Habitat Surveying
A list of resources for participants of the SFCC Walkover Habitat Survey course in July 2015
SFCC members have developed habitat survey protocols and unlike other fish and habitat survey methods, those used by the SFCC were developed specifically for fisheries management applications. By using common methods, fish and habitat data can be compared both locally and nationally across Scotland. Regular workshops are organised to allow members to review the methods that have been developed in the light of recent research.
SFCC Walkover Habitat Training Course 2015
Example Habitat Risk Assessment
SFCC Walkover Record Sheet Parts A-F
SFCC Walkover Record Sheet Part G
River Dee Trust GIS Walkover Method
The River Dee Trust have recently developed a handheld digital walkover habitat recording application, which has been utilised to map river habitat across the catchment.
The application uses Map Maker Pro and a Windows tablet using a key similar to this one. For an example screen shot showing the GIS application of this technique see here.
River Habitat Survey (RHS)
Originally published in 2003, the River Habitat Survey technique is a widely adopted method. The manuals can be downloaded here on the RHS website. This website also features a blog which is updated with useful materials such as this piece on Site Selection Strategies and Tools for River Surveys.
Hendry & Cragg-Hine Method
The survey methodology is outlined in the Environment Agency manual Restoration of Riverine Salmon Habitats – A Guidance Manual (Hendry and Cragg-Hine,1997), available to download here.
SNIFFER
Development of GIS procedure to implement a UK geomorphic channel typology
A new impact assessment tool to support river engineering regulatory decisions
Westcountry Rivers Trust
Fisheries Walkover Survey Manual: Published in 2010, Westcountry Rivers Trust have developed an excellent GIS-based rapid walkover survey tool, based in part on the Hendry & Cragg-Hine approach. This technique has been utilised by the River's Trust Catchment Based Approach (CaBA) as described here.
Montgomery & Buffington (1997)
The Montgomery and Buffington (1997) channel classification system is intended for mountain channels. Two tiers of classification are utilized at the valley segment (landscape scale) and channel reach scales. Both classifications segregate categories along a continuum of sediment transport from transport limited (sediment supply exceeds river's ability to transport it) to supply limited (the river's energy to move sediment far exceeds the delivery of sediment to the channel).
Montgomery & Buffington (1997) Channel-reach morphology in mountain drainage basins
Channel processes, classification and response
Centre for River Ecosystem Science (CRES)
CRES keep up to date an informative page detailing the practical application of surveys to a range of projects and research outcomes, here.
SFCC member examples of best practice
