighting quickly would be to prioritise planting of tall vegetation on bends. In NS valleys lighting was lowest at bends, suggesting the opposite planting strategy. Shade exceeding 70%, a criterion for preventing nuisance aquatic plant growths and stressfully high water temperatures, occurs in ‘typical’ meandering streams on cloudless, mid-summer days at mid-latitudes once H/ W exceeds about 2. The model over-simplifies riparian vegetation and the effects of canopy shape and overhang merit further investigation.
03 Nov 2022Submitted to Hydrological Processes
03 Nov 2022Submission Checks Completed
03 Nov 2022Assigned to Editor
03 Nov 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
03 Nov 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
21 Dec 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
21 Dec 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Major
21 Jan 20231st Revision Received
24 Jan 2023Submission Checks Completed
24 Jan 2023Assigned to Editor
24 Jan 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
24 Jan 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
16 Feb 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
16 Feb 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
09 Mar 20232nd Revision Received
15 Mar 2023Assigned to Editor
15 Mar 2023Submission Checks Completed
15 Mar 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
15 Mar 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
15 Mar 2023Editorial Decision: Accept