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Response curve Graphical illustration of the relationship between a control variable, such as discharge, and a response variable, such as fish biomass
River continuum concept Progressive downstream changes in the relative importance of primary production versus respiration and in the structure and function
of aquatic communities
River corridor Includes the main channel and secondary channels, where these
are present; the floodplain; and the hyporheic zone underlying the channel and
floodplain
River health Can be defined as the degree to which river corridor energy sources,
water quality, flow regime, habitat, and biota match the natural conditions
River integrity The ability of the river to adjust to changing water and sediment
inputs (without constraints imposed by human manipulation such as dams
or levees) and through these adjustments to maintain the habitat, disturbance
regime, and connectivity necessary to sustain native biotic communities
River metamorphosis An abrupt, sustained change in river form
River styles A geomorphic classification applied at the reach scale that is similar
to process domains in recognizing spatially discrete reaches that are internally
homogeneous with respect to topography, valley geometry, channel planform,
and substrate, but differ from other reaches
Secondary channel Contains flowing water only during higher discharges
Sensitivity The ability of a river corridor to return to its pre-disturbance configuration following disturbance
Serial discontinuity model Dams and reservoirs reset the longitudinal trends
described in the river continuum concept
Sustainability In an ecological context, typically refers to the ability of ecosystems to remain diverse and productive; in a physical context, may refer to the
ability of a system to continue functioning or providing natural resources
Terrace (river) A former channel or floodplain surface now elevated above contemporary flood levels as a result of continued deposition on the floodplain or
incision by the active channel
Threshold Separates distinct forms or modes of operation of a system; external
thresholds refer to change forced by an external factor such as a flood; internal
or intrinsic thresholds describe abrupt changes in a river corridor in the absence
of external change
Watershed See drainage basin
Glossary
Response curve Graphical illustration of the relationship between a control variable, such as discharge, and a response variable, such as fish biomass
River continuum concept Progressive downstream changes in the relative importance of primary production versus respiration and in the structure and function
of aquatic communities
River corridor Includes the main channel and secondary channels, where these
are present; the floodplain; and the hyporheic zone underlying the channel and
floodplain
River health Can be defined as the degree to which river corridor energy sources,
water quality, flow regime, habitat, and biota match the natural conditions
River integrity The ability of the river to adjust to changing water and sediment
inputs (without constraints imposed by human manipulation such as dams
or levees) and through these adjustments to maintain the habitat, disturbance
regime, and connectivity necessary to sustain native biotic communities
River metamorphosis An abrupt, sustained change in river form
River styles A geomorphic classification applied at the reach scale that is similar
to process domains in recognizing spatially discrete reaches that are internally
homogeneous with respect to topography, valley geometry, channel planform,
and substrate, but differ from other reaches
Secondary channel Contains flowing water only during higher discharges
Sensitivity The ability of a river corridor to return to its pre-disturbance configuration following disturbance
Serial discontinuity model Dams and reservoirs reset the longitudinal trends
described in the river continuum concept
Sustainability In an ecological context, typically refers to the ability of ecosystems to remain diverse and productive; in a physical context, may refer to the
ability of a system to continue functioning or providing natural resources
Terrace (river) A former channel or floodplain surface now elevated above contemporary flood levels as a result of continued deposition on the floodplain or
incision by the active channel
Threshold Separates distinct forms or modes of operation of a system; external
thresholds refer to change forced by an external factor such as a flood; internal
or intrinsic thresholds describe abrupt changes in a river corridor in the absence
of external change
Watershed See drainage basin
Glossary