Evaluating the quality of riparian forest vegetation: the Riparian Forest Evaluation (RFV) index

Roberto Martínez,Fernando Magdaleno

doi:10.5424/fs/2014232-04488

Roberto Martínez, Fernando Magdaleno

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.5424/fs/2014232-04488

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Abstract

Aim of study: This paper presents a novel index, the Riparian Forest Evaluation (RFV) index, for assessing the ecological condition of riparian forests. The status of riparian ecosystems has global importance due to the ecological and social benefits and services they provide. The initiation of the European Water Framework Directive (2000/60/CE) requires the assessment of the hydromorphological quality of natural channels. The Directive describes riparian forests as one of the fundamental components that determine the structure of riverine areas. The RFV index was developed to meet the aim of the Directive and to complement the existing methodologies for the evaluation of riparian forests.Area of study: The RFV index was applied to a wide range of streams and rivers (170 water bodies) inSpain.Materials and methods: The calculation of the RFV index is based on the assessment of both the spatial continuity of the forest (in its three core dimensions: longitudinal, transversal and vertical) and the regeneration capacity of the forest, in a sampling area related to the river hydromorphological pattern. This index enables an evaluation of the quality and degree of alteration of riparian forests. In addition, it helps to determine the scenarios that are necessary to improve the status of riparian forests and to develop processes for restoring their structure and composition.Main results: The results were compared with some previous tools for the assessment of riparian vegetation. The RFV index got the highest average scores in the basins of northernSpain, which suffer lower human influence. The forests in central and southern rivers got worse scores. The bigger differences with other tools were found in complex and partially altered streams and rivers.Research highlights: The study showed the index’s applicability under diverse hydromorphological and ecological conditions and the main advantages of its application. The utilization of the index allows a better understanding of the status of riparian forests, and enhances improvements in the conservation and management of riparian areas.Keywords: riparian quality; Water Framework Directive; connectivity; indicator; hydromorphology.

Highlights

Riparian forests are one of the most valuable ecological elements of river systems
The status of the forest found in the northern Spanish basins is consistent with the overall quality of the riparian areas in those regions, Riparian Forest Evaluation (RFV) Index RFV Index
The northern basins in Spain, which are less affected by human pressures along their floodplains and riparian areas, maintained higher quality in their riparian forests

Summary

Introduction

Riparian forests are one of the most valuable ecological elements of river systems They maintain high levels of biological diversity and productivity and provide dynamic habitats for many different species (Bennett and Simon, 2004). They provide many other ecological and social benefits and ecosystem services, performing critical functions in both hydrological and biogeochemical cycles, protecting water quality, and providing important habitats for a rich diversity of flora and fauna (Naiman and Décamps, 1997; Lohman, 2004). Some authors (Gurnell and Gregory, 1995; Bendix and Hupp, 2000; Richter and Richter, 2000) have analysed the interactions between hydrological and biomorphological processes, highlighting the importance of riparian stands in the

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