CGRG Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology
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Author : Buffin-Bélanger, T.; Allard, G.; and Bergeron, N.
Date : 2009.
Title : A conceptual model for the study of fluvial and river ice dynamics.
Publication : CANQUA–CGRG Biennial Meeting. May 3-8, 2009. Simon Fraser University, Burnaby Campus, Burnaby, British Columbia.
Issue : Programme and Abstracts Volume.
Page(s) : 46.
Abstract
Rivers exposed to river ice processes are complex systems composed of interdependent components that are difficult to study in isolation. Conceptual models are successfully used in fluvial geomorphology to simplify the complex structure of such fluvial systems and to highlight key interactions between the components. These models can play a prominent role in identifying weak links, knowledge gaps and high-priority topics. Leeder’s conceptual «trinity» model describes river dynamic thought three components and theirs interactions: (1) flow, (2) sediment transport and (3) bed forms. The strength of this model comes from its simplicity and applicability to nearly all fluvial conditions. Albeit the efficiency of Leeder’s trinity to describe the fluvial system, it fails, however, to integrate adequately the peculiar ice dynamics found in cold rivers. This is also true for many other fluvial dynamics models. Few conceptual models have been proposed in the domain of cold river science. The available models present the river ice system as a space-time continuum of ice forms and ice processes sharing some interactions with flow processes. Present conceptual models tend to exclude known interactions between ice dynamics, sediment transport and bedforms. No model actually fulfills the need for a conceptual framework to study river ice dynamics as an intrinsic component of fluvial dynamics. In this paper, we propose a conceptual model for the study of the complex interactions between fluvial and river ice dynamics. Strongly influenced by Leeder’s conceptual model, the model attempts to integrate both fluvial and ice dynamics within a unified structure of components and interactions. We illustrate the models with several examples from field and experimental studies in order to identify key aspects of river ice processes from past and recent research.
Bibliography of Canadian Geomorphology