17 TH RRC ANNUAL NETWORK CONFERENCE. Planning, delivery and evaluation of our rivers: challenges and choices. Tweet us #RRCBlackpool

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17 TH RRC ANNUAL NETWORK CONFERENCE Tweet

of the conference who support discounted

1 17 TH RRC ANNUAL NETWORK CONFERENCE Tweet us #RRCBlackpool Planning, delivery and evaluation of our rivers: challenges and choices We would like to thank the sponsors of the conference who support discounted places

2 Citizen Scientist Monitoring with MoRPh: Modular River Physical on the Chilterns Chalk Streams Developing a physical habitat survey & assessment tool for volunteers Dr Lucy Shuker Geomorphology E&B Advisor / Area Technical Specialist Workshop 5 RRC Conference, Blackpool 27 th April 2016

3 Introductions MoRPh team EA Hertfordshire & North London (HNL) Area Local character: Chalk / clay Rural / urban Chalk streams UK BAP habitat International status Physical characteristics Specialised ecology

4 Priorities for WFD EA competent authority... for application of the rules of the directive => implementation of a programme of actions aiming at sustainable management and protection of freshwater resources. (2000/60/EC) Chalk streams & WFD objectives Pressures: Flow & physical modifications Actions: Progress to good. Restoring Sustainable Abstraction (RSA) WFD Habitats Directive Natura 2000

Maintain sufficient flows Remove previous alterations Enable

5 Principles of EA approach Primary mechanism: Abstraction reduction Complementary measures: Morphology Fundamentals: Maintain sufficient flows Remove previous alterations Enable natural river functioning Define success criteria Adaptive management

Chilterns & Herts Chalk streams Chalk stream (RSA) programme WFD actions & objectives Cost effectiveness / benefits Action prioritisation Catchment partnerships Catchment

6 Chilterns & Herts Chalk streams Chalk stream (RSA) programme WFD actions & objectives Cost effectiveness / benefits Action prioritisation Catchment partnerships Catchment Partners roles Evidence of success? WFD monitoring Biological / Flow / WQ Hydromorphological (RHS) Monitoring outcomes to ensure ecological / morphological improvement is achieved

Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) & Citizen

uncertainties Local stakeholders Talented,

Engagement & evidence RSPB; OPAL; CEH / SEPA;

7 Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) & Citizen Science CaBA context Challenges & uncertainties Local stakeholders Talented, capable and interested Citizen science Engagement & evidence RSPB; OPAL; CEH / SEPA; BES; FWR; CaBA; RRC; Rivers Trust; Thames21, Riverfly Partnership... Recognition & research Wider benefits MoRPh: 1 st Modular River Physical NOT just for Chalk Streams...

The Modular River Physical survey aka MoRPh Recognised need for physical habitat survey for volunteers (Huddart et al, 2016) Standard methods UK: Fluvial Audit; Walkovers; RHS (WFD) EU: REFORM

8 The Modular River Physical survey aka MoRPh Recognised need for physical habitat survey for volunteers (Huddart et al, 2016) Standard methods UK: Fluvial Audit; Walkovers; RHS (WFD) EU: REFORM hierarchical classification (WFD) London: URS training & webtool for practitioners ModularRiverSurvey MoRPh = one modular unit for physical habitat monitoring Simple standard method, key indicators, online analysis, visual results & map display Training for trainers e.g. via riverfly hubs MoRPh community of volunteer surveyors

9 The MoRPh Survey Manual (version 1, April 2016) HOW TO CONDUCT A MoRPh SURVEY Angela Gurnell, Lucy Shuker, Geraldene Wharton

10 10

11 Conducting a MoRPh Survey: Codes & Survey Sheets Survey sheets: 1. General information 2. Bank tops (L/R within 10 m) 3. Bank faces (L/R) 4. River channel bed Capture physical (hydro-morph) & vegetation features as: Type: using Codes Dominance: Dom/Sub-dom (<20%) Abundance: Present / Extensive (>33%) Size: (Maj./Int./Min.) + Notes sections & Photo upload facility Codes used during MoRPh surveys: Bank profile, Water surface flow types, Reinforcement, Land cover, Sediment size

12 Conducting a MoRPh Survey: Survey layout MoRPh river width (m) River length for each module survey (m) < 5 m 10 m 5 to < 10 m 20 m 10 to < 20 m 30 m 20 to < 30 m 40 m > 30 m River channel too wide for this type of survey

Check Clean Dry MoRPh Virtual Survey: Introduction MoRPh river width (m) River length for each module

13 Before you begin*: Identify your MoRPh module extent Take GPS + fixed pt. photo Locate your bank top/face boundary Have MoRPh codes sheet handy Commence recording *NB - H&S / Check Clean Dry MoRPh Virtual Survey: Introduction MoRPh river width (m) River length for each module survey (m) < 5 m 10 m 5 to < 10 m 20 m 10 to < 20 m 30 m 20 to < 30 m 40 m > 30 m River channel too wide for this type of survey Bank Top Bank Face

14 MoRPh Virtual Survey: Sheet 1 - General Information Surveyor & survey date + time Adverse conditions Module name / location River / reach / site name Channel dimensions Photographic references Notes 14

15 MoRPh Virtual Survey: Sheet 2 Bank top / Floodplain Artificial ground cover Water related features Exposed ground Terrestrial vegetation Nuisance plant species Notes Bank Top 15

16 MoRPh Virtual Survey: Sheet 3 Bank face / Channel margins Bank profile Natural materials / reinforcement Bank natural physical / artificial features Terrestrial / aquatic marginal vegetation Nuisance species Bank Face 16

17 MoRPh Virtual Survey: Sheet 4 Channel bed Channel bed natural material Bed reinforcement Water surface flow Natural physical / artificial bed features Vegetation in wetted channel Nuisance plant species Channel 17

18 MoRPh Data upload & analysis Log in & upload MoRPh data to ModRS web tool MoRPh indices will autocalculate Results revealed on Google base map 10x MoRPh => BONUS Multi-MoRPh indices Allowing further exploration of MoRPh data at the reach and catchment levels MoRPh Indices of physical habitat change: Channel: Bed material Channel: Phys. Hab. diversity Channel: Aq. veg. complexity Riparian veg. complexity Channel: Direct modification Indirect pressures Multi-MoRPh: Indices of geomorphological change

19 MoRPh Outputs & applications MoRPh: Changes in Physical Habitat In space: e.g. distribution of habitat quality Over time: e.g. long / short time frame responses Channel adjustments: to natural events / artificial modifications / interventions Before-After-Control-Impact (BACI) Multi-MoRPh: Geomorphological Change Hydro-MoRPH: Changes in context of wider catchment controls MoRPh Indices of physical habitat change: Channel: Bed material Channel: Phys. Hab. diversity Channel: Aq. veg. complexity Riparian veg. complexity Channel: Direct modification Indirect pressures Multi-MoRPh: Indices of geomorphological change

20 MoRPh Modular River Physical Thank you for listening Any questions? #MoRPh

21 17 TH RRC ANNUAL NETWORK CONFERENCE Tweet us #RRCBlackpool Planning, delivery and evaluation of our rivers: challenges and choices We would like to thank the sponsors of the conference who support discounted places

The Changing Nature of River Restoration. Ben Smith, King s College London Professor Nick Clifford, King s College London

The Changing Nature of River Restoration Ben Smith, King s College London Professor Nick Clifford, King s College London Background Restoration project on the River Brent. Wharton (28) Rapid rise in restoration