River-Lake Hydrodynamics, Sediment Transport and Riparian Ecological Health

River–lake connected systems are fundamental carriers of surface-water resources, regulating runoff, exchanging water and momentum, redistributing sediment, transporting pollutants and supporting aquatic ecosystems. However, dam construction, reservoir operation, channel straightening, inter-basin water transfers, lake reclamation and other human interventions have substantially altered natural hydrological regimes and sediment dynamics across river–lake networks. These changes can cause channel degradation or aggradation, shrinkage of shoals and floodplains, reduced longitudinal and lateral connectivity, water eutrophication, altered biogeochemical cycling and degradation of aquatic–terrestrial ecotones. Recent advances in field monitoring, laboratory experimentation, remote sensing and numerical modelling have improved understanding of flow–sediment interactions, but significant uncertainties remain concerning their effects across spatial and temporal scales. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanisms governing hydrodynamic exchange, sediment redistribution, morphological adjustment and ecological responses in river–lake continua.This Research Topic aims to advance understanding of the coupled interactions among hydrodynamic conditions, sediment transport processes and riverbed morphological evolution in river–lake systems. It will examine how natural variability and human interventions influence flow structures, water and momentum exchange, sediment partitioning, channel stability, habitat connectivity and the transport and cycling of nutrients, carbon and pollutants. The Research Topic also seeks to advance eco-hydraulic modelling, improve methods for assessing river–lake ecological condition and identify effective sediment-management, hydraulic-regulation and restoration strategies. Contributions may address how altered flow and sediment regimes affect aquatic habitats and biological communities, how hydraulic projects modify river–lake connectivity and morphology, and how integrated monitoring, modelling and restoration approaches can support sustainable management.To gather further insights into hydrodynamic, sedimentary, morphological and ecological processes in river–lake continua, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:- Flow structures, turbulence characteristics and water and momentum exchange mechanisms at river–lake confluences- Multi-scale sediment transport, erosion–deposition dynamics and channel morphological adjustment- Flow–sediment controls on carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, other biogenic elements and pollutant transport- Responses of benthic macroinvertebrates, fish habitats and instream biotic communities to changing flow and sediment regimes- Effects of reservoir operation, inter-basin water transfers and channel regulation on flow–sediment partitioning and channel stability- Eco-hydraulic numerical models coupling hydrodynamics, sediment transport and morphological evolution- Long-term field monitoring, laboratory flume experiments, remote-sensing approaches and high-resolution numerical simulations- Indicator systems and assessment methodologies for evaluating ecological condition under changing flow–sediment regimes- Sediment-management strategies and hydraulic regulation approaches for maintaining river–lake connectivity- Riparian restoration technologies and watershed-scale restoration projects in degraded river–lake systemsThe Research Topic welcomes original research papers, review articles and technical case studies addressing fundamental mechanisms, modelling approaches, field observations, experimental investigations and practical engineering or watershed-restoration applications. Topic editors: Mengyang Liu, Hamidreza Rahimi, Yisen Wang Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85452/river-lake-hydrodynamics-sediment-transport-and-riparian-ecological-health