Riverscape

[[File:Meandering river (8029733984).jpg|thumb|Aerial view of a riverscape of the Kugruk River (Alaska)]] A '''riverscape'''<ref>[https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/riverscape Collins English Dictionary] ''Riverscape'' meaning by Collins English Dictionary</ref> (also called '''river landscape''')<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/z327gdm/revision/1 BBC Bitesize] ''River landscapes'' (part of: Landscapes and Physical Processes)</ref> 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. [[File:Panoramic view of Nature area Meinerswijk at Arnhem, with Konik (Polish) horses - panoramio.jpg|thumb|Riverine landscape along the lower course of the Rhine (Netherlands)]]

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.<ref>[http://lib.oup.com.au/secondary/geography/Big_Ideas_Geography/8/Oxford-Big-Ideas-Geography-8-ch1-Landforms-and-landscapes.pdf Oxford Big Ideas Geography] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201110203352/http://lib.oup.com.au/secondary/geography/Big_Ideas_Geography/8/Oxford-Big-Ideas-Geography-8-ch1-Landforms-and-landscapes.pdf |date=2020-11-10 }} ''Landforms and landscapes''</ref> The word ''riverine'' is also used as an adjective which means "relating to or found on a river or the banks of a river".<ref>[https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/riverine Cambridge Dictionary] ''Riverine'' meaning by Cambridge Dictionary</ref>

==Upper course== [[File:Upper waterfalls of the Skogafoss Iceland 2005 5.JPG|thumb|Riverscape of the upper course of the Skógá River (Iceland)]] In the upper course of rivers, channels are narrow and gradients are steep.<ref>[http://www.geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk/topics/river_upper_course.html Internet Geography] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200629004401/http://www.geography.learnontheinternet.co.uk/topics/river_upper_course.html |date=2020-06-29 }} ''Upper course of a river''</ref> Vertical erosion is the prominent land-forming process. Typical features of upper course riverscapes include: * Interlocking spurs * Braided channels * V-shaped valleys * Giant's kettles * Plunge pools * Alluvial fans * Tributaries * Waterfalls * Potholes * Gorges * Rapids

==Middle course== [[File:Middle reaches of the Manor Valley - geograph.org.uk - 1540892.jpg|thumb|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: * U-shaped valleys * Riparian forests * Slip-off slopes * Oxbow lakes * Tributaries * Cut banks * Meanders * Marshes * Riffles * Pools

==Lower course== [[File:Torun Wisla 2015 08 19 11.jpg|thumb|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: * Wide flat-bottomed valleys * River groynes * Large bridges * Distributaries * River deltas * Floodplains * Meanders * Levees * Kolks

==Landscape art== Riverscapes are popular subjects in landscape paintings. In addition to the use of the word ''riverscape'' in geography, the term is also associated with landscape art. 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. Below are some examples of riverscape paintings. <gallery> Jacques Fouquier - Riverscape with the Baptism of Christ.jpg|''Riverscape with the Baptism of Christ'', by Jacques Fouquier Salomon van Ruysdael - River Landscape with Ferry - Google Art Project.jpg|''River Landscape with Ferry'' by Salomon van Ruysdael (1649) File:John Constable - Waterloo Bridge - Google Art Project.jpg|''Waterloo Bridge'' by John Constable (1820) Jean-Antoine-Théodore de Gudin - Riverscape with Boats - Walters 371631.jpg|''Riverscape with Boats'', by Adam August Müller (1828) Rivierlandschap met everzwijnjacht Rijksmuseum SK-A-3949.jpeg|''River Landscape with a Boar Hunt'', by Joos de Momper (circa 1600) Annibale Carracci, River Landscape, c. 1590, NGA 41673.jpg|''River Landscape'', by Annibale Carracci (circa 1590) </gallery>

==Photo gallery== <gallery> Irpin oxbow2.jpg|Oxbow lake along the Irpin River (Ukraine) Riverscape - panoramio.jpg|Riverscape of the Kyle of Sutherland (Scotland) Meander bends and oxbow.png|Aerial view of a meander in the Red River (Texas) Memphis Bridge.jpg|The Mississippi River (Tennessee) Black River Riparian Forest 04.jpg|Riparian forest with a remnant of the Black River (Washington) Марсъянди сама на себя не похожа.jpg|Interlocking spurs along the Marsyangdi River (Nepal) IJsselkop.jpg|Bifurcation point of the Nederrijn and IJssel (Netherlands) Irtysh River landscape in the Burqin.jpg|Landscape of the Irtysh River (Xinjiang, China) Nortmoor - Am Deich (Aussichtsturm) 01 ies.jpg|Levee at the Jümme River (Germany) Wilsons Promontory National Park (AU), Tidal River -- 2019 -- 1666.jpg|A meander in the Tidal River (Victoria) MariaValeriaBridge.jpg|Lower course riverscape of the Danube (Hungary) Regnitz Herbst Buger Wiesen 121704.jpg|Riverbank of the Regnitz (Germany) Kuiseb Namibia anagoria.JPG|Riverscape of the Kuiseb River (Namibia) Wiel in Buurmalsen.jpg|A kolk along the Linge (Netherlands) </gallery>

==References== {{Reflist}} {{Commons category}}

Category:Rivers Category:Fluvial landforms Category:Water and the environment Category:Geomorphology