River restoration is another emerging application of geomorphology. Such changes, however, often produce unintentional effects, as in the Kissimmee River in central Florida. Shortly following channelization for navigation and flood control, wading bird, waterfowl and fish populations were drastically reduced. The ecological base of this system rests on the physical base, namely the hydrologic and geomorphic variations, and geomorphologists, such as myself, are documenting the historic character of such altered systems in an attempt to provide restoration targets or goals. Yet, few of our impacted rivers are currently targeted for restoration, and thus, appropriate research involves gathering fundamental data to discern relations between human activity and channel response.
Mining promotes channel instability as the river diverts into pits during floods.
Diversions change the channel course and bottom elevations, and accompanying problems include riparian property disputes, the undermining of bridge piers, and downstream filling which reduces channel capacity and results in more frequent and larger floods. Evidence of such problems is critical to modify specific floodplain mining activities, yet related studies are also necessary to locate alternative sites for gravel and sand outside of floodplains. Baseline geomorphic studies are also necessary in rivers that are not yet highly impacted, because many of them are under threat of alteration, as the Suwannee, just recently under consideration for fresh water diversion to the Tampa area. Geography is one of the most diverse yet holistic disciplines in our college, in that it involves integrating natural sciences and social sciences with geographic information. Geomorphology is but a small part of geography, yet many of us are similarly interested in the links between the environment and society.