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State of the RiversSearch fields
Description and method logicMethod purposeThe State of the Rivers Survey was developed in Queensland, in response to a need for detailed information on the physical and environmental condition of streams and rivers. This information would then be available for use in the Integrated Catchment Management process.
The State of the Rivers Survey provides a 'snapshot' of the physical and environmental condition of streams and is not designed to establish the trend or rate of change of stream condition. SummaryThe State of the Rivers methodology provides a comprehensive method for assessing the current ecological and physical condition of rivers and streams. It uses a snapshot survey technique based on the notion of homogenous streams sections. The streams and rivers are successively divided into smaller and smaller sections until homogeneity is reached in terms of scale, natural features and condition. Finalising the boundaries and number of homogenous sections is an iterative process.
There are nine criteria headings based on 11 datasheets (some datasheets only contain positioning information). Method logicThe field survey collects in-steam data on a number of components using rapid survey methods. Each component is assessed independently and given an objective condition rating. These ratings are combined to give an overall condition rating. A relative, rather than an absolute standard has been used to fix the benchmark condition used to derive the ratings. The condition rating assesses the extent to which the condition of the survey component has deteriorated from the local benchmark. Different standards may be used in different catchments.
The parameters recorded for each component are stored in linked databases. This allows data analysis and processing for follow-up work and investigations. The State of the Rivers Survey was designed to 'estimate the ecological condition of rivers in terms of the condition of the instream habitat, rather than by conducting flora or faunal surveys'. The Survey primarily makes a detailed assessment of components that describe the physical condition of streams, such as channel habitat, bed condition, bank condition, cross-sectional dimension and riparian vegetation as habitat attributes of general importance to the biota are encompassed by these components are recognised. Many of the variables measured in the State of the Rivers Survey correspond with those measured in AusRivAS, River Habitat Survey (RHS) and Habitat Predictive Modelling. Empirical links between biota and habitat that are encompassed within other methods, may be represented by the variables collected in the State of the Rivers Survey. Criteria groupings of the methodThe method assesses ecological condition in terms of in-stream habitat rather than by conducting flora or fauna surveys and takes a 'snapshot' of the current condition of homogenous stream sections. Indicators are grouped into 9 Criteria (hydrology, bank condition, bed and bar condition, channel habitats, cross section, reach environs, vegetation, aquatic habitat and scenic, recreational and conservation values)
Data requiredEleven datasheets are used during the survey for each site covering subsection data (hydrology, bank condition, bed and bar condition, channel habitats, cross section, reach environs, vegetation, aquatic habitat and scenic, recreational and conservation values).
Resources requiredExpertise requiredThis methodology requires survey teams trained in using the method in field, assessment and database management.
Materials required1:25,000 and 1:100,000 maps, four-wheel drive, boat, survey equipment, GPS, camera, datasheets, vegetation keys, photo archive, database and GIS. Some desk based data collection also required.
Method outputsOutputs
Uses
Criteria by category
Physical and chemicalSocio-culturalFloraReviewRecommended userGovernment officers, catchment group members, NRM officers.
Strengths
Limitations
Case studiesAnderson, JR (1993), State of the Rivers Maroochy River and Tributary Streams. [online], Department of Primary Industries, Brisbane.. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/resources/static/pdf/assessment-toolbox/maroochy_1993_com.pdf.
VAN MANEN, N (2004), State of the rivers: Baffle Creek and major tributaries : an ecological and physical assessment of the condition of streams in the Baffle Creek catchment., Dept. of Natural Resources and Mines., Indooroopilly, Qld.
VAN MANEN, N (2002), Albert sub-basin water resource plan: state of the rivers report to TAP., Department of Resources and Mines, Brisbane, Qld..
JOHNSON, DP (2005), State of the rivers: Bowen, Broken and Bogie Rivers and major tributaries : an ecological and physical assessment of the condition of streams in the Bowen, Broken and Bogie Rivers catchments : report., Dept. of Natural Resources and Mines, Natural Resource Sciences., Indooroopilly, Qld..
MOLLER, G (2001), State of the rivers Cooper Creek and major tributaries., Dept. of Natural Resources and Mines., Brisbane, Qld.
VAN MANEN, N (2005), State of the rivers: Fitzroy and Isaac Rivers and the Capricorn coastal tributaries : an ecological and physical assessment of the condition of streams in the Fitzroy River, Isaac River and Capricorn coastal catchments., Dept. of Natural Resources and Mines, Natural Resource Sciences., Indooroopilly, Qld.
VAN MANEN, N (2001), State of the rivers: Maronoa, Balonne and Lower Condamine rivers and major tributaries : an ecological and physical assessment of the condition of streams in the Maronoa, Balonne and Lower Condamine River catchments., Dept. of Natural Resources and Mines, Natural Resource Sciences., Indooroopilly, Qld..
EBERHARD, R & VAN MANEN, N (1998), Pumicestone region subcatchments: an ecological and physical assessment of the condition of streams in the Pumicestone Region., Dept. of Natural Resources and Mines., Brisbane, Queensland..
Links
References
Last updated: 7 February 2019 This page should be cited as: Department of Environment, Science and Innovation, Queensland (2019) State of the Rivers, WetlandInfo website, accessed 30 August 2024. Available at: https://wetlandinfo.des.qld.gov.au/wetlands/resources/tools/assessment-search-tool/state-of-the-rivers/ |