The geomorphological and ecological functioning of the Silala River

Abstract Perennial rivers in desert regions are relevant environments that tend to concentrate most ecosystem services and values, but not as studied much intermittent ephemeral rivers. This article reports on the main morphological ecological features of Silala River, a narrow permanent river arid region Antofagasta, north Chile. The study was motivated by dispute between Chile Bolivia concerning status an international watercourse. Field surveys sediment transport using traps marked sediments (colored tagged clasts) revealed finer moved higher percentages for longer distances than coarser fractions, which corroborates size‐selective nature dynamics river. stream typical step/pool‐plane bed morphology is be expected alluvial with given boundary conditions slope, grain size sediments, lateral confinement. Furthermore, Morphological Quality Index (MQI) classifies featuring overall good hosts abundant population rainbow trout ( Oncorhynchus mykiss ). Although this non‐native species, their presence shows general (availability food aquatic habitats) able sustain resident fish. Overall, forms, geomorphic processes, River flow regime. categorized under: Science Water > Environmental Change Human Rights Hydrological Processes Life Nature Freshwater Ecosystems