Damming and Wetland Eco-Hydrology

This book explores how flow attenuation due to dams influences the hydrogeomorphic dynamics of wetlands and their ecohydrological transformation. The International Commission on Large Dams (ICOLD) (2021) reported that around 58,700 large dams and thousands of smaller dams have been built worldwide, regulating river flows and causing significant geomorphological and hydroecological changes in downstream river reaches and riparian floodplain wetlands. Wetlands, which cover about 6-8% of the earth’s surface, are important ecotonal ecosystems that harbor 40% of global biodiversity. Various factors contribute to the degradation and loss of wetlands, with damming. In rain-fed floodplains, river flow attenuation often disrupts the lateral connectivity between rivers and wetlands, leading to hydro-ecological changes that affect both the wetlands and the well-being of the communities that depend on them. However, these vital ecosystems are changing at an alarming rate, increasing the vulnerability of dependent ecosystems and societies. Numerous research articles have highlighted the various impacts of damming on wetlands. Yet, there is a noticeable gap in the comprehensive literature that provides an integrated perspective on eco-hydrological changes and approaches to their restoration in order to mitigate various forms of environmental risks. This book bridges this gap by first introducing the relationship between damming and river flow modifications, including changes in spilling behaviors and interactions with para-fluvial wetlands. It will address the measurement of flow modifications in response to damming a range of variability components (magnitude, duration, timing, etc.) to understand flow modification across different RVA components. Challenges in wetland delineation, particularly in dynamic seasonal floodplain environments, are addressed, with the book proposing strategies for mapping these erratic wetlands and examining key challenges and solution strategies.