cff-version: 1.2.0
abstract: "<p>Large-amplitude
meanders may form in low-energy rivers despite generally limited mobility in
theses systems. Exceptionally large meanders which even extend beyond the
valley sides have developed in the Overijsselse Vecht river (the Netherlands)
between ca. 1400 CE (Common Era) and the early 1900s, when channelization
occurred. Previous studies have attributed the enhanced lateral dynamics of
this river to changes in river regime due to increased discharges, reflecting
climate and/or land-use alterations in the catchment. This paper focuses on
local aspects that may explain why exceptionally large meanders developed at
specific sites. Through an integrated analysis based on archaeological,
historical, and geomorphological data along with optically stimulated
luminescence dating, we investigated the relative impact of three direct and
indirect anthropogenic causes for the local morphological change and enhanced
lateral migration rates: (1) lack of strategies to manage fluvial erosion; (2)
a strong increase in the number of farmsteads and related intensified local
land use from the High Middle Ages onwards; and (3) (human-induced) drift-sand
activity directly adjacent to the river bends, causing a change in bank stability.
Combined, these factors led locally to meander amplitudes well beyond the
valley sides. Lessons learned at this site are relevant for management and
restoration of meandering rivers in similar settings elsewhere, particularly in
meeting the need to estimate spatial demands of (restored) low-energy fluvial
systems and manage bank erosion.</p>"
authors:
  - family-names: Quik
    given-names: C. (Cindy)
  - family-names: Candel
    given-names: J.H.J. (Jasper)
  - family-names: Makaske
    given-names: B. (Bart)
  - family-names: Maas
    given-names: G.J. (Gilbert)
  - family-names: Verplak
    given-names: M. (Menno)
  - family-names: van Beek
    given-names: R. (Roy)
  - family-names: Paulissen
    given-names: M. (Maurice)
  - family-names: Wallinga
    given-names: J. (Jakob)
    orcid: "https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4061-3066"
title: "Data from: Anthropogenic drivers for the rapid formation of extremely large meanders during the Late Holocene"
keywords:
version: 1
identifiers:
  - type: doi
    value: 10.4121/uuid:c9c892de-4f3f-4c1b-b684-17c700b02f31
license: CC BY 4.0
date-released: 2020-10-20