Fluvial systems in tropical regions are characterised by some of the highest sediment yields on Earth. The combination of high precipitation levels and regions of active tectonics produce some of the most dynamic landscape on the planet. These regions are also some of the most heavily populated and productive areas in the world. The fluvial systems which dissect these regions act as important conveyor belts, transporting vast quantities of sediment and nutrients to sink zones in alluvial floodplains, deltas and continental shelf deposits. Our understanding of the geomorphic processes occurring in these environments has recently started to improve with the advent of high-resolution monitoring capabilities. However, much of our knowledge is often dispersed both temporally, and spatially. Furthermore, an appreciation of the role that large scale climatic variability (e.g. ENSO) and more local, extrinsic, events (e.g. tropical cyclones) play on modulating the processes of sediment delivery and transport to these sink is incomplete. Improving our understanding of fluvial geomorphic processes and the role of climate in controlling sediment dynamics in tropical river systems is necessary to help protect some of the most vulnerable regions of the world. This session invites contributions focussed on all aspects of sediment dynamics and associated geomorphological processes in tropical regions at scales ranging from local bank erosion to continental scale channel evolution, and over timescales ranging from the contemporary to the millennial. Contributions which highlight the use of novel field-based or remote sensing techniques are especially welcome.

This session is sponsored by the British Society for Geomorphology.