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Lecturer(s)
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Erlebach Martin, Mgr. Ph.D.
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Halásová Olga, Mgr. Ph.D.
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Course content
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The course presents the fluvial system as a set of interconnected processes operating within catchments, hillslopes, river channels, valleys and floodplains. It focuses on water flow, erosion, sediment transport and deposition, the formation and development of fluvial landforms and their changes over time. Attention is also paid to high-gradient streams, interactions between rivers, vegetation and large wood, flood processes, human interventions and river restoration. The practical component includes field measurements, geomorphological mapping, spatial data analysis and basic modelling using GIS and specialised software. The course covers the following topics: 1. Fluvial geomorphology within the system of sciences; catchments, hillslopes and river systems. 2. Fundamentals of hydrodynamics and water flow in river channels. 3. Fluvial sediments: origin, properties, classification and analytical methods. 4. Suspended-load and bedload transport, sedimentation and aggradation. 5. Fluvial erosion, channel-forming processes and channel-forming discharge. 6. River-channel morphology and morphodynamics; classifications of river systems. 7. Floodplains, terraces and river-valley morphometry; cross-sectional and longitudinal profiles of river systems. 8. High-gradient streams, hillslope-channel coupling, debris flows and natural hazards. 9. Vegetation, large wood, biota and their role in river development. 10. Floods, tectonics, climate change and long-term trajectories of river systems. 11. Methods of field research, monitoring and geomorphological mapping of rivers. 12. Morphometric analysis, GIS and modelling in fluvial geomorphology. 13. Human impacts, river engineering and restoration; integrated catchment management. The course includes a two-day field training focused on the identification of fluvial forms and processes, assessment of the hydromorphological state of the stream and interpretation of anthropogenic interventions. Field measurements and work with instruments may also be included, if possible.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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Monologic Lecture(Interpretation, Training), Dialogic Lecture (Discussion, Dialog, Brainstorming), Observation, Demonstration
- Homework for Teaching
- 30 hours per semester
- Excursion
- 16 hours per semester
- Attendace
- 39 hours per semester
- Preparation for the Course Credit
- 15 hours per semester
- Preparation for the Exam
- 25 hours per semester
- Semestral Work
- 25 hours per semester
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Learning outcomes
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The course prepares students to understand the fundamental processes shaping river channels, valleys and floodplains and to interpret their spatial and temporal dynamics within river catchments. Students become familiar with methods of field research, fluvial sediment analysis, geomorphological mapping and modelling of river processes, including the use of GIS and specialised software.
The student explains the fundamental principles of water flow, sediment transport, erosion, deposition and the development of fluvial landforms. The student identifies and interprets the morphology and morphodynamics of river channels, floodplains and river valleys under different environmental conditions, including high-gradient streams. The student assesses relationships among catchments, hillslopes, river channels, sediments, vegetation and large wood and evaluates the effects of floods, tectonics, climate change and human interventions on the development of fluvial systems. The student applies basic field, laboratory and geoinformation methods in the mapping, measurement, analysis and modelling of river processes and interprets the results in the context of river management, conservation and restoration.
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Prerequisites
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Basic knowledge of general geomorphology, hydrology and physical geography at the bachelor´s level. Basic skills in working with geographic information systems and spatial data are expected.
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Assessment methods and criteria
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Mark, Written exam, Seminar Work
The course credit is awarded on the basis of active participation in practical classes and the two-day field course, completion of assigned practical tasks and successful completion of a course-credit test. The practical tasks focus on the analysis of fluvial landforms and processes, working with spatial and field data, basic modelling and interpretation of results. To pass the examination, students must demonstrate knowledge within the scope of lectures, practical classes, fieldwork and assigned literature. They must be able to explain fundamental fluvial processes, interpret the development of river channels, floodplains and valleys and apply the acquired knowledge when assessing a specific river system. The examination is conducted in either oral or written form.
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Recommended literature
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Fryirs, K. A., & Brierley, G. J. Geomorphic analysis of river systems: An approach to reading the landscape. 2013.
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Galia Tomáš. (2017). Fluviální geomorfologie. Ostrava.
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Gordon, N. D., McMahon, T. A., Finlayson, B. L., Gippel, C. J., & Nathan, R. J. Stream hydrology: An introduction for ecologists. 2004.
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Gupta, A. (2022). Large Rivers: Geomorphology and Management.
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Chalov, R. S. Fluvial processes: Theory and applications. 2021.
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Charlton, R. (2008). Fundamentals of Fluvial Geomorphology. New York, Routledge..
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Islam, A., Das, P., Ghosh, S., Mukhopadhyay, A., Das Gupta, A., & Singh, A. K. Fluvial systems in the Anthropocene: Process, response and modelling. 2022.
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Kondolf, M., Piégay, H. (2016). Tools in Fluvial Geomorphology.
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Leopold, L., Wolman, G., Miller, J., Wohl, E. (2020). Fluvial Processes in Geomorphology: Second Edition.
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Máčka, Z., Krejčí, L., et al. Říční dřevo ve vodních tocích ČR. Brno. 2011.
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Sear, D. A., Newson, M. D., & Thorne, C. R. Guidebook of applied fluvial geomorphology. 2010.
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Wohl, E. (2020). Rivers in the Landscape.
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