Healthy river habitats fit for wildlife: Deriving the physical dimension

Water quantity water quality and physical structure determine the ability o f a river's ecosystem to function and therefore its fitness for wildlife. T his paper describes how a system for assessing the physical dimension of ri ver-habitat quality has been developed in the UK. The paper also highlights (a) the main features and principles of 'river habitat survey', (b) how th e method has already been used to help river management, and (c) some futur e uses, including the setting of habitat targets.