Visual model of present day landform elaborating vegetation with settlement
A visual model has been created to help explain the role of the modern environment in urban to sub-urban reaches of a meandering river like the Gomati in India (Figure 8). The model clearly shows that the northern sub-urban area has clearly defined vegetation along the river flood plain and agriculture extends far from the main channel. As a result, the palynofacies associations primarily represent high levels of degraded brown OM and low levels of opaque phytoclasts of woody remains that were once part of higher plants. Low tree vegetation and higher seasonal plants surround the flood plain when travelling from the urban fringe to the sub-urban part. The majority of the flood plain has been taken over by agricultural activities. Near the flood plain, there is a concentration of people living in urban peripheral areas and agricultural land is also abundant. This section demonstrates high opaque phytoclasts with charcoal burnt remnants as proof of increased human activity and agro-pastoral activity close to the river. In the urban area, where the river channel is also occupied by human dwellings, the high encroachment is readily visible. The prevalence of opaque phytoclasts (burnt charcoal) and fungi makes it clear that human activities like burning human remains and trash disposal operations played a significant role in the meandering channel as a whole.