FlowRegimeKarten

FlowRegimeKarten are map-based tools used in hydrology and ecology to visualize and classify river flow regimes across landscapes. They combine long-term discharge data with environmental indicators to assign locations to standardized flow-regime types on a spatial grid. The aim is to show how discharge variability and seasonality influence aquatic habitats and ecosystem processes.

Methodology and typology: FlowRegimeKarten gather data from gauging stations, remote sensing, and climate models, then compute indices such as baseflow, flow variability, seasonality, and flood frequency. Based on a predefined typology, each location is categorized into regimes such as perennial, intermittent, seasonal, flood-dominated, drought-prone, or flash-flow, often with subtypes and confidence metrics. Classifications may be regionally calibrated and integrated with catchment attributes for richer interpretation.

Applications: The maps support ecological assessments, river restoration planning, water-resource management, and climate-change impact studies. They enable comparisons across sites and scales by providing a harmonized framework for understanding how flow regimes shape habitat availability, species distributions, and ecosystem services.

Development and usage: The concept emerged from hydrology and ecology research and is implemented by universities, research consortia, and water authorities. FlowRegimeKarten are produced using GIS platforms and compatible software that process hydrological records, combine ancillary data, and generate thematic flow-regime maps.

Limitations: The approach depends on data quality and coverage, and results are sensitive to chosen thresholds and typologies. Transitional or mixed regimes can be challenging to classify, and spatial or temporal gaps may affect accuracy.