Ecology question....?

Question

Will a high gradient stream or a low gradient stream likely have a large population center near them? and why??

Answer 1

It depends on the surrounding land gradient. I would suppose that a low gradient stream would have easier access for fishing, watering, travel, and animal cultivation, and still prvide power or mechanical productivity, while a high-grade would provide better propulsion for electrical and mechanical processes. But if the surrounding land mass is low grade, then either can be a significant benefit to a population. But you don't usually find low grade land mass with high grade streams. I would definitely go with low gradient.

And by the way, flooding is more possible on high gradient streams, due to the speed of the water. Low gradient streams at low ELEVATION are more prone to flooding, but that doesn't have any effect on the population, it seems.

Answer 2

High gradient stream will have a greater population center nearby because it is less prone to flooding due to the high gradient going away from the population center.