SECTION 10
Being able to assess the health of your riparian land is a useful management tool.
Rivers of Carbon have developed a DIY Stream Condition checklist that uses photographs and explanations to describe what riparian areas in poor, moderate and good condition look like.
Download the FREE Stream Condition checklist here
You can also carry out a quick, visual assessment of the five main indicators of riparian health using the photos below as a guide.
Three layers of vegetation of vegetation are visible,: the groundcover (reeds and grasses), midstorey (shrubs) and canopy (tall trees).
Photo: Siwan Lovett.
This riparian area boasts a healthy mix of groundcover plants and tall trees. The midstorey is returning after many years of uncontrolled grazing.
Photo: Stuart Naylor.
Other than grass, there is no native groundcover, the midstorey is absent and the few trees that make up the canopy are in poor condition.
Photo: Stuart Naylor.
Native vegetation is extensive, and runs in a corridor either side of the waterway.
Photo: Lori Gould.
Habitat does not yet form a continuous link, due to the lack of groundcover and midstorey plants. Photo: Sharman Darnell.
Sparse vegetation in this recently fenced-off site provides little food or protection for native animals. Revegetation is recommended.
Photo: Stuart Naylor.
A diverse mix of indigenous and native species, especially in the midstorey.
Photo: Siwan Lovett.
Groundcover contains some exotic pasture.
Photo: Sharman Darnell.
Exotic species (mainly willows) dominate.
Photo: Haydn Burgess.
Branches are allowed to remain where they fall, and more than 80% of the ground is covered with debris and leaf litter.
Photo: Margie Fitzpatrick.
Dead branches have been placed in this newly-restored wetland, and litter and debris are beginning to accumulate.
Photo: Jillian Staton.
A ‘tidy’ riparian landscape with little in the way of litter or debris.
Photo: Haydn Burgess.
Native plants are flourishing in this swampy meadow.
Photo: Richard Snashall.
The midstorey, is showing good signs of natural regrowth but the canopy is yet to regenerate
Photo: Mike Wagg.
Grazing is putting pressure on these trees, and is preventing seedlings from germinating.
Photo: Stuart Naylor.
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Through our Rivers of Carbon program we can help you manage stock around waterways. We will visit your property and work with you to develop a plan for your waterway that may involve fencing, off-stream water, small-scale erosion works, and re-vegetation.
Once we have an agreement in place on what we want to achieve together, we generally cover at least half of the costs involved in implementing the agreement. Click the button below to learn more about our program:
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