Rivers and valley bottoms take many forms. However, the form and function of most watercourses have been grossly impacted by the influence of humans. River systems have become homogenised, having been adapted and managed for purposes that work against natural processes and perceptions of natural rivers have subsequently become biased towards a managed state as ‘real rivers’ become rarer. Restoration and naturalisation initiatives suffer from a lack of insight and ambition, concentrating on a limited range of end states and failing to adequately consider driving processes. This is unsustainable and ultimately wasteful of resources and opportunities.

This session invites contributions from river scientists, catchment managers and restoration practitioners that showcase exemplar river systems. By highlighting the variety of river types and detailing their functional requirements this session will inform, inspire, and motivate more appropriate river restoration, considering channel and valley bottom systems and fundamentally altering approaches to restoration.