Detailed fluvial-geomorphologic mapping of wadeable streams: a proposal of universal map symbology

ABSTRACT

Detailed maps are important components of fluvial-geomorphological research, connecting several tools, namely field mapping of presented channel and floodplain forms and the assessment of fluvial processes and hydromorphological conditions of current river management. In this paper, we propose a universal map legend for the complex mapping of small stream channels in a detailed scale, which means including both the channel and adjacent floodplain segments. With the help of the symbology we are able to demonstrate both fluvial forms (i.e. individual features, grain size of bed sediments and fluvial deposits) and fluvial processes (i.e. contemporary trends in channels, character of lateral sediment inputs and flow characteristics) in a single map. In total, nearly 150 symbols were proposed and created as a combination of TrueType font and ArcGIS Style files. However, the principle can be used in various software. The work is accompanied by three map examples from the Nízký Jeseník Mts (the Stará Voda Stream) and the Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mts (the Lubina and Bystrý Streams).

KEYWORDS:

• Map symbols
• fluvial geomorphology
• high-gradient streams
• ESRI ArcGIS

Acknowledgement

The authors would like to thank Monika Hradecká for language editing. We also thank to reviewers (Giedrė Beconytė, David Morche and Ellen Wohl) for positive welcome of the proposed symbology system.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Jan Miklín http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0125-2539

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the University of Ostrava (Ostravská Univerzita v Ostravě) [grant number SGS05/PřF/2017-2018].