What ecological factors do you think might come into play when deciding how to time a pulse flow?

Presence of different species: Assay the species inhabiting the area of the river corridor. These species include invertebrates, animals such as fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, and plants living near the shore and on the floodplain. These species might be affected in some portion of their life cycles by the difference in the river pulse flows. Life stages and population dynamics might be considered of importance when timing the pulse flow.

Hydraulic characteristics: Habitat in aquatic systems varies according to the season and the pulse flow. Depth, velocity, substrate, and instream cover might be considered important factors influencing the presence of different species and their development.

Geomorphology: Refers to the shape of the channel and floodplain. These will depend on the stream velocity, sedimentation, depth, among others. The river geomorphology is in constant change, from season to season. This dynamic also affects the shape of the floodplain and riparian zone.

Water quality: Refers to the difference in sediments, suspended elements, available nutrients, dissolved oxygen, and temperature. All of these affect and influence different forms of life and their evolution through the corresponding cycle stages.