IRiS A New River Survey Methodology. Kieran Sheehan JBA Consulting Seb Bentley Aecom Kim Jennings JBA Consulting

Transcription

1 IRiS A New River Survey Methodology Kieran Sheehan JBA Consulting Seb Bentley Aecom Kim Jennings JBA Consulting

2 Integrated Riparian Survey Existing Survey Methodologies Suitability for Rapid Field Assessment Whole Reach Scale Lateral and Longitudinal Focus Eco-hydrogeomorphological Safety-conscious

3 Existing Survey Methodologies Fluvial Audit River Habitat Survey River Corridor Survey Phase 1 Habitat Survey Other survey methodologies are used but these are the main ones. Examples include: GeoRHS, River Reconnaissance Survey, Catchment Baseline Survey.

4 Fluvial Audit Detailed mapping exercise, recording all inchannel, banks features and biotopes No standardised methodology but general understanding of what audit should contain Restricted to channel and immediate vicinity Semi-process based (uses RHS data) Reasonably rapid (6km per day) Moir (2013) RRC (2006) p.30. Sear et. al. (2009)

5 River Habitat Survey Based on 500m (reference) bank lengths Database tool to determine naturalness Uses benchmark sites RHS standard form is easy to fill in Does not require specialist geomorphological or botanical expertise Time-consuming (5-6 bank lengths per day) Clews, et. al. (2010) EA (2003) Raven et. al. (1998) R Harrison pers. comm.

6 River Corridor Survey Divides river into 500m sections Records all four zones (at least 50m from channel) One cross section per survey section Does record individual species and management May suggest habitat improvements Detailed map-based output and report Time-consuming (4-5 sections per day) NRA (1992)

7 Phase 1 Habitat Survey Focussed on habitats Products: habitat map, survey report, target notes, area measurements Not species specific (except target notes) Rapid field data acquisition (c. 5km² per day) NCC (1990)

8 Existing Survey Methodologies Suitability for Rapid Field Assessment? Fluvial Audit River Habitat Survey River Corridor Survey Phase 1 Habitat Survey IRiS: average 6km per day

9 Integrated Riparian Survey Key Principles Operates at a whole-reach scale Rapid and accurate Partnership working Links ecology and geomorphology Discussive in nature The whole is greater than the sum of its parts

10 Integrated Riparian Survey Incorporates: A modified Fluvial Audit Phase 1 Habitat Survey Elements of RHS and RCS And Includes: Map Regression Desktop Research (grey literature, websites, records centres, aerial photographs)

11 Outputs Integrated Riparian Survey Accurate maps of land use and floodplain habitats Geomorphic features associated with species lists (TNs) Better constraints/biotope mapping Increased understanding of natural and anthropogenic processes Conceptual model of system function

12 IRiS Mapping River Teme

13 Lateral and Longitudinal Benefits o Entire river/survey length mapped o Key geomorphological features/opportunities identified o Ecological features co-mapped with geomorph o Habitats mapped across the entire floodplain, including palaeo-channels, ponds. o Bankside and in-stream vegetation stands target noted and mapped o Land use systems better understood.

14 IRiS Mapping River Mease

15 Eco-hydrogeomorphology IRiS integrates these disciplines Making the link between biotopes and species present Ecology can aid in refining channel change timescales (succession) Likely evolution post works based on propagules present Dynamic condition of bar features better understood Moir (2013)

16 Dynamic Condition

17 Safety Conscious Avoids lone working (near water) EA and others do not permit this now Ability to administer first aid Survey team member can raise alarm Team work with two-way radio, mobile phones, satellite phone in remote areas Saves money: second person is employed, not merely chaperoning the surveyor.

18 Summary Combines Fluvial Audit with Phase 1 Habitat Survey Covers entire floodplain (lateral) Covers entire reach (longitudinal) Permits rapid eco-geomorphological assessment Contain species data Safety conscious

19 Contacts Kieran Sheehan, JBA Consulting, Epsom House, Chase Park, Doncaster DN6 7FE Seb Bentley, Aecom, Victoria Square House, Victoria Square, Birmingham B2 4AJ Kim Jennings, JBA Consulting, Epsom House, Chase Park, Doncaster DN6 7FE

20 References Clews, E., Vaughan, I. P. And Ormerod, S. J. (2010) Evaluating the effects of riparian restoration on a temperate river-system using standardized habitat survey in Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. 20: pp. S96 S104. EA (Environment Agency) (2003) River Habitat Survey in Britain and Ireland Field Survey Guidance Manual: 2003 Version. Warrington: Environment Agency. Moir, H. (2013). River Dee restoration, cbec UK Ltd, October 2013 Appendix A fluvial audit method statement. [online] Available at: [Accessed 5th March 2017] NCC (Nature Conservancy Council) (1990) Handbook for Phase 1 habitat survey a technique for environmental audit. Peterborough: JNCC. NRA (National Rivers Authority) (1992) River Corridor Surveys. Bristol: NRA. RRC (River Restoration Centre) (2006) Outputs from a Monitoring Seminar 12 th 13 th December 2006 The Forest Lodge Hotel, Lyndhurst, New Forest. [online] Available at: [Accessed 5th March 2017] Raven, P. J., Holmes, N. T. H., Dawson, F. H., Fox, P. J. A., Everard, N., Fozzard, I. R. And Rouen, K. J. (1998) River Habitat Quality the physical character of rivers and streams in the UK and Isle of Man. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 5 th March 2017] Sear, D., Newson, M., Hill, C., Old, J. And Branson, J. (2009) A method for applying fluvial geomorphology in support of catchment-scale river restoration planning in Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems. 19: pp