To plug-in or not to plug-in? Geomorphic analysis of rivers using the River Styles Framework in an era of big data acquisition and automation

Fryirs, K. A., Wheaton, J. M., Bizzi, S., Williams, R. and Brierley, G. J. (2019) To plug-in or not to plug-in? Geomorphic analysis of rivers using the River Styles Framework in an era of big data acquisition and automation. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Water, 6(5), e1372. (doi: 10.1002/wat2.1372)

Abstract

n an era of big‐data acquisition and semiautomation of geomorphic river surveys, it is timely to consider how to better integrate this into existing and widely used conceptual frameworks and approaches to analysis. We demonstrate how Stage 1 of the River Styles Framework, which entails identification and interpretation of river character and behavior, patterns and controls, can be used as a “powerboard” into which available, developing and future semiautomated tools and workflows can be plugged (or unplugged). Prospectively, such approaches will increase the efficiency and scope of analyses, providing unprecedented insights into the diversity of rivers and their morphodynamics. We appraise the role of human decision‐making in conducting expert‐manual analyses and interpretations. Genuine integration of big‐data analytics, remote‐sensing based tools for semiautomated river analysis with expert‐manual interpretations including field insights, will be an essential ingredient to fully exploit emerging computational and remote sensing technologies to advance our understanding of river systems, to translate information into knowledge, and raise the standards of practice in river science and management.

• Item Type: Articles
• Additional Information: KF received financial support from the Macquarie University Outside Studies Program and the Australian Research Council (ARC) project LP130100120 to travel to Politecnico di Milano and University of Auckland for sabbatical. RW worked on this article whilst he was an international visiting academic at the University of Auckland, funded by Carnegie Trust grant RIG007856.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Williams, Professor Richard
• Authors: Fryirs, K. A., Wheaton, J. M., Bizzi, S., Williams, R., and Brierley, G. J.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
• Journal Name: Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Water
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 2049-1948
• ISSN (Online): 2049-1948
• Published Online: 22 July 2019
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
• First Published: First published in Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Water 6(5): e1372
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy