High and dry: Comparing literature review approaches to reveal the data that informs the geomorphic management of regulated river floodplains

Abstract

While the impacts of regulation on river systems have been investigated, the main focus of the research has been on ecological and in-channel impacts. An understanding of the impacts of regulation on floodplain geomorphology is needed in order to inform management actions, in particular environmental flows. Concurrently with a traditional literature review on the effects of river regulation on floodplain geomorphology, we undertook a systematic review of the evidence using causal criteria analysis. The causal criteria approach tested evidence from multiple studies against a 'checklist' of criteria, constructing an argument for causality by combining a number of pieces of evidence into a sing..