Publications 1990-Present
Professor Nick Clifford
Published output demonstrate strong representation in: fundamental process geomorphology;
numerical flow simulation and computational fluid dynamics; explorations of the emerging
techniques used in eco-hydraulics and aquatic resource management; development and
application of scale data sets relating to river management and river restoration; and scholarly
historical commentary on river science and physical geography, and on the present structure
and configuration of the discipline of Geography.
1990
Farres, P. J., Clifford, N. J. and White, I. D. Subsurface colluviation - an example from west Sussex.
Catena 17: 551-561.
Jarvis, R. and Clifford, N. J. Specific Geomorphometry. In: Goudie, A. S. et al. (eds), Geomorphological
Techniques, 2nd edition: 63-70.
1991
Clifford, N. J., McClatchey, J. and French, J. R. Measurements of turbulence in the benthic boundarylayer over a gravel bed – Discussion. Sedimentology 37: 161-171.
Hooke, J. M., Bayliss, D. H. & Clifford, N. J. Bank erosion on navigable waterways. NRA Project Rpt.
225/1/T.
Richards, K. S. and Clifford, N. J. Fluvial geomorphology - structured beds in gravelly rivers.
Progress in Physical Geography 15: 407-22.
1992
Clifford, N. J. and Richards, K. S. The reversal hypothesis and the maintenance of riffle-pool
sequences. In: Carling, P. A. & Petts, G. E. (eds.), Lowland Floodplain Rivers: geomorphological
perspectives. Chichester, John Wiley & Sons: 43-70.
Clifford, N. J., Richards, K. S. and Robert, A. The influence of microform bed roughness elements on
flow and sediment transport in gravel-bed rivers – comment. Earth Surface Processes and
Landforms 17: 529-534.
Clifford, N. J., Robert, A. and Richards, K. S. Estimation of flow resistance in gravel-bedded rivers: a
physical explanation of the multiplier of roughness length. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms
17: 111-126.
French, J. R. and Clifford, N. J. Characteristics of near-bed turbulence in a tidal salt marsh creek.
Estuarine and Coastal Shelf Science 34: 49-69.
French, J. R. and Clifford, N. J. Estimation of turbulence parameters within intertidal salt marsh
channels. In: Falconer, R. A., Shiono, K. and Matthew, R. G. S. (eds.) Hydraulic and environmental
modelling: estuarine and river waters. Aldershot, Ashgate: 41-52.
1993
Clifford, N. J. Differential bed sedimentology and the maintenance of riffle-pool sequences. Catena
20: 447-468.
Clifford, N. J. Formation of riffle-pool sequences: field evidence for an autogenetic process.
Sedimentary Geology 85: 39 -51.
Clifford, N. J. Twin pillars of physical geography - Monkhouse and Sparks revisited. Geography
78:208-210.
Clifford, N. J. The end of equilibrium – discussion. In: Richards, K. S. (ed.) The Vaughan Lewis
Seminars, No. 3. Dept. Geography, University of Cambridge.
Clifford, N. J., Hardisty, J., French, J. R. and Hart, S. Downstream variation in bed material
characteristics: a turbulence-controlled form-process feedback mechanism. In: Best, J. L. and
Bristow, C. S. (eds.), Braided Rivers. Geological Society of London Special Publication 75: 89-104.
Clifford, N. J. The analysis of turbulence time series from geophysical boundary layers: statistical
and correlation approaches using the MINITAB package. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 18:
845- 854.
Book
Clifford, N. J., French, J. R., and Hardisty, J. (eds.), Turbulence: perspectives on flow and
sediment transport. Chichester, John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Clifford, N. J. and French, J. R. Monitoring and modelling turbulent flows: historical and
contemporary perspectives.
Clifford, N. J. and French, J. R. Monitoring and analysis of turbulence in geophysical boundary
layers: some analytical and conceptual issues.
French, J. R., Clifford, N. J., and Spencer, T. High frequency flow and suspended sediment
measurements in a tidal wetland channel.
1994
Clifford, N. J. Near-boundary turbulence characteristics in coarse fluvial environments. NERC Final
Report GR9/918.
Clifford, N. J. Bigger and/or better? Teaching and innovation for larger classes. Journal of Geography
in Higher Education 25: 251.
1995
Clifford, N. J., Richards, K. S., Brown, R. A. and Lane, S. N. Scales of variation of suspended sediment
concentration and turbidity in a glacial meltwater stream. Geografiska Annaler 77A: 45-65
Clifford, N. J., Richards, K. S., Brown, R. A. and Lane, S. N. Laboratory and field assessment of an
infra-red turbidity probe and its response to particle size and variation in suspended sediment
concentration. Hydrological Sciences Journal 40: 771-791.
1996
Clifford, N. J. Morphology and stage-dependent flow structure in a gravel-bedded river. In:
Ashworth, P. J., Bennett, S., Best, J. L. and McLelland, S. (eds.), Coherent flow structures. Chichester,
John Wiley & Sons: 545-566.
Clifford, N. J. The hydraulic geometry of river channels. Classics in physical geography revisited.
Progress in Physical Geography 20: 81-87.
Clifford, N. J. and French, J. R. Criteria for suspended sediment monitoring in river environments:
field evaluation of contrasting turbidity sensor types using simulated sediment transport events. In:
Maxwell, W. H. C., Preul, H. C. and Stout, G. E. (eds.), Proceedings Rivertech96, 1st International
Conference on New/Emerging Concepts for Rivers: 754-761.
Clifford, N. J. and McClatchey, J. Identifying the timescales of environmental change: the
instrumental record. In: Driver, T. S. and Chapman, G. P. (eds.), Timescales and environmental
change. London, Routledge: 88-107.
1997
Clifford, N. J. A comparison of flow intensities from alluvial rivers: characteristics and
implications for modelling flow processes. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 23:109-121.
Richards, K. S., Brooks, S. M., Clifford, N. J., Harris, T. M. and Lane, S. N. Theory, measurement
and testing in 'real' geomorphology. In: Stoddart, D. R. (ed.), Process and Form in
Geomorphology. Oxford, Basil Blackwell: 265-292.
Book
Clifford, N. J. Inside-out guides: discovering the mysteries of our planet. London, DorlingKindersley Books.
1998
Clifford, N. J. and French, J. R. Restoration of channel physical environment in smaller, moderate
gradient rivers: geomorphological bases for design criteria. In: Sherwood, B. (ed.), United
Kingdom Floodplains. Otley, Westbury: 63-82.
Adams, B. A., French, J. R. and Clifford, N. J. Aerial photography as a source of saltmarsh channel
network measurements: an analysis of errors. Proceedings of the Remote Sensing Society Annual
Conference, Greenwich, UK.
1999
French, C.E., French, J.R., Clifford, N.J., & Watson, C.J. Abandoned reclamations as analogues for
sea defence realignment: implications for engineering design. In: Kraus, N.C. and McDougal W.G
(eds.), Coastal Sediments 99. New York, American Society of Civil Engineers: 1912-1926.
2000
Agnew, C. T., Clifford, N. J. and Haylett, S. Alleviating low flows in regulated rivers: the
Bulbourne and the Gade, Herts. U. K.. Regulated Rivers: Research and Management 16: 245-266.
French, J. R. and Clifford, N. J. Hydrodynamic modelling as a basis for explaining estuarine
envirnmental dynamics: some conceptual and methodological issues. Hydrological Processes 14:
2089-2108.
French, C.E., French, J.R., Clifford, N.J., and Watson, C.J. Sedimentation-erosion dynamics of
abandoned reclamations: the role of waves and tides. Continental Shelf Research 20: 1711-1733.
2001
Clifford, N. J. Conservation and the river channel environment. In: Warren, A. and French, J.
(eds.), Habitat conservation: managing the physical environment. Chichester, John Wiley & Sons:
67-104.
Clifford, N. J. Physical geography: the naughty world revisited. Transactions of the Institute of
British Geographers NS 26: 387-389.
2002
Clifford, N. J. Hydrology: the changing paradigm. Progress in Physical Geography 26: 290-301.
Clifford, N. J. (2002) The future of Geography: when the whole is less than the sum of its parts.
Geoforum 33: 431-436.
Clifford, N. J., Soar, P. J., Emery, J. C., Gurnell, A. M. and Petts, G. E. Sustaining water related
ecosystems – the role of in-stream bedform design in river channel rehabilitation. In: Friend
2002 – Regional hydrology: bridging the gap between research and practice. IAHS Publication no.
274: 407-413.
Clifford, N. J., Soar, P. J., Emery, J. C., Gurnell, A. M. and Petts, G. E. Numerical flow modelling for
eco-hydraulic and river rehabilitation applications: a case study of the River Cole, Birmingham,
UK. In: Bousmar, D. and Zech, Y (eds.), River Flow 2002 – Proceedings of the International
Conference on Fluvial Hydraulics, 4-6 September 2002, Louvain-le-Neuve, Belgium. Lisse, Swets
& Zeitlinger/Balkema: 1195-1204.
2003
Book
Clifford, N. J. and Valentine, G. (eds.) Key methods in geography. London, SAGE: 250pp.
Emery, J. C., Gurnell, A. M., Clifford, N. J., Petts, G. E. and Soar, P. S. Classifying the performance of
riffle-pool bedforms for habitat assessment and river rehabilitation design. River Research and
Applications 19: 533-549.
2004
Clifford, N. J., Soar, P. J., Gurnell, A. M., Petts, G. E. and Emery, J. C. Exploring the potential of
numerical simulations of river velocities for eco-hydraulics and rehabilitation design: some
experiences with the SSIIM 3-D code. In Webb, B. et al. (eds.), Hydrology – science and practice
for the 21st century. Proceedings of the BHS International Conference, Imperial College, London
July 2004: 48-55.
Clifford, N. J., Harmar, O., Gurnell, A.M. and Petts, G. E. Numerical simulation of habitat
preferences: geostatistical appraisal for eco-hydraulic and river restoration applications. In:
Lastra, D. G. de J. and Martinez, P. V. (eds.), Aquatic habitats: analysis and restoration. Fifth
International Symposium on Ecohydraulics, Madrid, 2004. IAHR Congress Proceedings: 777781.
Goodson, J. M., Davenport, A. J., Gurnell, A. M., Mountford, J. O., Thompson. K. and Clifford, N. J.
Patterns of hydrochory and sediment deposition along UK river corridors.. In: Lastra, D. G. de J.
and Martinez, P. V. (eds.), Aquatic habitats: analysis and restoration. Fifth International
Symposium on Ecohydraulics, Madrid, 2004. IAHR Congress Proceedings: 1061-1066.
Emery, J. C., Gurnell, A. M., Clifford, N. J. and Petts, G. E. Characteristics and controls of gravelbed riffles: an analysis of data from the River Habitat Survey. Journal, CIWEM 18: 210-216.
2005
Clifford, N. J. and Skinner, K. River restoration: an overview of approaches from a habitat and
geomorphological perspective. In: Pierson, G. (ed.), Proceedings of the 34th Annual Study Course,
2003. Institute of Fisheries Management: 79-97.
Clifford, N. J. and Richards, K. S. Earth System science: an oxymoron? Earth Surface Processes
and Landforms 30: 379-383.
Clifford, N. J., Soar, P. J., Harmar, O. P., Gurnell, A. M., Petts, G. E. and Emery, J. C. Assessment of
hydrodynamic simulation results for eco-hydrological and eco-hydraulic applications: a spatial
semivariance approach. Hydrological Processes 19: 3631-3648.
Harmar, O. P., Clifford, N. J. Thorne, C. R. and Biedenharn, D. Morphological changes of the
Lower Mississippi River: geomorphological response to engineering intervention. River
Research and Applications 21: 1-25.
2006
Clifford, N. J., Harmar, O. P., Harvey, G. and Petts, G. E. Physical habitat, eco-hydraulics and river
design: a review and re-evaluation of some popular concepts and methods. Aquatic
Conservation, Marine and Freshwater Science 16: 389-408.
Gurnell, A. M., Boitsidis, A. J., Thompson, K. and Clifford, N. J. Seedbank, seed dispersal and
vegetation cover: colonization along a newly-created river channel. Journal of Vegetation
Science 17: 665-674.
Gurnell, A. M., Morrissey, I. P., Boitsidis, A. J., Clifford, N. J., Petts, G. E. and Thompson, K. Initial
adjustments within a new river channel: interactions between fluvial processes, colonising
vegetation and bank profile development. Environmental Management 38: 580-596.
Harmar, O. P. and Clifford, N. J. Planform dynamics of the Lower Mississippi River. Earth
Surface Processes and Landforms 31: 825-843.
2007
Clifford, N. J. River restoration: paradigms, paradoxes and the urban dimension. Water Science
and Technology: Water Supply 7: 57–68.
Gurnell, A.M., Goodson, J., Thompson, K., Clifford, N. J. and Armitage, P. The river bed: a dynamic
store for plant propagules? Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 32: 1257-1272.
Gurnell, A.M., Goodson, J., Thompson, K., Mountford, O, and Clifford, N. Three seedling
emergence methods in soil seed bank studies: implications for interpretation of propagule
deposition in riparian zones. Seed Science Research 17: 183-199.
Harmar, O. P. and Clifford, N. J. Geomorphological explanation of the Long profile of the Lower
Mississippi River. Geomorphology 84: 220-240.
-----In the UK REF period from 2008 to the present there have been the following
publications (REF submissions in RED):
2008
Clifford, N. J. Models in Geography revisited. Geoforum 39: 675-686.
Clifford, N. J., Acreman, M. C. and Booker, B. J. Hydrological and hydraulic aspects of river
restoration uncertainty for ecological purposes. In: Darby, S. and Sear, D. (eds.), River
restoration: managing the uncertainty in restoring physical habitat. Chichester, John Wiley: 105138.
Clifford, N. J. Channel form and process, c. 1890 – 1965. In Burt, T. P. et al. (eds.), History of the
study of landforms, Vol. 4. London, The Geological Society: 217-324. [REF double weighting
applied for]
Harvey, G. L. and Clifford, N. J. Distribution of biologically functional habitats within a lowland
river. Aquatic Ecosystem Health and Management 11: 465-473.
Harvey, G. L., Clifford, N. J. and Gurnell, A. M. Towards an ecologically meaningful classification
of the flow biotope for river inventory, rehabilitation, design and appraisal purposes. Journal of
Environmental Management 88: 638-650.
Harvey, G. L., Gurnell, A. M. and Clifford, N. J. Characterisation of river reaches: the influence of
rock type. Catena 76: 78-88.
Richards, K. S. and Clifford, N. J. Science, systems and geomorphologies: why LESS may be more.
Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 33: 1323-1340.
2009
Book
Clifford, N. J., Holloway, S., Rice, S. and Valentine, G. (eds.) Key Concepts in Geography.
London, SAGE: 2nd edn.
Clifford, N. J. Globalisation: a physical perspective. Progress in Physical Geography 33: 5-16.
Clifford, N. J. Physical Geography. In Gregory, D. J. et al. (eds.), The Dictionary of Human
Geography. Wiley- Blackwell: 531-538.
Harvey, G. L., and Clifford, N. J. Microscale hydrodynamics and coherent flow structures in
rivers: implications for the characterisation of physical habitat. River Research and Applications
25: 160-180.
Harvey, G. and Clifford, N. J. River Channel Restoration for Ecological Improvement. In Pardue,
G. H. and Olvera, T. K. (eds.), Ecological Restoration. New York, Nova Publishers: 47-80.
2010
Clifford, N. J., Harvey, G., Gurnell, A. M., Harmar, O. P. and Soar, P. J. Numerical modeling of river
flow for eco-hydraulic applications: some experiences with velocity characterization in field and
simulated data. Journal of Hydraulic Engineering 136: 1033-1041.
Bradley, C., Clay, A., Clifford, N. J., Gurnell, A. M. and Emery, J. Variations in saturated and
unsaturated water movement through an upland floodplain wetland, mid-Wales. Journal of
Hydrology 393: 349-361.
Harvey, G. L. and Clifford, N. J. Experimental field assessment of suspended sediment pathways
for characterising hydraulic habitat. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 35: 600-610. [REF
reserve output]
2011
Clifford, N. J. Rivers and drainage basins. In Agnew, J. and Livingstone, D. (eds.), Handbook of
Geographical Knowledge. London, SAGE: 502-527.
Harvey, G.L., Moorhouse, T.P., Clifford, N.J., Henshaw, A.J., Johnson, M.F., Macdonald, D.W., Reid,
I., and Rice, S.P. Evaluating the role of invasive aquatic species as drivers of fine sedimentrelated river management problems: the case of the signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus).
Progress in Physical Geography 35: 517-53
Abrahart, R. J., Mount, N., Ab Ghani, N., Clifford, N. J. and Dawson, C. W. DAMP: A protocol for
contextualising goodness-of-fit statistics in sediment-discharge data-driven modelling. Journal
of Hydrology 409: 596-611.
Parker, C., Clifford, N. and Thorne, C. Automatic delineation of functional river reach boundaries
for river research and applications. River Research and Applications 28: 1708-1725.
Parker, C., Clifford, N. and Thorne, C. Understanding the influence of slope on the threshold of
coarse grain motion: Revisiting critical stream power. Geomorphology 126: 51-65.
Richards, K. S. and Clifford, N. J. The Nature of Explanation in Geomorphology. In Gregory, K.
and Goudie, A. (eds.), The Handbook of Geomorphology. London, SAGE: 35-59.
2012
Book
Clifford, N. J., French, S. and Valentine, G. (eds.) Key methods in Geography. London, SAGE:
2nd edn.
Clifford, N. J. River Restoration: Widening Perspectives. In Church, M., Biron P. and Roy, A. G.
(eds.), Gravel Bed Rivers: Processes, Tools, Environments. Wiley-Blackwell: 150-159.
2013
Henshaw, A. J., Thorne, C. R. and Clifford, N. J. Identifying causes and controls of river bank
erosion in a British upland catchment. Catena 100: 107-119
2014
Harvey, G. L., Henshaw, A, J., Moorhouse, T. P., Clifford, N. J., Holah, H., Grey, J. and Macdonald, D.
Invasive crayfish as drivers of fine sediment dynamics in rivers: field and laboratory evidence.
Earth Surface Processes and Landforms 39: 259-271.
Parker, C., Thorne, C. R., and Clifford, N. J. Development of ST:REAM: a reach-based stream
power balance approach for predicting alluvial river channel adjustment. Earth Surface
Processes and Landforms. DOI: 10.1002/esp.3641
Smith. B., Clifford N. J. and Mant, J. Analysis of UK River Restoration Using Broad-Scale Datasets.
Water and Environment Journal 28: 490-501.
Smith. B., Clifford N. J. and Mant, J. The changing nature of river restoration. WIRES Water 1:
249-61.
2015 (accepted and/or in press)
Gallagher, C., Clifford, N.J., and Balm, M. The morphological evolution of large Irish rivers:
A review and new insights into the roles of paratectonic and paraglacial inheritance. Earth
Surface Processes and Landforms.
Mulligan, M. and Clifford, N. J. Mapping and managing ecosystem services for sustainable
development. In: Redclift, M.and Springett, D. (eds.), Routledge International Handbook of
Sustainable Development.