SECTION H: BANKTOP LAND USE AND VEGETATION STRUCTURE


To be assessed over a 10m length of each bank (see figure below). Separate records are made for the structure of the vegetation on the face of the bank, and the vegetation structure in the 1m zone beyond the banktop. Even in intensively farmed arable land, the 1m banktop vegetation structure may contrast with the land-use within the full width of the 5m banktop zone (recorded separately, and described above). When recording bankface vegetation structure, ignore vegetation on bars at the base of banks.


The category recorded is determined by the complexity of structure produced by different vegetation types. If the vegetation structure cannot be assessed (i.e. when surveying from the bottom of a gorge), record ‘NV’ for not visible. On wide rivers, binoculars can assist with defining vegetation structure on the far bank.


Since this exercise is a rapid overview, only the predominant structure is to be assessed. Use your initial assessment - time must not be wasted searching for relatively inconspicuous types of vegetation.


Boxes are emboldened, so only a single entry per box is permissible.


Bryophytes - Mosses and liverworts.

Example of bryophytes

Short/creeping herbs or grasses        - Below knee height (includes ivy).

Examples of short/creeping herbs or grasses


Tall herbs or grasses - Knee height, and taller; includes bracken and other ferns.

 

Examples of tall herbs or grasses


Scrub or shrubs - Brambles, woody (and multi-stemmed) shrubs, thickets.

Uniform and complex vegetation cover.  Note shrubs in view far right of photograph.


Saplings and trees - Mature trees and single-stemmed young trees (cf. bushy nature of shrubs)

Example of saplings and trees


Bare (B)

Predominantly bare earth or unvegetated artificial bank material (e.g. concrete, sheet piling, gabion). Vegetation cover <50% over the 10m bank-length.

Example of bare earth 


Uniform (U)

Predominantly one vegetation type (e.g. grass, nettles, heather), but lacking scrub or trees.

Example of uniform vegetation structure

Simple (S)

Predominantly 2-3 vegetation types, often with scrub, and may include trees. Trees with sparse herb understorey (e.g. coniferous forest extending to the riverbank) to be included in this category.

Example of simple vegetation structure

Complex (C)

Four or more vegetation types, and scrub and/or trees must be present.


Example of complex vegetation structures

Not visible (NV)

To be used only where the bank is genuinely obscured.