Channel processes in the zone of ameliorated lands and intensive use of landscapes (case study of Lithuania)

Abstract

Channel processes in the Baltic region are preconditioned by intensive man-induced changes of the environments. The land reclamation, floodplains cultivation, river channels straightening as well as the riverside vegetation elimination resulted in considerable increase in solid runoff from the watersheds. Many rivers of Lithuania become shallow; their depth is now 30 to 50% less. Horizontal channel deformations replaced the vertical ones. During the last decade at almost all the Lithuanian rivers the channel process is more and more influenced by aquatic plants, nowadays it is one of most important factors which control the channel deformations.