Evolution of a reservoir shore zone: Geomorphological and ecological responses to water-level fluctuations
The article presents how shorelines in lowland reservoirs can be transformed. Particular focus is placed on defining the environmental conditions that fundamentally shape the littoral zone, which we here call the “aquatic–terrestrial transitional zone” (ATTZ). The study is based on a multi-decadal a...
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Elsevier
2025-09-01
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| Series: | Ecological Indicators |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X25009914 |
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| author | Halina Kaczmarek Sebastian Tyszkowski Michał Habel |
| author_facet | Halina Kaczmarek Sebastian Tyszkowski Michał Habel |
| author_sort | Halina Kaczmarek |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The article presents how shorelines in lowland reservoirs can be transformed. Particular focus is placed on defining the environmental conditions that fundamentally shape the littoral zone, which we here call the “aquatic–terrestrial transitional zone” (ATTZ). The study is based on a multi-decadal analysis combining field-based geomorphological mapping, multitemporal aerial imagery, terrestrial and airborne laser scanning (LiDAR), and geospatial analyses. These methods enabled the identification and classification of shoreline types and their transitions over time, as well as the expansion patterns of vegetation within the ATTZ. Based on this approach, we developed an indicator of ecological changes in artificial water bodies.The test area selected for the study is a large, lowland reservoir with significant annual water-level fluctuations of 5.5 m. By covering the entire period of the reservoir’s operation from its creation and extending for over 30 years, we established that, in the first decade of the reservoir’s existence, active (i.e., erosional or depositional) shore fragments constituted 60.2 % of the shoreline’s length. As the reservoir aged, the share of active shoreline decreased to about 40 % by the end of the second decade of its operation and has remained stable since then. However, the relative proportions of shore types changed: the lengths of erosional and neutral shore decreased, while the share of depositional shore increased. In addition, there appeared a previously unidentified “biogenic” shore type dominated by perennial vegetation. The study indicates that shore zone transformation varies depending on the initial slope inclination or morphometry of the slopes being transformed. Transformation began later and was less dynamic in shallow shore zones and sections immediately neighbouring shallows than in deep-water shore zones, where changes occurred more quickly and were longer-lasting. In turn, large water-level fluctuations led to the creation of a “moving” zone between the aquatic and terrestrial environment, and the expansion of coastal vegetation; as the reservoir has aged, vegetation has occupied new areas, but its development is limited by the persistent water-level fluctuations. These findings highlight how reservoir management and water-level regimes drive shoreline dynamics and long-term ecological patterns in regulated aquatic systems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ebe0859e2e54441c836b6c6351254047 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1470-160X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-09-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecological Indicators |
| spelling | doaj-art-ebe0859e2e54441c836b6c63512540472025-08-23T04:47:45ZengElsevierEcological Indicators1470-160X2025-09-0117811405910.1016/j.ecolind.2025.114059Evolution of a reservoir shore zone: Geomorphological and ecological responses to water-level fluctuationsHalina Kaczmarek0Sebastian Tyszkowski1Michał Habel2Faculty of Geographical Sciences, Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, Poland; Corresponding author.Department of Environmental Resources and Geohazards, Institute of Geography and Spatial Organization, Polish Academy of Sciences, Toruń, PolandFaculty of Geographical Sciences, Kazimierz Wielki University, Bydgoszcz, PolandThe article presents how shorelines in lowland reservoirs can be transformed. Particular focus is placed on defining the environmental conditions that fundamentally shape the littoral zone, which we here call the “aquatic–terrestrial transitional zone” (ATTZ). The study is based on a multi-decadal analysis combining field-based geomorphological mapping, multitemporal aerial imagery, terrestrial and airborne laser scanning (LiDAR), and geospatial analyses. These methods enabled the identification and classification of shoreline types and their transitions over time, as well as the expansion patterns of vegetation within the ATTZ. Based on this approach, we developed an indicator of ecological changes in artificial water bodies.The test area selected for the study is a large, lowland reservoir with significant annual water-level fluctuations of 5.5 m. By covering the entire period of the reservoir’s operation from its creation and extending for over 30 years, we established that, in the first decade of the reservoir’s existence, active (i.e., erosional or depositional) shore fragments constituted 60.2 % of the shoreline’s length. As the reservoir aged, the share of active shoreline decreased to about 40 % by the end of the second decade of its operation and has remained stable since then. However, the relative proportions of shore types changed: the lengths of erosional and neutral shore decreased, while the share of depositional shore increased. In addition, there appeared a previously unidentified “biogenic” shore type dominated by perennial vegetation. The study indicates that shore zone transformation varies depending on the initial slope inclination or morphometry of the slopes being transformed. Transformation began later and was less dynamic in shallow shore zones and sections immediately neighbouring shallows than in deep-water shore zones, where changes occurred more quickly and were longer-lasting. In turn, large water-level fluctuations led to the creation of a “moving” zone between the aquatic and terrestrial environment, and the expansion of coastal vegetation; as the reservoir has aged, vegetation has occupied new areas, but its development is limited by the persistent water-level fluctuations. These findings highlight how reservoir management and water-level regimes drive shoreline dynamics and long-term ecological patterns in regulated aquatic systems.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X25009914Aquatic ecologyDam reservoir shore evolutionATTZWater level fluctuation impact |
| spellingShingle | Halina Kaczmarek Sebastian Tyszkowski Michał Habel Evolution of a reservoir shore zone: Geomorphological and ecological responses to water-level fluctuations Ecological Indicators Aquatic ecology Dam reservoir shore evolution ATTZ Water level fluctuation impact |
| title | Evolution of a reservoir shore zone: Geomorphological and ecological responses to water-level fluctuations |
| title_full | Evolution of a reservoir shore zone: Geomorphological and ecological responses to water-level fluctuations |
| title_fullStr | Evolution of a reservoir shore zone: Geomorphological and ecological responses to water-level fluctuations |
| title_full_unstemmed | Evolution of a reservoir shore zone: Geomorphological and ecological responses to water-level fluctuations |
| title_short | Evolution of a reservoir shore zone: Geomorphological and ecological responses to water-level fluctuations |
| title_sort | evolution of a reservoir shore zone geomorphological and ecological responses to water level fluctuations |
| topic | Aquatic ecology Dam reservoir shore evolution ATTZ Water level fluctuation impact |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1470160X25009914 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT halinakaczmarek evolutionofareservoirshorezonegeomorphologicalandecologicalresponsestowaterlevelfluctuations AT sebastiantyszkowski evolutionofareservoirshorezonegeomorphologicalandecologicalresponsestowaterlevelfluctuations AT michałhabel evolutionofareservoirshorezonegeomorphologicalandecologicalresponsestowaterlevelfluctuations |