Melissa Parsons, Martin Thoms and Richard Norris
Cooperative Research Centre for Freshwater Ecology
University of Canberra
Monitoring River Health Initiative Technical Report Number 22
Environment Australia, 2002
ISSN 1447-1280
ISBN 0 642 54888 9
When implemented on a National scale, the AusRivAS physical assessment protocol will provide a standardised tool for the assessment of physical stream condition. As such, it is important that the data collected by each State or Territory conforms to the standard methods set out in this protocol. It is desirable to avoid deviations from these methods, because each deviation has the potential to effect the production of robust and reliable predictive models.
As mentioned in Part 3, the collection of field data for the physical assessment protocol is analogous to the collection of macroinvertebrates for the AusRivAS models and thus, it is vital that a full set of reliable, high quality data are collected. This protocol contains detailed information about the collection of each office and field based variable (Part 5). This information should be adopted as standard procedure. However, there is a 'conceptual limit' to the types of information that can be portrayed in text and it is essential to extend the content of this manual to a field based learning and training exercise. Training of sampling teams will ensure that the field data is of high quality, is measured in the appropriate format, and is consistent across sampling teams. In turn, these factors will contribute to the reliability and robustness of predictive models.
Field sampling teams, or representative members of each team, should be trained in standard procedure prior to the commencement of reference site sampling. This training exercise will ensure that data collection methods are identical and consistent across sampling teams. Training should be conducted in a range of river types, and should include at least one large river. It is recommended that sampling teams simultaneously attend this training exercise, and confer with each other to standardise a procedure for the collection of each individual variable. Specific aspects of data collection that should be demonstrated and synchronised during the training exercise include:
In addition, some States or Territories may need to add new variables, or make minor modifications to some variables to reflect locally encountered conditions (e.g. macrophyte species). Any additions or modifications must be made cautiously, and updated on the data sheets. All new or modified variables should be included in the training exercise.
Cross-sections in wadeable rivers
Cross-sections in large rivers or deep pools
General
Health and safety equipment
1 Note that this list is not exhaustive, and should be used as a guide only
AQUAPAK software is a package of stand alone computer programs, written in FORTRAN77, which supplements the text Stream Hydrology: An Introduction for Ecologists by N.D. Gordon, T.A. McMahon and B.L. Finlayson (John Wiley & Sons Ltd., UK, 1992, 526 pp).
The software package includes routines for computing:
The programs are interactive and user-friendly, and can run on IBM compatible personal computers. Many of the programs include graphical output.
To obtain a copy of the software, complete the details below and return to:
AQUAPAK Software
Centre for Environmental Applied Hydrology
Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering
The University of Melbourne
Victoria 3010
AUSTRALIA
or fax to: +61 3 8344 6215
The price of the software is Aus$20.00 or US$15.00 (which includes the cost of two high density 3.5" discs, postage and handling). This may be paid by Bankcard, Mastercard or Visa.
Payment details:
Bankcard / Mastercard / VisaNo: ...........................................................
Name on card: ......................................... Expiry date: ..............................
AQUAPAK to be sent to:
Name: ...................................................................
Organization: ........................................................
Address: ...............................................................
.............................................................................
...........................................................................