The impact of environmental changes on the sediment loads of Norwegian rivers

The seasonal distribution of runoff in several parts of Norway has changed in recent years and higher winter temperatures have produced an increase in the frequency of flood events. A very long lasting flood caused by a prolonged period of rain occurred in the Vikka stream during September to December 2000. The availability of sediment increased with the increasing soil moisture content in the area. As the ground became saturated, more active slope processes caused erosion rates to increase markedly. The combined effects of climate change and human impact on sediment transport in rivers appear to enhance downstream sediment delivery. Flood protection works along river channels prevent sediment from being deposited on the floodplain. River channels that have been lowered in order to reduce groundwater levels in agricultural floodplain areas will experience the same effect. During the last decade extensive ecological changes have taken place in the coastal areas of southern Norway as 90% of the sugar kelp forest has been lost. This change has been attributed to an apparent increase in sediment delivery to the sea along with a rise in sea temperatures.