Planet WGSW-24010 User Manual page 151

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Take particular care to look out for small patches of species, which may otherwise be missed.
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Only use grapnels to retrieve specimens for identification.
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If you are unsure about the identification of a species, take a representative sample back to the
laboratory to confirm identification: this is especially important for bryophytes, filamentous algae,
Callitriche and Ranunculus species. Use of Ranunculus species indeterminate #1 and #2 is allowed
provided identification notes on made under 'Comments' and a sample retained in the herbarium.
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Collect herbarium material if required (herbarium should include all regularly encountered species).
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Use one of the recommended methods to estimate the percentage cover of individual species. The
standard abundance scale for 100m surveys is the 9-point Scale C.
6. Estimate the overall percentage cover of macrophytes in the survey length. Use as a double-check on
the total of the percentage covers of individual species, but remember that the overall cover can be less
than the total of the individual percentage covers if there are layers of macrophytes overlying each
other.
7. Assign a measure of confidence in the survey (A, B or C: see definition).
8. Assess and record the physical character of the survey length, using the standard field recording sheet.
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Record either actual percentages and/or categories/classes in a manner which allows comparison with
previous surveys. Record percentages to integer values (the nearest percentage point).
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If a feature is absent, record this as 0% (category 0): do not leave data entry spaces/boxes unfilled.
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If a feature is present at less than 0.5%, then ignore unless that particular habitat type contains the only
occurrence of a scoring species, in which case note it under 'Comments' and mark its position on the
sketch map.
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'Width' means the channel width for which macrophyte species have been recorded. Use one of the
recommended methods for measuring or estimating width.
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The shading for each bank is recorded separately. The percentage recorded for shading from each
bank should relate to the whole channel width, not just half the width. The percentage of the
channel affected by shading is recorded, NOT the length of bank on which vegetation causing
shade stands. The percentage of the channel recorded as shaded is that shaded when the sun is directly
overhead - midday.
9. Draw a sketch map of the survey length, using the standard field recording sheet.
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The purpose of this map is to enable a future surveyor to re-locate the survey length.
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If starting from the upstream end of the survey length, the left side of the paper corresponds to the left
bank. If starting from the downstream end, turn the map upside down.
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Use the list on the back of the recording sheet as a guide as to what to record.
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Relocation features include any permanent features such as fences, hedges, walls, bridges etc. It may
also be useful to mark (on a separate location map if necessary), the position of suitable parking and
access, as this may also help re-location.
10. Take a photograph of the survey length to record its general character.
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The use of a polarising filter to reduce surface reflection is recommended.
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Write the date and an identifying code or site name and river name on a small blackboard or wipe-clean
board and place this in the photograph. Record the identifying code on the record sheet.
11. If the results from the survey are to be compared with those from another site, assign a measure of
confidence for comparability of the survey lengths (I, II or III: see definition).
12. Before you leave the site, check that all the data entry boxes/spaces on the field recording sheets have
been completed, and that you have drawn a sketch map and taken a photograph.
R&D Technical Report E38 137