Riverscape

A riverscape[1] (also called river landscape)[2] comprises the features of the landscape which can be found on and along a river. Most features of riverscapes include natural landforms (such as meanders and oxbow lakes) but they can also include artificial landforms (such as man-made levees and river groynes). Riverscapes can be divided into upper course riverscapes, middle course riverscapes, and lower course riverscapes.

Riverine landscape along the lower course of the Rhine (Netherlands)
Aerial view of a riverscape of the Kugruk River (Alaska)

The term riverine is sometimes used to indicate the same type of landscape as a riverscape, or only the riverbank. Riverine landscapes may also be defined as a network of rivers and their surrounding land, which is excellent for agricultural use because of the rich and fertile soil.[3] The word riverine is also used as an adjective which means "relating to or found on a river, or the banks of a river".[4]

Upper course
Riverscape of the upper course of the Skógá River (Iceland)

In the upper course of rivers, channels are narrow and gradients are steep.[5] Vertical erosion is the prominent land-forming process. Typical features of upper course riverscapes include:

Middle course
Middle course riverscape of the Manor Water (Scotland)

In the middle course of rivers, the discharge increases and the gradient flattens out. Typical features of middle course riverscapes include:

Lower course
Lower course riverscape of the Vistula (Poland)

In the lower course of rivers, the channels are wide and deep, and the discharge is at its highest. Typical features of lower course riverscapes include:

Landscape art
Landscape painting Riverscape with Boats by Adam August Müller

Riverscapes are popular subjects in landscape paintings (landscape art). Sometimes the term 'riverscape' is associated with landscape art rather than geography. In visual arts the term 'river scene' is considered a synonym for the word 'riverscape'. Related terms used in visual arts include 'seascape', 'cloudscape' and 'cityscape'. A well-known riverscape painter was Salomon van Ruysdael.

See also

References
  1. Collins English Dictionary Riverscape meaning by Collins English Dictionary
  2. BBC Bitesize River landscapes
  3. Oxford Big Ideas Geography Landforms and landscapes
  4. Cambridge Dictionary Riverine meaning by Cambridge Dictionary
  5. Internet Geography Upper course of a river
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