JCU ePrints

Abstract

The tropical rapid appraisal of riparian condition (TRARC) is a visual assessment of the riparian zone using simple indicators of condition. It is designed to be user-friendly for the non-specialist and is best suited to savanna streams with a well defined channel and a distinct riparian zone and is not designed for estuaries or for floodplains adjacent to the riparian zone. An index of condition is derived from 24 indicators which are grouped into four sub-indices: (1) Plant Cover, the amount of cover provided by all the vegetation; (2) Regeneration, the amount of native plant regeneration; (3) Weeds, the cover of exotic weeds relative to native plants and (4) Erosion, the amount of bank erosion. Also, an index of Pressure is derived from six indicators which help identify the likely causes of change in condition. This guideline provides step by step instructions for undertaking a TRARC assessment. The TRARC Version 1 described here is preliminary and subsequent iterations will be refined through further research and extensive field validation in different river types.