Wetland Management Tools & Techniques
Rapid Appraisal of Riparian Condition
Source: http://www.rivers.gov.au/publicat/guidemanual.htm
Authors: Amy Jansen, Alistar Robertson, Leigh Thompson and Andrea Wilson
In: RIVER AND RIPARIAN LAND MANAGEMENT TECHNICAL GUIDELINE NUMBER 4A, OCTOBER 2005
Australian Government – Land and Water
http://www.rivers.gov.au/publicat/guidemanual.htm
The Rapid Appraisal of Riparian Condition guideline is an easy to use tool for assessing riparian zones. The ability to distinguish between native and weed species is required to effectively use the guide.
This assessment technique could be used along a stretch of river to compare riparian health at various stages along the river or as a before and after assessment over time.
The riparian assessment is based on five sub-indices, each with a number of indicators:
- Habitat continuity and extent (HABITAT),
- Vegetation cover and structural complexity (COVER),
- Dominance of natives versus exotics (NATIVES),
- Standing dead trees, hollows, fallen logs and leaf litter (DEBRIS), and
- Indicative features (FEATURES).
The guidelines provides clear tables for converting indicators to numeric scores and a two page field sheet for recording scores.
The Rapid Appraisal of Riparian Condition has been tested in three areas in south-eastern Australia: on the Murrumbidgee River, in Gippsland, and in the Goulburn-Broken catchment. In all three areas, there was a strong negative relationship between grazing intensity and riparian condition.
