Final answer:
Isostatic rebound is the geological process where land previously weighed down by ice sheets rises after the ice melts, potentially altering river gradients and influencing sedimentation patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
Isostatic rebound refers to the rise of land that was once weighed down by ice sheets or glaciers. After the weight of the ice melts during periods of climate warming, the land begins to rise or 'rebound' back to its original level. This geological process is an aspect of glacial isostatic adjustment, which affects land elevation as well as the slope of rivers and streams. Rivers and streams can change their gradient and course as the underlying land elevates, altering flow dynamics.
Moreover, as the land rises, sedimentation patterns can change, and previously depositing areas may become areas of erosion, or vice versa. Overall, isostatic rebound can have wide-ranging effects on the physical characteristics of rivers and the surrounding landscape.