Assessment of habitat parameters
In all survey units the habitat parameters
are assessed. These are: Bank structure, sediment type, flow
class, Secchi depth transparency (Transparency Ratio is optional),
connectivity type, and land use type (CORINE-System) in the
areas adjacent to the river or any other water body type.
Each subdivision of these parameters is characterised by a
specific number code.
If you want to declare more than
one parameter you must separate the values with a "\"
sign. For Example:
- Bank structure is rocks with sand between
you indicate as: 1\4
- Bank structure sand with sometimes a
rock would be: 4\1
- Bank structure:
refers to the upper littoral, extending over the water level
during mean discharges.
- rocks, large blocks or stones,
bank protection, rip-rap, Mega-, Macro-, Mesolithal (>
6,3 cm)
- gravel (Microlithal & Akal, 0,2
6,3 cm)
- sand (Psammal, 0,063 0,2 cm)
- fine substrate, Pelal (< 0,063
cm, predominantly inorganic)
- fine, gentle/flat slope/gradient
- fine, vertical/steep slope/gradient
- concrete or other artificial/non-indigenous
embankment material
- floating mats (Plaur) or other
organic material
- Sediment type:
this part of the substrate in the littoral of the river
or other type of water body where the aquatic vegetation
is growing.
- solid rock, rip-rap or Mega-, Macro-
& Mesolithal (> 6,3 cm)
- gravel, Microlithal & Akal (0,2
6,3 cm)
- sand, Psammal (0,063 0,2 cm)
- fine predominantly inorganic substrate,
Pelal, < 0,063 cm)
- artificial, concrete, asphalt,
non-indigenous rip-rap
- detritus or other organic material
- Connectivity type:
this parameter is essential for categorise the hydrological
dynamics in the aquatic plant habitats.
- small side/secondary channel
- oxbow, inflow from lower
end
- oxbow, Inflow from upper end
- oxbow, semi-separated,
no permanent vegetation in connection area, which is flooded
at minimum < 2years
- oxbow, separated, except during
floods, permanent vegetation in connection area
- water body outside dam,
running water
- water body outside the
flood protection dam, running water
- water body outside dam,
still water
- floodplain lake, without
surface water connection
- floodplain lake without
surface water connection except during floods
- floodplain lake with
permanent surface water connection
- reservoir
- Large secondary channel
- Main channel of Danube or tributary
- Landuse type:
number codes of the typology follow the CORINE system of
land use types and must not be changed. For
more detailed information some have been slightly modified.
- artificial surfaces
- urban fabric, (urban
centres, discontinuous built-up areas)
- village
- industrial, commercial,
transport units (road and rail networks and associated
land, port areas, shipyards)
- mine, dump, construction sites
(mineral extraction sites, gravel-, sand-, clay-pits,
dump sites, areas under construction or development)
- artificial, non agricultural, park,
cemeteries, sport facilities (e.g. golf grounds, open-air
theatres, etc.)
- arable land (incl. fallow
lands up to 3 years abandoned, greenhouses)
- permanent crops (vineyards, orchards,
berry fruit plantations, hop plantations, oil-bearing
rose plantations, willow plantations)
- pastures
- herterogeneous agricultural areas
- forest
- broad leaved forest,
including poplar and other woody species plantations in
riparian areas
- coniferous forest
- mixed forest
- scrub
- open space, little/no vegetation
(beaches, dunes, sands, river banks, bare rock)
- inland wetlands
- inland marshes
- canals (artificial)
- Flow class:
the current velocity of the water next to, or just above,
the plant stands. Experience shows that the ability to accurately
estimate the flow in four classes is quickly gained. Estimates
can be proved by surface flow assessment, using paper clips,
leaves of wood pieces and measuring the time used for passing
through a defined distance.
- no flow, stagnant
- constant change between
no flow and cataract (Slovenia, river with natural travertine
barrages)
- low flow velocity, from
just visible (>0 - <30 cm.s-1)
- medium flow velocity (35-65 cm.s-1)
- high flow velocity (>70cm.s-1)
- Secchi depth transparency:
use white plastic or metal disk, 30 cm in diameter, best
attached to a graded pole (on strings it is a problem in
running water). Readings in 5 cm intervals are of
adequate accuracy with regard to the movement of the waves
and boat.
|