Ecological and Hydraulic Studies of Step-Pool Systems
Publication: Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 135, Issue 9
Abstract
The ecological and hydraulic features of step-pool systems are studied by field investigation, measurement, sampling, and analysis. The study is done on Shengou and Jiuzhai Creeks, where step-pool systems have developed, Fork Gully, where a step-pool system is developing, and the Jinsha River and Jiangjia and Xiaobaini Ravines, where there is no step-pool system. Boulders, cobbles, and gravel tightly interlock and form the steps having an inherent stability that only extreme floods are likely to disturb. Gravel and sand deposit in the pools behind the steps. These steps and pools provide high diversity of habitat for the stream biocommunity. The density of benthic macroinvertebrates in streams with step-pool systems is several 100 times higher than neighboring streams without step-pool systems. A new habitat diversity index is proposed considering the spatial distribution of various substrates, velocity, and water depth. The study reveals that the biodiversity of benthic macroinvertebrates increases with habitat diversity. Measurements with a specially designed instrument were done to study the development of step-pool systems and its effects on resistance to the flow and stream bed stability. A step-pool system maximizes the flow resistance and protects the bed sediment from erosion. Thus, the riverbed and bank slope are stabilized. The development degree of step pools is proportional to the streambed slope. The bed resistance increases with the development degree of step pools. Riverbed inertia represents the stability of the streambed. The development of step-pool systems greatly increases the riverbed inertia, and, therefore, maximizes streambed stability.
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Acknowledgments
The study is supported by the 973 program under Grant Nos. UNSPECIFIED2003CB415206 and UNSPECIFIED2008CB425803 of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China and the National Science Foundation of China Grant Nos. UNSPECIFIED50221903-3 and UNSPECIFIED50779027.UNSPECIFIED
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Information
Published In
Journal of Hydraulic Engineering
Volume 135 • Issue 9 • September 2009
Pages: 705 - 717
Copyright
© 2009 ASCE.
History
Received: Jul 7, 2006
Accepted: Dec 2, 2008
Published online: Aug 14, 2009
Published in print: Sep 2009
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