Fluvial geomorphology: A perspective on current status and methods

Fluvial geomorphology seeks to study river landform history, understand formative processes, and predict changes using a combination of field observation, experimental studies and numerical models. A resurgence in fluvial geomorphology is taking place, fostered for example by its interaction with river engineering, and the availability of new analytical methods, instrumentation and techniques. These have enabled development of new applications in river management, landscape restoration, hazard studies, river history and geoarchaeology. This paper presents a perspective on recent advances in fluvial geomorphology, and introduces a selection of papers presented during the Fluvial Geomorphology and Palaeohydrology session within the Sixth International Conference on Geomorphology held in Zaragoza (Spain) in September 2005.