Abstract
Complexities emerge both on theoretical and practical levels as soon as auto-sustaining river restoration of heavily modified alpine rivers segments is urgently required and socially desired.Distances and deviations from dynamic equilibrium conditions characterize not only the hydro-morphological and ecological structure of the stream segment under consideration but the whole connectivity with respect to sediment fluxes both in upstream (i.e. feeding region) and downstream direction (i.e. emission region). Re-establishing developed connectivity networks as a prerequisite for the implementation of successful restoration schemes would be the preferred (ideal) option from a geomorphic perspective; seemingly irreversible land-use changes and constructive alterations of the stream network,however, render operationally impossible, economically unfeasible and socially unacceptable, such an approach under current conditions. Hence, we suggest general and flexibly applicable restoration patterns to achieve a locally effective restoration without precluding larger scale hydro-morphological restorations. The general characteristic is a tripartite structure of the restoration project area featuring an upper feeding region where sediment inflow fluxes can be artificially adjusted, a free development region where uncontrolled dynamics is allowed (ideally also for lateral mobility) and a control region where extreme evolutions implying flood risk consequences are buffered. Confluence regions merit particular monitoring attention. A retrospective account of efforts put so far in less-structured restoration projects in South Tyrol, Italy corroborates the necessity to develop structured restoration patterns and robust monitoring schemes