Impact Evaluation of Riparian Vegetation on Aquatic Habitat Quality of Rivers

Abstract

The knowledge about the natural potential vegetation is important to ensure the ecological stability of the area in terms of the restoration of riparian vegetation. The natural generic and spatial arrangement of riparian vegetation helps to maintain aesthetic appeal and has a high biological value in the country. Therefore, this work analyses the qualitative stream characteristics. To classify the qualitative parameters of the stream the method of indexes was used. The following hydromorphological methods were used to assess the condition of the biotope: QBR method (Qualitat del Bosc de Ribera) that is based on qualitative analysis of riparian vegetation, the HMS method (Habitat Modification Score) that allows to examine the anthropogenic changes in the river, BEHI method (Bank Erosion Hazard Index) that is used to determine the vulnerability to erosion, RGA method (Rapid Geomorphic Assessments) that is used for assessing the stability and sensitivity of the stream in relation to sedimentation processes, and RCE method (Inventory of River, Channel and Environment) that is used to assess the physical and biological state of small currents. The above-mentioned methodologies reliably identify the extremes concerning the riparian and the accompanying vegetation of the rivers. The vegetation is an important parameter for assessing the quality of the stream and it point out the areas that should be restored as a priority. As expected, the qualitative and quantitative characteristics of riparian vegetation have shown better results in rural areas than in urban areas. The quality of the stream is degraded by anthropogenic interventions in urban areas as well as in rural areas, so the focus on the vegetation of the whole stream is substantial. The individual methods allow the restoration of data in case of more significant changes that could be caused, for example, by floods or more significant anthropogenic impacts. The importance of this issue is growing as the riparian vegetation represent a valuable element of ecological stability with multiple functions. The riparian vegetation care is set by the actual legislation at national and transnational level, regarding the admitted European strategic objectives and documents. The application of the methodologies reliably identifies extremes in riparian vegetation, which significantly affect the overall characteristics of the flow quality, and they should be the subject of the restoration. The biological, morphological and water state of ten representative parts of Slatina and Drietomica rivers were evaluated. The results show that these methodologies present an appropriate tool for assessing the quality of riparian vegetation and can be used for restoration measures.