The flood pulse concept of large rivers: learning from the tropics

River-floodplain systems are specific ecosystems with very complex land-wat er interactions and a highly adapted flora and fauna. In temperate zones, t hey have been intensively modified by man for many decades, and only small areas are left in a relatively undisturbed condition. Furthermore, the impa ct of the flood pulse is often camouflaged by the annual temperature/light pulse. In the humid tropics there are still large undisturbed river-floodpl ain systems, where the impact of the flood pulse can be studied without the interference of the temperature/light pulse. The flood pulse concept is pr esented and its implications for temperate river-floodplain systems are dis cussed.