GM5.1/BG3.12/HS9.2.12GM5.1/ BG3.12/ HS9.2.12

Biogeomorphology and Ecohydrology: conceptualising and quantifying processes, rates and feedbacks (co-organized) 
Convener: Annegret Larsen  | Co-conveners: Nico Bätz , Jana Eichel , Wietse van de Lageweg , Andrew Pledger , Christian Schwarz , Thorsten Balke 
Biota affect hydrology, sediment transport, weathering and soil formation over variable temporal and spatial scales and thereby influence, hillslope, fluvial, coastal, and aeolian landscape form and dynamics. In turn, geomorphological and hydrological processes have large impacts on ecological processes by shaping topography and affecting water availability, which determines biological diversity and succession. Despite some advances, the conceptualisation and quantification of the processes, rates and feedbacks between geomorphology, hydrology and ecology are still limited.

Understanding these feedbacks between biological, hydrological and geomorphological processes is becoming increasingly important as new ‘building with nature’ projects emerge and also increasingly find their way into management (i.e. restoration projects). Physical, chemical and biological processes are in a constant state of flux, vary across both temporal and spatial scales and are regulated or enhanced by anthropogenic activities. Understanding of the biogeomorphological and ecohydrological effects of anthropogenic activities/ approaches and their wider socio-economic implications, remains largely rudimentary particularly in systems that are sensitive to human-induced or natural environmental change (e.g. high-mountain and polar environments, deserts, hillslopes, rivers and wetlands, salt marshes and deltas). As a result, there is a need to develop understanding around i) the magnitude and temporal persistence of anthropogenic stressors and their effects, ii) ecosystem resilience to anthropogenic stressors (including critical transitions in ecosystem state), and iii) new sustainable approaches to catchment management, such as utilization of ecosystem engineers for habitat improvements.

This session seeks contributions that are investigating biogeomorphologic interactions across all spatial and temporal scales, including experimental, field and computational/numerical modelling studies. We especially encourage interdisciplinary studies on river, and delta biogeomorphology, animal influences on geomorphic processes, chronologies of biogeomorphological change, and hillslope processes. Emphasis will be given to novel research on biogeomorphological feedbacks, on the quantification of feedbacks and associated rates, the linkage between terrestrial and aquatic environments, and the investigation of the resilience of coupled eco-hydro-geomorphic systems to human impact and climate change.