Memorias de investigación
Artículos en revistas:
Flow regime patterns and their controlling factors in the Ebro basin (Spain)
Año:2010
Áreas de investigación
  • Hidrología
Datos
Descripción
Natural intra-annual flow fluctuations vary between rivers, being a determining factor for aquatic insects, fish and riparian communities which are adapted to the habitat conditions and different flows throughout the seasons. Moreover, restoration of seasonal flow patterns plays an important role in achieving good ecological status of rivers, through the preservation and/or recovery of components and processes of natural river ecosystems. In this work we: (a) classify fluvial segments in the Ebro basin (North-Eastern Spain) according to the intra-annual variability of flows under natural conditions using statistical cluster analysis of monthly mean flow data; (b) characterise the resulting flow typologies according to several ecologically important hydrological variables; (c) analyse the relationships between flow regimes of fluvial segments and physical variables from their catchments; and finally (d) predict the most probable natural flow regime using logistic models based on the most determinant physical characteristics. Fifteen natural flow typologies were described in the Ebro basin, which were characterised in terms of flow fluctuation through the year as well as timing, flow ratio and duration of the maximum and minimum flows. Precipitation, biogeography and geology of catchments showed the highest correlations with flow regimes. Basin size, mean elevation and slope were also correlated. The logistic model we developed had a prediction success of 72% in the Ebro basin. The definition of the natural hydrological conditions (to which the biological communities are tailored), even when flow data are not available, is an important support in the management of river ecosystems. It is especially suitable for setting goals in aquatic ecosystem conservation or restoration projects.
Internacional
Si
JCR del ISI
Si
Título de la revista
JOURNAL OF HYDROMETEOROLOGY
ISSN
1525-755X
Factor de impacto JCR
2,739
Información de impacto
Volumen
DOI
10.1016/j.jhydrol.2010.03.001
Número de revista
385
Desde la página
323
Hasta la página
335
Mes
ENERO
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Participantes
Grupos de investigación, Departamentos, Centros e Institutos de I+D+i relacionados
  • Creador: Grupo de Investigación: Hidrobiología
  • Departamento: Ingeniería y Morfología del Terreno