Human impact on fluvial systems in Europe with special regard to today’s river restorations

Abstract Climate, geology, geomorphology, soil, vegetation, hydrology, and human impact affect river–floodplain systems, especially their sediment load channel morphology. Since the beginning of Holocene, activity is present at different scales from catchment to has had an increasing influence on fluvial systems. Today, many systems are transformed in course river restorations “natural” hydrodynamic morphodynamic conditions without impacts. Information missing for historical or rather as well present-day situation. Changes fluxes last centuries result changes The success depends substantial knowledge about morphodynamics. Therefore, it necessary analyze consequences impacts morphodynamics additionally future implications restorations. objective this review summarize since Holocene Europe morphodynamics, critically investigate environment, evaluate possibility return a morphological state.