A geo-eco-hydrological approach is developed and applied to assess river condition for three anabranching reaches in the Source Zone of the Yellow River. Building on principles of the River Styles Framework, attributes used to assess river condition are tailored to measure key attributes of the character and behavior for the type of river under consideration. Hydrogeomorphic process linkages with riparian vegetation function are appraised using the Fluvial Biogeomorphic Succession Model for each reach. Reference conditions incorporate measures of river geo-eco-hydrological structural integrity and functional connectivity, relating the expected “best achievable” conditions to prevailing land use practices in these grazing adapted grassland ecosystems. Contemporary conditions closely approximate expected reference conditions in hydro-geomorphic terms. While vegetation interactions function effectively in the active channel zone, they are subject to land use pressures in many floodplain areas. Minimizing impacts of direct anthropogenic disturbance, while promoting passive management practices that support self-sustaining processes, are considered to offer the best prospect to maintain good river condition in these reaches. Major commitment to environmental protection in this area makes this a realistic possibility. The generic approach to analysis of geo-eco-hydrological condition is readily transferable to other situations.

中文翻译：

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黄河源区西部大支流地质生态水文条件评价

开发并应用地质生态水文方法来评估黄河源区三个分支河段的河流状况。基于河流风格框架的原则，用于评估河流状况的属性经过定制，以衡量所考虑河流类型的特征和行为的关键属性。使用河流生物地貌演替模型评估每个河段的水文地貌过程与河岸植被功能的联系。参考条件包括河流地质-生态-水文结构完整性和功能连通性的措施，将预期的“最佳可实现”条件与这些适应放牧的草地生态系统中的普遍土地利用做法联系起来。当代条件非常接近水文地貌方面的预期参考条件。虽然植被相互作用在活跃河道区有效发挥作用，但它们在许多洪泛区受到土地利用压力。最大限度地减少直接人为干扰的影响，同时促进支持自我维持过程的被动管理做法，被认为是保持这些河段良好河流状况的最佳前景。该地区对环境保护的重大承诺使这成为现实的可能性。分析地质-生态-水文条件的通用方法很容易转移到其他情况。最大限度地减少直接人为干扰的影响，同时促进支持自我维持过程的被动管理做法，被认为是保持这些河段良好河流状况的最佳前景。该地区对环境保护的重大承诺使这成为现实的可能性。分析地质-生态-水文条件的通用方法很容易转移到其他情况。最大限度地减少直接人为干扰的影响，同时促进支持自我维持过程的被动管理做法，被认为是保持这些河段良好河流状况的最佳前景。该地区对环境保护的重大承诺使这成为现实的可能性。分析地质-生态-水文条件的通用方法很容易转移到其他情况。