4. Uses and Applications Marc Naura & Mark Diamond RHS Lead Region

5. River Habitat Survey   

7. Aims n A standard field methodology objective statistically robust widely applicable practicable: target time, 1 hour

8. Objective A B ‘No perceptible flow’ in deeper pool Bar bar exposed under low flows Unbroken standing waves observed as shallow flow over riffle A B

9. Statistically robust n Between surveyor variability reduced –simple choices –tests on different river types n Survey structure –use of transects –survey length –spacing of transects –sweep-up

10. Widely applicable

11. RHS form: Two main sections SPOT-CHECKSSWEEP-UP

14. Features recorded n EROSION –eroding/stable cliffs n DEPOSITION –side/point/mid channel bars n VEGETATION STRUCTURE –channel & banks n FLOW –10 Flow types

15. Other features n BANK PROFILES –natural: undercut...gentle –modified: resectioned..embanked n TREES –extent & associated features n CHANNEL FEATURES –waterfall,riffles/pools etc. –boulders, exposed sediment n LAND USE (50m) –13 land use categories

16. Management features n MANAGEMENT –resectioning/reinforcement –poaching (trampling) n ROADS & BRIDGES n FLOW REGULATION –weir/sluices/culverts

17. Baseline survey network England and Wales 4569 sites Scotland 779 sites Northern Ireland 266 sites From 1994 to 1996

19. Habitat modification score (HMS) categories 0 Pristine 0 - 2 Semi-natural 3 - 8 Predominantly unmodified 9 - 20 Obviously modified 21 - 44 Significantly modified 45 or more Severely modified Footnote: semi-natural includes pristine channels

23. Example:assessment of Lowland low energy site with an HQA=65 Distribution of HQA for nearest neighbour sites on PCA map

24. Application Scales

25. Flood Defence Obectives Fisheries Obectives Flood Defence issue Channel capacity Fisheries issue No fish Catchment Issue Accelerated Erosion Local Authorities Agenda Local authorities Issues Anglers Agenda Anglers Issues

26. Aims n Prioritise management n Integrate function management for Catchment Issues –Define strategy tailored to catchment and management needs –Treat problem at source –Identify catchment issues

27. Prioritise management

28. Habitat Quality & Modification in England & Wales Uses: Global overview, Leaps, Other local applications HQAHMI

29. LEAP QUALITY ASSESSMENT

30. Identify catchment issues

31. Catchment scale application The Sankey Now Project n=125

32. Management impact n = 125 n = 4569

33. Determining a Sub-set of Similar Reference Sites Low altitude/Low slopeHigh altitude/High slope High energy Low energy

34. n = 125 n = 277n = 4569

35. Gen. Info: Landuse in the Sankey Catchment l Wooded l Agricultural l Semi-rural l Urban

36. Define strategy tailored to catchment and management needs

37. Fisheries interest in riffle rehabilitation first choice: River Weaver

39. Criteria Used to Assess Rehabilitation Potential

40. Sites with Rehabilitation Potential l RHS Sites l Potential general rehabilitation sPotential rehabilitation for fisheries

41. Black Brook Site Prior to Rehabilitation

42. Work in Progress at the Black Brook Site

44. Test catchment issues

45. Silt deposition on the Nadder Catchment n Erosion Indicators n Depositional Features n Fine Sediment Source Index

46. Erosion Indicators

47. Depositional Features

48. Fine Sediment Sources

49. Conclusion n Catchment in a stabilising state n Potential for erosion n Fine sediments from land use run-off

50. Fisheries Habitats n Habitat suitability model for –Salmon and Trout Fry –Trout Parr –Salmon Parr –Salmonid spawning habitat

51. # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S Fig. 27: Suitable Salmonid Habitats Nadder Catchment River Network # S Suitable Salmonid Habitats Suitable Salmonid Habitats

52. # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S Fig. 27: Suitable Salmonid Habitats Nadder Catchment River Network # S Suitable Salmonid Habitats # # # # # # # # ## # # # # # # # # # # # # ## # # # # Location of Weirs (RHS and Inter-reach sites) on the Nadder Catchment r Barriers to Migration # # Major weirs Intermediate weirs

53. Potential Management Issues n Land-use and riparian vegetation n River connectivity

54. Treat problem at source

55. RHS Contribution to the Mersey Flood Alleviation Scheme 100% Resectioned & bermed, straightened, widened, predominant glide, silty substrate

56. Removing Fine Sediments From Banks and Berms

57. Erosion

58. Predicting species distribution

59. Distribution of R. Nidd Coarse Fish Communities

60. Substrate Distribution on the Nidd

62. Predicted Community Types in Yorkshire Rivers

63. Developments n RHS database 3.2 n Water Framework Directive n RHS in Europe n Educational CDROM n Corporate plan: –setting habitat targets for 2002/2003

66. River Habitat Survey Lead Region

67. Service Level Agreement n Input of data…free of charge! n Queries n Methodological advice n Database management and training n Development of applications n Quality Assurance

68. Quality control Our role –4 levels n Visual check at receipt of form n Logical checks on all sites and surveyors n Random checks on forms + photos n Specific checks (site visit, hydrographs) –Check on all trainers –New surveyors: n thorough check of first 10 sites

69. Future n 2004-2006 National survey (4500 sites) n Catchment survey for Habitat Quality Targets n Catchment survey for Leaps n RHS on the Internet