Recruitment and Succession of Riparian Vegetation in Alluvial River Regulated by Upstream Dams - Focused on the Nakdong River Downstream Andong and Imha Dams -

Upstream dams on the Nakdong River have significantly accelerated riparian vegetation recruitment and succession, transforming once-bare sandbars into diverse habitats. Research shows that post-dam riverbed degradation and reduced bed shear stress due to decreased flood discharge promoted vegetation establishment, increasing vegetated bar ratios from 7% in 1971 to 74% by 2005. Detailed analysis of subreaches revealed a clear succession from pioneering stages (e.g., Reed spp.) to shrub and tree stages (e.g., willows), while some historically bare sandbars near Hahoe Village showed recent vegetation encroachment, threatening conservation efforts. The study confirms that dam-induced hydrological changes can create unique backmarsh habitats, potentially enhancing biodiversity compared to natural sandy rivers.

Woo, Hyoseop, Park, Mun-Hyeong, Cho, Kang-Hyun, Cho, Hyung-Jin, & Jeong, Sang-Jun. (2010). Recruitment and Succession of Riparian Vegetation in Alluvial River Regulated by Upstream Dams - Focused on the Nakdong River Downstream Andong and Imha Dams -. Journal of Korea Water Resources Association, 43(5), 455–469. https://doi.org/10.3741/JKWRA.2010.43.5.455