Abstract
Most Alpine rivers feature highly altered hydromorphological conditions due to hydropower production and flood mitigation purposes. The river Ahr/Aurino (Italian Alps) was characterized until mid 20th century by a meandering/anastomosed pattern, with large riparian areas. Starting from the 1970s, it underwent intense channel adjustments as a result of local gravel mining and of the sediment retention by a hydropower dam and several check-dams along its tributaries. Bed incision and the following bank stabilization works disconnected hydraulically and morphologically the floodplain woodlands, thus affecting growth and dynamics of the alder woodlands. Cross-section narrowing and deepening brought about bed armouring and reduction of in-channel morphological diversity, with consequences for aquatic habitats. Restoration works (channel widening and bed raising) were carried out in different reaches of the river Ahr from 2003 to 2011. The ecological effects of restoration interventions are being monitored by analyzing macrobenthos and fish populations as well as vegetation establishment and tree growth.