This document discusses the historical development and morphodynamics of the Danube River and its floodplains in the Machland region of Austria between 1715-1821. It finds that over this period, the river experienced cut-offs, avulsions, and other morphological changes that altered the floodplain habitats and their hydrological connectivity. Specifically, between 1812-1817, around 35% of the river-floodplain system underwent spatial morphological turnover, including 2 million cubic meters of erosion and 1.3 million cubic meters of sediment aggradation. These short-term natural dynamics created a shifting mosaic of differently developed habitat patches.
APM Welcome, APM North West Network Conference, Synergies Across Sectors
Hohensinner 2011: Importance of multi-dimensional morphodynamics for riverine habitat evolution
1. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 1
Importance of multi-dimensional
morphodynamics for habitat evolution:
Austrian Danube River 1715 – 1821
Severin Hohensinner & Mathias Jungwirth
World‘s Large Rivers Conference
Vienna, 11th April 2011
Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management
Department of Water, Atmosphere, Environment
University of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU)
2. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 2
Focus and topics
Historical development of the Danube floodplain
in the Machland 1715 – 1812
Short-term morphodynamics 1812 – 1817
Consequences for floodplain habitats
(intensity of hydrological connectivity)
General considerations regarding
trajectories of habitat development
Conclusions
3. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 3
Danube
Austrian Danube River
80 % impounded
20 % free-flowing
National Park
Danube River in the
MACHLAND floodplain
Machland
4. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 4
Machland: current situation
2006Inst. of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Mgmt.
Univ. of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Vienna
5. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 5
Inst. of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Mgmt.
Univ. of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Vienna
6. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 6
Hütting
Franzenau
Inst. of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Mgmt.
Univ. of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Vienna
7. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 7
Inst. of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Mgmt.
Univ. of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Vienna
8. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 8
216
218
220
222
224
226
228
230
232
234
m
ü
A
River length - station (m)
Longitudinal profile 1812 - Northern main arm
bifurcation
of main arms
confluence
of main arms
river bottom
low water
mean water
ca. 3-5-year flood
Longitudinal profile 1812
Northern main channel arm
backwater
effect
9. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 9
Inst. of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Mgmt.
Univ. of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Vienna
10. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 10
Inst. of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Mgmt.
Univ. of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Vienna
11. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 11
erosion:
15 Mio. m³
aggradation: 13 Mio. m³
cut-off
avulsion
Spatial morphological turnover
1812 – 1817
=> changes in 35 % of the recent
river-floodplain system
12. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 12
Transect through river-floodplain system
1812 – 1817
13. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 13
Inst. of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Mgmt.
Univ. of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Vienna
avulsions
cut-off
14. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 14
Changes of water/groundwater level
1812 – 1817
total floodplain:
net change of water/
groundwater level
< 10 cm
=> short-term
„quasi-equilibrium“ ?
Hohensinner et al. (2008)
in CATENA
-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10
20
30
40
50
-1.1 - -1.0
-1.0 - -0.5 -0.5 - 0.0 0.0 - 0.5 0.5 - 1.0 1.0 - 1.1
Lowering/uplift of water/groundwater surface (m)
Areasharesofactivezone(%)
lowering
uplift
15. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Cumulativeareasharesofdepthsofthe
groundwaterlevelsinthefloodplain(%)
Depth of groundwater table at MW (m)
Machland 1812
Machland 1817
Machland 1991
Vienna/Lobau 2003
30.07.2013 15
Hydrological subsurface connectivity
Depths of groundwater table in the floodplain
Hohensinner et al. (2008)
in CATENA
16. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 16
Intensityofhydrologicalconnectivity
Time
high
low
terrestrialization
Trajectory of floodplain habitat development:
gradual change of hydrological connectivity
gradual main channel incision
gradual main channel aggradation
17. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 17
Intensityofhydrologicalconnectivity
Time
high
low
terrestrialization of floodplain habitat
gradual main channel incision
gradual main channel aggradation
Avulsion
reduced connectivity due to avulsion
Trajectory of floodplain habitat development:
sudden change due to avulsion
18. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 18
Intensityofhydrologicalconnectivity
Time
high
low
Avulsion
reduced connectivity due to avulsion
Trajectory of floodplain habitat development:
one habitat with avulsion
19. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 19
Intensityofhydrologicalconnectivity
Time
high
low
Avulsion
reduced connectivity due to avulsion
intensified connectivity due to avulsion
intermediate connectivity
Trajectory of floodplain habitat development:
several habitats with avulsion
20. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 20
Shifting of navigable river arms 1700 – 1859
21. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 21
Intensityofhydrologicalconnectivity
Time
high
low
Avulsion Avulsion
Trajectory of floodplain habitat development:
several habitats with several avulsions
22. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner
Habitat dynamics
prior to chanelization 1812 – 1821
(main changes)
Eupotamon A
15 yrs
Eu B
6 yrs
Para A
5 yrs
Para B
5 yrs
Plesio
13 yrs
VABB
5 yrs
36 yrs
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85
Intensityofhydrologicalsurfaceconnectivity
Median-age (50%-age) of the habitat type area (years)
min
max
1.5 %
0.8 %
1.4 %
2.1 % 3.5
0.3 %2.8 %
2.6 %
5.7 %
7.4 %
2.1 %
3.9 %
2.2 %
2.1 %
1.6 %
1.8 %
1.6 %
EFA - elevated floodplain area
30.07.2013 22
23. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
1715 - 1821
natural
1829 - 1838
initial channelization
1859 - 1991
end of/after
channelization
Meandeviation(%)
1: total water body area at SMW (% of study site)
2: total habitat shares at SMW (% of study site)
3: aquatic habitat shares at SMW (% of total water bodies)
4: aquatic habitat shares at LW (% of total water bodies)
5: expansions of aquatic habitatsLW - SMW (% of study site)
6: median habitat ages / 50%-ages in active zone (years)
7: Connectivity-Index of active zone (CI)
1
6
5
43
2
7
1
7
5
4
3
2
1
65432
599
699
248
315
6
7
30.07.2013 23
pre-channelization
pre-channelization
1715 - 1821:
variation of
most habitat
parameters < 10 %
=> long-term
„quasi-equilibrium“ ?
Variability of habitat characteristics of the
river-floodplain system 1715 – 1991Meanvariation(%)
24. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 24
Inst. of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Mgmt.
Univ. of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Vienna
25. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 25
Inst. of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Mgmt.
Univ. of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Vienna
26. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 26
Inst. of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Mgmt.
Univ. of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Vienna
27. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 27
Inst. of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Mgmt.
Univ. of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Vienna
28. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 28
Inst. of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Mgmt.
Univ. of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Vienna
29. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 29
Inst. of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Mgmt.
Univ. of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Vienna
30. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 30
Inst. of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Mgmt.
Univ. of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Vienna
31. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 31
Inst. of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Mgmt.
Univ. of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Vienna
32. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 32
Inst. of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Mgmt.
Univ. of Natural Resources & Life Sciences Vienna
33. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner
Eupotamon A
157 yrs
Eu B
60 yrs
Para A
33 yrs
Para B
23 yrs
Plesio
26 yrs
VABB
125 yrs
elevated floodplain area
160 yrs
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600
Intensityofhydrologicalsurfaceconnectivity
Median-age (50%-age) of the habitat type area (years)
min
max
0.02 %
0.01 %
0.03 %
0.76 %
0.54 %
0.53 %
0.42 %
0.66 %
0.31 %
0.72 %
0.56 %
0.14
%
0.17 %
0.15 %
0.25 %
0.05 %
0.04 %
0.14 %
30.07.2013 33
Habitat dynamics
after chanelization 1859 – 1991
(main changes)
34. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 34
on a broader spatial scale, morphodynamic processes can
effect counteracting habitat developments leading to a
„quasi“-stable habitat composition („shifting habitat mosaic“)
Conclusions
the spatio-temporal pattern of diverse morphodynamic
processes is reflected by a complex mosaic of differently
developed habitat patches
the development of riverine habitats
(besides hydrology) depends on gradually occurring
morphological changes (channel migration, terrestrialization)
and on sudden processes (avulsions, cut-offs)
35. University of Natural Resources &
Life Sciences Vienna
Department of Water, Atmosphere & Environment I Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management I DI Dr. Severin Hohensinner30.07.2013 35
Severin Hohensinner & Mathias Jungwirth
Institute of Hydrobiology & Aquatic Ecosystem Management
Department of Water, Atmosphere, Environment
University of Natural Resources &Life Sciences Vienna (BOKU)
Austrian Science Fund