Uses and Applications

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

4. River Habitat Survey   

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

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

8. Survey structure • use of transects • survey length • spacing of transects • sweep-up Statisticallyrobust • Between surveyor variability reduced • simple choices • tests on different river types

9. Widely applicable

10. RHS form: Two main sections SPOT-CHECKS SWEEP-UP

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

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

15. Management features • MANAGEMENT • resectioning/reinforcement • poaching (trampling) • ROADS & BRIDGES • FLOW REGULATION • weir/sluices/culverts

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

18. 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

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

23. Application Scales

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

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

26. Prioritise management

27. Habitat Quality & Modification in England & Wales Uses: Global overview, Leaps, Other local applications HQA HMI

28. LEAP QUALITY ASSESSMENT

29. Identify catchment issues

30. Catchment scale applicationThe Sankey Now Project n=125

31. Management impact n = 125 n = 4569

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

33. n = 125 n = 277 n = 4569

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

35. Define strategy tailored to catchment and management needs

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

38. Criteria Used to Assess Rehabilitation Potential

39. RHS Sites Potential general rehabilitation Potential rehabilitation for fisheries Sites with Rehabilitation Potential

40. Black BrookSite Prior toRehabilitation

41. Work in Progress at the Black Brook Site

43. Test catchment issues

44. Silt deposition on the Nadder Catchment • Erosion Indicators • Depositional Features • Fine Sediment Source Index

45. Erosion Indicators

46. Depositional Features

47. Fine Sediment Sources

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

49. Fisheries Habitats • Habitat suitability model for • Salmon and Trout Fry • Trout Parr • Salmon Parr • Salmonid spawning habitat

50. F i g . 2 7 : S u i t a b l e S a l m o n i d H a b i t a t s Suitable Salmonid Habitats # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S # S S u i t a b l e S a l m o n i d H a b i t a t s # S R i v e r N e t w o r k N a d d e r C a t c h m e n t