Geographic Information System Tools for River Evolution Analysis

Abstract

Rivers represent naturally dynamic ecosystems that require diligent preservation efforts to maintain ecological balance and biodiversity. Understanding the evolutionary movements of rivers is crucial for effective conservation and management strategies. Geographic information systems (GISs) have emerged as indispensable tools in this domain and provide detailed spatial analysis and visualization capabilities. This paper explores the development and application of a specific set of GIS tools called RiverMetrics, which was designed to monitor and analyze rivers’ changes over time. By leveraging these advanced tools, researchers and environmental managers can gain deeper insights into river dynamics, enabling informed decision-making to safeguard these vital ecosystems. This paper details the functionalities and benefits of these GIS tools and demonstrates their critical role in river conservation efforts. The Paglia River in Central Italy serves as a case study for demonstrating the validity of RiverMetrics tools in monitoring long-term trends. The tools offer significant advantages for monitoring and calculating various indexes such as the sinuosity, braiding index, and profile trend. They also provide researchers with a simple way to process spatial data with precision and efficiency, increasing their ability to perform correct environmental monitoring.