Riparian Habitat Quality 



Points were awarded for five habitat quality attributes. For each of 

 these habitat characteristics, the biologists could assign a rating of high 

 (3 points), moderate (2 points) or low (1 point). All five factors were 

 equally weighted (5 points) except if a 3 was assigned for condition, 

 wetlands, or vegetative diversity. In these situations, 10 additional bonus 

 points were awarded. The following attributes were evaluated: 



1. C ondition of the Riparian Zone ; 



High - Riparian zone is in excellent condition, minimally 

 impacted by land uses such as roads, agriculture grazing, 

 subdivisions. Riparian zone retains nearly all of its natural 

 vegetation characteristics and wildlife values; 



Moderate - Riparian zone is moderately affected by land uses (as 

 described above) but retains significant amount of inherent 

 natural vegetation characteristics and wildlife values; 

 impacted areas have potential to be rehabilitated; 



Low - Riparian zone is highly affected by land uses; only 

 remnant patches or blocks of natural vegetation exist and only 

 limited opportunity for vegetative rehabilitation. 



2. A mount of Mature Forests ; 



High - Numerous large tracts (>150 ac) or continuous bordering 

 (>30 ft. wide) of mature deciduous or coniferous forest (e.g. 

 gallery forests); 



M oderat e - occasional large tracts (<150 ac) or intermittent 

 bordering (<30 ft.) of mature deciduous or coniferous forest; 



Low - Little or no forest development along riparian zone. 



3. Amount of Wetlands ; 



High - Oxbow lakes, sloughs, backwater areas or other signifi- 

 cant wetland types common along water course (characteristic 

 of large meandering rivers); 



M oderat e - Occasional oxbow lakes, ponds, sloughs, backwater 

 areas, or seeps; 



Low - Few to no significant wetland areas associated with water 

 course(s) . 



4. A mount of Islands ; 



High - Many (characteristic of braided rivers/streams); 

 Moderate - Occasional to several islands; 

 Low - Few to no islands. 



5. Vegetative Structure/Diversity ; 



High - Riparian zone vegetation well-developed and characterized 



by a wide variety of vegetation types and structural types 



appropriate for its size and configuration; 

 Moderate - Riparian zone less well-developed due to land uses 



or natural characteristics; has moderate variety of vegetation 



and structural types; 



