Effects of reed beds management on the hydrodynamic behaviour of vegetated open channels

This work presents the results of experimental activities carried out during a 3-years research program, to assess the effects of infesting reed beds on the mean and turbulent hydrodynamic features of vegetated reclamation channels at field scale. The devices and methodologies employed in the experiments represent an innovation in the study of vegetative flow resistance directly at field. Different management scenarios of the vegetated cover were evaluated, with the aim to assess the optimal strategy for balancing the need for an effective hydraulic conveyance and the need to preserve the environmental quality of the vegetated water bodies.