The relationship between river types and land cover in riparian zones

Land cover data from main river reaches categorized by river type indicate fundamental land cover differences between types that closely correspond with the hydromorphological characteristics of channels. If we examine riparian zones with no or minimal anthropogenic impact, significant land cover classes emerge for distinct river types that at the same time facilitate more accurate descriptions of river types. For rivers in agricultural lowlands, land cover contributes to revealing modifications of the river network. This study demonstrates that detailed land cover data can be used to explain differences between river types and can be included among river characteristics for establishing hydromorphological reference conditions or for assessing the level of anthropogenic impact in the riparian zone, which generally has an effect on the channel as well. At the same time, detailed land cover data may significantly help locate new reference sites, or exclude unsuitable sites.