Environmental Sustainability

1. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY INDICATORS Department of Geography Kings College London

2. RESEARCH TEAM Principle Investigators: Dr Angela Davenport – Kings College London Prof. Angela Gurnell – Kings College London Collaborating Scientists: Prof. Geoff Petts – University of Birmingham Dr Patrick Armitage – CEH Dorset Field Support: May Lee – Kings College London

5. DRAINAGE BASIN SECTOR Unbranched tributary or network section between tributary junctions STRETCH 500m length of a single engineering type HABITAT Physical habitat feature (riffle, bar) PATCH Patch of vegetation or sediment A HIERARCHY OF SPATIAL SCALES AT WHICH URBAN RIVER DATA MAY BE COLLECTED Catchment Characteristics River corridor land use Water quality data River flow data Channel morphology Geomorphic features Reinforcement materials Flow types Vegetation Sediments Hydraulic data Biological data Sediments Hydraulic data Biological data

6. RESEARCH APPROACH PHASE 4 Scenario Modelling PHASE 1 Collection of information Transfer of data to database PHASE 2 Development of sustainable indicators. PHASE 3 Validation May/June 2004

8. SOME MATERIALS INDICES = (-8*BO -7*CO -3.5*GP -1.5*SA + 1.5*SI + 9*CL) (BO + CO + GP + SA + SI + CL) SEDCAL Bed Sediment Calibre Index = (0*NONE) + (1*BIO) + (2*OMP) + (3*SOL) x 3 (NONE+BIO+OPM+SOL) BANKPROT Level and durability of bank protection The proportion of the banks occupied by solid bank protection (range 1-10) Proportion Solid Bank Protection The proportion of the banks occupied by open matrix bank protection (range 1-10) Proportion Open Matrix Bank Protection The proportion of the banks occupied by biodegradable bank protection (range 1-10) Proportion Biodegradable Bank Protection Proportion of banks free of bank protection (range 1-10) Proportion No Bank Protection = 10 x No. spot-checks with immobile materials No. spot-checks Proportion Immobile Bank Materials = (-8*BO -7*CO -1.5*GS +1.5*EA + 9*CL) (BO + CO + GS + EA + CL) BANKCAL Bank Material Calibre Index = 10 x No. spot-checks with immobile materials No. spot-checks Proportion Immobile Substrate Index Description Index Name

9. SOME PHYSICAL HABITAT INDICES A count of in-channel habitats types, including both physical habitat features and flow type habitats. Number of Habitat Types The proportion of the banks (range 1-10) occupied by artificial bank profiles. Proportion Artificial Bank Profiles The number of different types of artificial bank profile. Number Artificial Bank Profiles The proportion of the banks occupied by natural bank profiles (proportion in the range 1-10). Proportion Natural Bank Profiles The number of different types of natural bank profile ascertained from cumulative measurements. Number Natural Bank Profiles the flow type which is recorded the most times in the spot checks scored according to the level of hydraulic disturbance indicated (range 1-10). Dominant Flow Type the number of different flow types recorded Number of Flow Types Index name and description Index Name

10. SOME VEGETATION INDICES Accumulated measures of water odours, sediment odours, oils, surface scum and gross pollution. Total Pollution Score The percentage cover for all macrophyte types summed and then divided by 10. Average Channel Vegetation Cover The dominant type is the macrophyte with the largest total percentage cover recorded in the range 0-10 according to its gross flow resistance. Dominant Channel Vegetation Type A count of the number of macrophyte types in the stretch. Number Channel Vegetation Types Tree features scored 0,1 and 2 according to APE and summed. Total Tree Feature Score Tree cover is scored for each bank (range 0-5) and the scores are added Total Tree Score = 3(0*B + 1*U + 2*S + 3*C) / (B + U + S + C) BANKVEG Bank Vegetation Structure Index Index description Index Name

12. SEVEN CLASSES OF URBAN RIVER STRETCH DEFINED BY THEIR MATERIALS CHARACTERISTICS

13. Heavily engineered, straight planforms and high levels of reinforcement on the banks and the bed. High proportions (ca. 100%) of solid bank protection (concrete, laid stone etc.) and immobile substrate. HEAVILY ENGINEERED: HE Artificial (mixed sinuosity) planforms and cross-sections with extensive reinforcement High proportions (50-90%) of solid bank protection (concrete, laid stone etc.) but low proportions of immobile substrate (i.e. bed reinforcement). MODERATELY ENGINEERED: ME Artificial (mainly straight) planforms and cross-sections with extensive reinforcement High (ca. 90-100%) proportions of open matrix bank protection and moderate proportions (ca. 20-50%) of solid bank protection. Low proportions of immobile substrate. ENGINEERED: EN Artificial (usually sinuous) planforms, and cross-sections with significant reinforcement Coarser bed and bank materials (SEDCAL, BANKCAL). Moderate proportions (ca. 30-85%) of open matrix protection (gabions, rip rap etc). LIGHTLY ENGINEERED: LE Natural sinuous planforms and cross-sections with limited reinforcement Low proportions of bank protection. Finer (typically clay) substrates (SEDCAL) and bank materials (BANKCAL). SEMI-NATURAL (FINE): SNF Artificial (mainly straight) planforms, and cross-sections but with limited reinforcement Low proportions of bank protection, with mixed substrates typically corresponding to silt/sand with some gravels (SEDCAL). SEMI-NATURAL (MIXED): SNM More natural planforms and cross sections (developed through natural processes, recovery or restoration), typically with some sinuosity. Low proportions of bank protection. Coarser substrates (SEDCAL) and bank materials (average BANKCAL). SEMI-NATURAL (COARSE): SNC Description of Broad Engineering Characteristics Description of Discriminating Primary (Materials) Indicators Group Name: Abbreviation

14. SIX CLASSES OF URBAN RIVER STRETCH DEFINED BY THEIR PHYSICAL HABITAT CHARACTERISTICS

15. Predominantly artificial straight planforms No evidence of active channel recovery through bank erosion. Flow almost entirely glides. Typically contain 0 bars. High Props of Art Bank Profiles (ca. 100%). Very Low Props of Nat Bank Profiles (ca. 0%). 1-2 Habitat Types. UNIFORM STABLE: US Predominantly artificial straight planforms Little evidence of channel recovery through bank erosion. Channel dominated by glides. Typically contain 1-2 vegetated/unvegetated bars. High Props of Art Bank Profiles (ca. 100%) and low Props of Nat Bank Profiles (ca. 0-30 %). 3-4 Habitat Types. UNIFORM MODERATELY ACTIVE: UM Predominantly artificial planforms most with some sinuosity. Some evidence of active channel recovery through bank erosion. Some evidence of mixed flow regime with no pool formation. Typically contain 2-6 vegetated/unvegetated bars High Props of Art Bank Profiles (ca. 100%), and moderate to high Props of Nat Bank Profiles (ca. 0-50%). 5-9 habitat types. UNIFORM ACTIVE: UA Predominantly artificial sinuous planforms. High levels of bank recovery from engineering. Some evidence of mixed flow regime with pool formation. Typ contain 1-4 vegetated/ unvegetated bars. Moderate Props of Art Bank Profiles (40-100%) and high Props of Nat Bank Profiles (50-100%). < 7 habitat types. RECOVERING: RC Predominantly natural sinuous planforms. Flow dominated by glides with no evidence of pool formation. Typically contain 0-4 vegetated/unvegetated bars. Very low Props of Art Bank Profiles and very high Props of Nat Bank Profiles. <7 Habitat Types. SEMI-NATURAL (STABLE): SNS Predominantly natural sinuous planforms. Mixed flow regime, some evidence of pool formation. Typically contain 7-8 vegetated/ unvegetated bars. Very low Props Art Bank Profiles and very high Props of Nat Bank Profiles. > 7 Habitat Types. SEMI-NATURAL (ACTIVE): SNA Description of Broad Engineering Characteristics Typical Physical Habitat Characteristics Description of Discriminating Primary (Physical) Indicators Group Name: Abbreviation

16. EIGHT CLASSES OF URBAN RIVER STRETCH DEFINED BY THEIR VEGETATION CHARACTERISTICS

17. Mainly artificial planforms with some sinuosity. Unvegetated stretches with high Total Tree Scores combined with high bank top vegetation complexity. Unvegetated High Complexity: UHC Mainly artificial planforms usually straight but some display sinuosity. Unvegetated stretches with higher Total Tree Scores, combined with low average bank top and high average bank face complexity. Unvegetated Mod Complexity: UMC Mainly artificial planforms usually straight but some display sinuosity. An aggregate group comprised of unvegetated channels with either relatively low levels of Total Tree Scores or with a higher tree cover combined with low bank face and top complexity. Unvegetated Low Complexity: ULC Mainly artificial straight planforms. Channels dominated by algae Algal Channels: ALG Artificial planforms usually straight but some display sinuosity. Vegetated channels with high Total Tree Scores equivalent to semi-continuous – continuous tree cover. Vegetated High Trees: VHT Mainly artificial straight planforms with some natural planforms. Vegetated channels with low Total Tree Scores and low bank face BANKVEG and top BANKVEG indices. Vegetated Low Complexity: VLC Mainly artificial straight channels. Vegetated channels with low Total Tree Scores and a higher bank face than bank top complexity Vegetated Mod Complexity: VMC2 Mainly sinuous channels, either natural or artificial. Vegetated channels with low Total Tree Scores representing isolated scattered to occasional clumps, and a higher mean bank top than bank face vegetation complexity Vegetated Mod Complexity: VMC1 Description of Broad Engineering Characteristics Description of Discriminating Primary (Vegetation) Indicators Group Name: Abbreviation

19. Index Immobile Substrate Index Bank Protection (Inverse of Index No Bank Protection) BANKCAL SEDCAL Dominant Protection Type (Proportion OMP, Proportion SOL) MATERIALS CLASS < 8 ≥ 8 ≤ 1 > 1 ≤ 7 > 7 ≥ 9 ≥ -1.5 <-1.5 OPEN MATRIX SOLID SNF SNC SNM LE EN ME HE ≥ 2.5 < 2.5

20. Index Artificial Bank Profiles Index Natural Bank Profiles Number of Habitat Types PHYSICAL CLASS ≤ 5 > 5 ≥ 9 < 9 >5 ≤ 5 ≤ 7 >7 1 – 2 3 - 4 5+ SNS SNA RC US UM UA

21. Dominant Vegetation Type Total Tree Score Average BANKVEG (Face) Average BANKVEG (TOP) VEGETATION CLASS OTHER ALGAE NONE ≤ 6 >6 ≤ 6 >6 >5 ≤ 5 ≤ 6.5 >6.5 ≤ 4 > 4 <6 ≥ 6 UHC ULC UMC ALG VHT ≤ 4 VLC VMC2 VMC1

23. 7 ALG (algal) 6 ULC (unvegetated low complexity) 5 HE (Heavily engineered) 5 VLC (Vegetated low complexity) 6 US (uniform stable) 4 ME (moderately engineered) 4 UMC (unvegetated moderate complexity) 5 UM (uniform moderately active) 4 EN (engineered) 3 UHC (unvegetated high complexity) 4 UA (uniform active) 2 LE (lightly engineered) 2 VHT (vegetated high trees) 3 SNS (semi-natural stable) 2 SNM (semi-natural mixed) 1 VMC2 (vegetated moderate complexity) 2 RC (recovering) 1 SNC (semi-natural coarse) 1 VMC1 (vegetated moderate complexity) 1 SNA (semi-natural active) 1 SNF (semi-natural fine) Score Class Score Class Score Class VEGETATION PHYSICAL HABITAT MATERIALS

24. SCORES & MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR URBAN RIVER STRETCHES Stretches with varying levels of engineering, but displaying some level of either recovery or activity, with little vegetation complexity or too much tree cover. The recommendation is, where possible, to reduce the levels of immobile substrates and bank materials and increase sinuosity. Tree cover and bank top and face vegetation should be managed to provide increased variety and complexity. These channels show moderate to high levels of activity and should be targeted for rehabilitation where opportunities arise. M: SNC/SNM/LE/ME P: RC/UA/US/SNS V: ULC/UHC/VMC2 9-11 Average Semi-natural, recovering and a few uniform channels displaying some activity, with good vegetation complexity and tree cover. The recommendation is to remove any remaining reinforcement to allow the channel to recover more freely. These stretches should also be protected from further development. M: SNC/LE P: RC/SNS/UA/UM V: VMC1 & 2/ UHC/VHT 6-8 Good Predominantly semi-natural and recovering stretches, with good vegetation and tree cover. The recommendation is to leave these stretches free of management and to protect them from development. M: SNC/SNF P: SNA/RC/SNS V: VMC1 & 2/ UHC/VHT 3-5 Very Good MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS ASSOCIATED CLASSES (M=Materials; P=Physical; V=Vegetation) SCORE GRADE

25. SCORES & MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS cont.. Heavily engineered, algal-dominated, stable channels with little vegetation complexity. Significant improvements to water quality should be initiated, followed by a detailed assessment of rehabilitation needs. Aesthetic rehabilitation may be the best option in the short term. Wherever possible this should be followed by some reduction in the level of reinforcement and an increase in channel sinuosity. M: HE P: US V: ULC/ALG 17-18 Very Poor Moderate to heavily engineered channels with low to moderate levels of activity, low complexity of bank vegetation, few trees and often algal dominated channels. The recommendation is to assess the water quality for improvement of in-channel vegetation diversity, and undertake a detailed assessment of the level of rehabilitation required to improve the physical condition of the channel. Where possible, a reduction of reinforcement level and/or type and an increase in sinuosity of the channel is desirable. Tree planting should be introduced to improve riparian complexity. M: HE/ME/EN P: UM/US/UA V: ULC/UMC/ VLC/ALG 14-16 Poor Stretches with varying levels of modification showing high levels of activity, combined with low bank vegetation complexity or algal dominated channels with few trees. These channels show moderate to high levels of activity and should be targeted for rehabilitation where opportunities arise. The recommendation is to reduce or alter the level and/or type of reinforcement and increase channel sinuosity where possible. Increased tree cover through planting, and management of the bank face and top vegetation to improve complexity should be undertaken. Algal dominated channels should also be assessed for improvements to water quality. M: SNC/LE/HE P: UA/UM V: ULC/UMC/ ALG 12-13 Below Average MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS ASSOCIATED CLASSES (M=Materials; P=Physical; V=Vegetation) SCORE GRADE

26. VERY GOOD GOOD

27. AVERAGE BELOW AVERAGE

28. POOR VERY POOR

30. ≤ 4 >4 ≤ 4 <6 ≤ 6 ≤ 6 >6 >6 >6 ≤ 6 ≤ 6 or >6 Average BANKVEG (Top) Total Tree Score Average BANKVEG (Face) Dominant Vegetation Type Vegetation 1 2 4 5 Natural relatively high sinuosity Artificial moderate sinuosity Artificial low sinuosity Artificial straight ≤ 50% >50% >50% SNS, SNA RC UA US,UM Sinuosity Proportion Artificial Profiles Physical YES Predominantly Solid Protection 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 >5 >6.5 ≤ 6.5 ≤ 5 Vegetated Vegetated Vegetated Unvegetated Unvegetated Vegetated Unvegetated Algae VMC1 VMC2 VHT UHC UMC VLC ULC ALG 1 2 4 4 5 YES ≤ 10% >10% ≤ 70% >70% >70% ≥ 90% <80% <80% <80% <80% ≥ 80% SN (F, M & C) LE EN ME HE Predominantly Open Matrix Protection Proportion Bank Protection Proportion Immobile Substrate Materials Score Threshold Values for Discriminating Indicators Class