Shahid Beheshti University Researches in Earth Sciences 2008-8299 16 Special Issue 2025 12 01 Morphometric and spatial analysis of incised river channels in the southern Caspian Sea coastal plain (Mazandaran, Iran) Morphometric and spatial analysis of incised river channels in the southern Caspian Sea coastal plain (Mazandaran, Iran) 62 72 106287 10.48308/esrj.2025.239618.1272 FA Reza Esmaili Department of Geography, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Mazandaran, Babolsar, Iran Journal Article 2025 04 23 River incision, which refers to the vertical lowering of the riverbed, plays a significant role in adjusting river channels. This process is driven by a range of factors, including tectonic activity, climatic variations, sea level changes, hydrological dynamics, and anthropogenic influences. This study investigates the spatial pattern and morphometric characteristics of incised river channels on the southern Caspian Sea coastal plain, focusing on Mazandaran Province, Iran. Using ALOS PALSAR digital elevation model (DEM), Google Earth imagery, field survey, and GIS-based morphometric analysis, 160 cross-sections across 17 rivers were assessed. The analysis applied non-parametric statistical tests and spatial autocorrelation methods to examine incision depth patterns and their relationships with geomorphic units, tectonic structures, and sea-level changes. Results reveal a mean incision depth of 4.7 meters, with significantly deeper incisions in alluvial fans than to coastal plains. Incision depth decreases downstream, showing a strong inverse correlation with elevation. Also, no significant differences were observed in the average incision depth among the different rivers. Except for the Caspian Fault, proximity to faults had no significant impact on incision depth. Moran's <em>I</em> statistics indicate that the incised river channels exhibit a strong clustering pattern. The findings highlight the dominant role of Caspian Sea base-level fluctuations during the late Holocene in shaping incision patterns, while tectonic factors appear more influential near mountain fronts. These insights are critical for geomorphological understanding, river management, flood mitigation, restoration efforts, and regional planning in this dynamic region. River incision, which refers to the vertical lowering of the riverbed, plays a significant role in adjusting river channels. This process is driven by a range of factors, including tectonic activity, climatic variations, sea level changes, hydrological dynamics, and anthropogenic influences. This study investigates the spatial pattern and morphometric characteristics of incised river channels on the southern Caspian Sea coastal plain, focusing on Mazandaran Province, Iran. Using ALOS PALSAR digital elevation model (DEM), Google Earth imagery, field survey, and GIS-based morphometric analysis, 160 cross-sections across 17 rivers were assessed. The analysis applied non-parametric statistical tests and spatial autocorrelation methods to examine incision depth patterns and their relationships with geomorphic units, tectonic structures, and sea-level changes. Results reveal a mean incision depth of 4.7 meters, with significantly deeper incisions in alluvial fans than to coastal plains. Incision depth decreases downstream, showing a strong inverse correlation with elevation. Also, no significant differences were observed in the average incision depth among the different rivers. Except for the Caspian Fault, proximity to faults had no significant impact on incision depth. Moran's <em>I</em> statistics indicate that the incised river channels exhibit a strong clustering pattern. The findings highlight the dominant role of Caspian Sea base-level fluctuations during the late Holocene in shaping incision patterns, while tectonic factors appear more influential near mountain fronts. These insights are critical for geomorphological understanding, river management, flood mitigation, restoration efforts, and regional planning in this dynamic region. https://esrj.sbu.ac.ir/article_106287_c8e3f7fabe60d9a2fae19ce6bd474dd9.pdf