INFLUENCE OF FOREST VEGETATION ON VORSKLA AND PSEL RIVERS MEANDERING
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36910/acm.vi51.1884Keywords:
river meandering, floodplain forests, bank afforestation, erosion risk, channel stabilizationAbstract
Floodplain forests perform important ecological and hydrological functions, especially in regions with limited forest coverage. This study examines the impact of riparian vegetation on the development of river meanders along the Vorskla and Psel Rivers. An analysis of current floodplain conditions was conducted, including the proportion of forest, meadow, and agricultural lands, topographical and hydrological features, and the density and type of vegetation. Based on satellite image interpretation, morphometric measurements, and spatial modeling, a correlation was established between meander morphology (belt width, bend angle, development coefficient) and forestation along the riverbanks. Meanders show greater development in segments with deforested banks, where the meander belt is considerably wider compared to forested stretches. Conversely, dense riparian vegetation, particularly willow shrubs, increases flow resistance, reduces stream velocity, and traps sediment, effectively mitigating bank erosion. It was found that floodplain forests serve both filtering and channel-shaping functions. Practical recommendations are proposed for afforestation of erosion-prone riparian areas to enhance channel stability. The study underscores the importance of maintaining vegetative buffers along meandering rivers and suggests afforestation as a nature-based solution for channel protection. The results are applicable in watershed management, ecological restoration, and river landscape planning to ensure sustainable river system functioning under modern anthropogenic pressure and climate variability.
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