United States Department of Agriculture

Forest Service Gen. Tech. Rep.

Rocky Mountain RMRS-GTR-367

Research Station November 2017

The National 

Riparian Core Protocol:

A Riparian Vegetation Monitoring Protocol 

for Wadeable Streams of the 

Conterminous United States
Merritt, David M.; Manning, Mary E.; Hough-Snee, Nate, eds. 2017. The National Riparian 

Core Protocol: A riparian vegetation monitoring protocol for wadeable streams of the 

conterminous United States. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-367. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. 

Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 37 p.

Abstract

Riparian areas are hotspots of biological diversity that may serve as high quality habitat for fish and 

wildlife. The National Riparian Core Protocol (NRCP) provides tools and methods to assist natural 

resource professionals in sampling riparian vegetation and physical characteristics along wadeable 

streams. Guidance is provided for collecting basic information on riparian vegetation composition 

and physical structure in fluvial riparian ecosystems. The NRCP provides a foundation to assess 

the characteristics and condition of channels and riparian vegetation at a single point in time or in 

response to changes in land- and water-use activities, including restoration, or natural processes 

through time.

Keywords: floodplains, monitoring, protocol, riparian vegetation, valley bottom classification, 

vegetation assessment, wadeable streams

Editors

David M. Merritt, Ph.D. (dmmerritt@fs.fed.us), is the riparian ecologist at the USDA Forest Service 

National Stream and Aquatic Ecology Center and affiliate faculty in the Department of Forest and 

Rangeland Stewardship and the Graduate Degree Program in Ecology, Colorado State University, 

Fort Collins, Colorado.

Mary E. Manning, M.S. (mmanning@fs.fed.us) is the regional vegetation ecologist for the USDA 

Forest Service Northern Region, Missoula, Montana.

Nate Hough-Snee, Ph.D., (nwhoughsnee@fs.fed.us) is a riparian ecologist contracted to the USDA 

Forest Service National Stream and Aquatic Ecology Center through Meadow Run Environmental, 

Leavenworth, Washington.

All Rocky Mountain Research Station publications are published by U.S. Forest Service employees and are in the 

public domain and available at no cost. Even though U.S. Forest Service publications are not copyrighted, they 

are formatted according to U.S. Department of Agriculture standards and research findings and formatting cannot 

be altered in reprints. Altering content or formatting, including the cover and title page, is strictly prohibited.

Photo credit: Mary E. Manning.
Contributors

In addition to the editors, the National Riparian Team that initially developed and drafted the 

National Riparian Protocol consisted of:

Erick A. Carlson, Ph.D. Candidate, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Marc Coles-Ritchie, Ph.D., Ecologist, Grand Canyon Trust, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Kathleen A. Dwire, Ph.D., Research Riparian Ecologist, USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain 

Research Station, Fort Collins, Colorado.

Lina Polvi, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Fluvial Geomorphology, Umea University, Umea, Sweden.

Gregg M. Riegel, Area Ecologist, USDA Forest Service, Deschutes National Forest, Bend, Oregon.

Dave A. Weixelman, Regional Rangeland Ecologist, USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest 

Region, Vallejo, California.

With assistance from:

Janet Grove, Retired, USDA Forest Service, Tonto National Forest, Phoenix, Arizona.

F. Jack Triepke, Regional Ecologist, USDA Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Albuquerque, 

New Mexico.

Acknowledgments

We thank these National Forests for reviewing, testing, and providing feedback on the National 

Riparian Protocol: Hiawatha, Malheur, Umatilla, Wallowa-Whitman, San Juan, Green Mountain, 

White Mountain, Medicine Bow-Routt, Allegheny, and Daniel Boone. Jessie Salix (BeaverheadDeerlodge National Forest) and Brett Roper (National Stream and Aquatic Ecology Center) 

provided excellent reviews of the concepts and methods presented in the final protocol. 

Additionally, we thank the National Riparian Service Team for reviewing the protocol, and Colorado 

State University for developing, testing, field validating, and providing classification map products of 

the Hydrogeomorphic Valley Classification. We thank Linda Spencer for helpful dialogue regarding 

riparian resources and monitoring. We thank Constance Lemos, Patricia Cohn, and Lane Eskew for 

providing editorial assistance on behalf of the Rocky Mountain Research Station.

The use of trade or firm names in the publication is for reader information and does not imply 

endorsement by the U.S. Department of Agriculture of any product or service.
At a Glance

Why a National Riparian Protocol for the Forest Service?

The purpose of the National Riparian Protocol is to provide guidance on sampling riparian 

vegetation and physical characteristics along wadeable stream channels and their associated 

floodplains and valley bottoms. Many riparian areas have been altered or degraded by historic and 

current land use and alterations in the timing, magnitude, and duration of peak and minimum flows. 

These land- and water-use patterns shape channel and streamside landforms and the composition 

and structure of the associated vegetation. There is a need for a basic, flexible protocol that 

provides a foundation to assess the composition and physical structure of riparian vegetation so 

that riparian condition can be explicitly linked to land- and water-use activities. The same protocol 

can be used to monitor riparian ecosystem change following restoration activities or natural 

disturbances.

What is the National Riparian Core Protocol (NRCP)?

This NRCP is a basic protocol designed for sampling ecologically important characteristics of 

riparian areas at the reach scale, including: (1) species composition, (2) vertical structure of 

vegetation, (3) size-class structure of trees, and (4) physical channel characteristics. The NRCP 

is intended to guide land managers in gathering riparian data so that they may make comparisons 

among multiple reaches or track the trajectory of reaches’ vegetation composition and structure 

over time. This core protocol provides a flexible framework that can be used to collect basic 

information on riparian vegetation composition and structure for reach characterization, and/or 

used as the foundation of a long-term monitoring program that is implemented to answer specific 

management questions. The NRCP complements existing agency protocols for monitoring riparian 

vegetation resources and may be paired with aquatic and fishery-related protocols when larger 

biological inventories are required.

Who was the protocol designed for?

The protocol was designed for resource managers who are undertaking objective-based riparian 

monitoring and for those tasked with monitoring riparian vegetation to track changes through 

time. This NRCP was designed for botanists, plant ecologists, rangeland scientists, foresters, 

hydrologists, and other resource specialists. With proper training, it can be carried out in the field 

by biological or hydrological science technicians. Because streams and their riparian areas are 

complex systems, teams of multiple resource specialists with plant or forest ecology, hydrology, 

and/or geomorphology backgrounds will be able to most effectively implement the protocol and pair 

the resulting data with meaningful hydrologic and/or watershed disturbance data.

Where can the protocol be applied?

The methods outlined in the NRCP are intended for use on a variety of stream types and within 

a variety of valley settings. Flexibility is deliberately built into this protocol, and the manager 

must tailor the methods to specific sites, settings, and conditions to best meet project objectives. 

Monitoring plans tailored to meet clearly defined objectives under a well-defined scale, scope, and 

area of interest are essential to collecting informative riparian vegetation data.

What types of disturbances or land management issues can this protocol be used to monitor?

The protocol can be used to effectively assess riparian vegetation responses to multiple 

disturbances. These include, but are not limited to:

• How riparian vegetation changes across hydrologic gradients and fluvial landforms along a 

given stream reach;

ii
• How natural (insect, herbivory, disease), fluvial (stream-related), or human-caused disturbance 

shapes vegetation composition over time; and

• The effectiveness of stream or riparian restoration in recovering desirable attributes of riparian 

vegetation, including composition, structure, habitat value, and individual tree fitness.

Additional methods are available to augment this core protocol. Guidance for adding 

measurements to meet specific objectives, such as characterizing grazing impacts, quantifying 

habitat characteristics, and determining the effects of vegetation removal, etc., are referenced 

below and can be found in the more extensive USDA Forest Service Riparian Monitoring Protocol 

Technical Guide, Merritt, David M.; Manning, Mary E.; Hough-Snee, Nate. In preparation. The 

riparian vegetation monitoring technical guide: Rationale, guidance, and methods for sampling 

wadeable streams. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-XXX. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 187 p.

What are the value-added applications of the protocol? Can the protocol be integrated with existing 

hydrologic, fisheries, aquatic, wildlife, and rangeland monitoring applications?

Data collected under the NRCP may fit into existing monitoring efforts on many forests, 

including monitoring already being conducted for rare and endangered plants, fish or benthic 

macroinvertebrate community composition and abundance, stream habitat (geomorphic) surveys, 

water quality, wildlife community composition and abundance, and grazing impacts. In many cases, 

vegetation data collected with this protocol can be used to inform studies or report the condition of 

habitat and stream-related natural resources. The data collected with the NRCP can be modified 

to effectively characterize riparian ecosystems for many National Forest planning purposes, 

including National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), National Forest Management Act (NFMA), and 

Endangered Species Act (ESA) analyses.

Are additional resources that augment the core protocol available for Forest Service staff?

The USDA Forest Service Riparian Monitoring Protocol Technical Guide will be available in 2018. 

This guide provides background on fluvial geomorphic, hydrologic, and ecological principles and 

processes for scientists with a general background not focused on rivers. Both the Core Protocol 

and Technical Guide are to be accompanied by a training video in 2018.

iii
Contents

At a Glance.......................................................................................................... ii

Overview..............................................................................................................1

Site Selection and Reach Determination.............................................................3

Identifying Stream Segments and Reaches ................................................4

Sample Units and Sampling Intensity..........................................................5

Riparian Area Determination .......................................................................6

Active Channel Determination .....................................................................7

Transect Layout for Channel and Vegetation Measurement .......................7

Point Layout and Vegetation Sampling Along Transects ...........................10

Vegetation Sampling..........................................................................................11

Woody and Herbaceous Vegetation ..........................................................12

Tree Stem Density, Basal Area, and Condition..........................................13

Plant Specimen Collection.........................................................................15

Physical Feature Measurement.........................................................................15

Geomorphic Classification of Fluvial Surfaces ..........................................15

Active Channel Width ................................................................................17

Channel Cross-Sections............................................................................17

Reach Longitudinal Profile.........................................................................18

Data Entry, Quality Control and Assurance, and Analysis Techniques..............18

References ........................................................................................................19

Appendix 1—Overview of Valley Determination and Reach 

Location Workflow to Guide Field Sampling ..................................................23

Appendix 2—Field Sampling at a Glance..........................................................25

Appendix 3—Gear List for Line-point Intercept Method ....................................27

Appendix 4—Random Numbers for Determining Initial Transect Location .......28

Appendix 5—Determination of Number of Points at a Site and 

Along a Transect ............................................................................................29

Appendix 6—Special Cases..............................................................................30

Appendix 7—Objective-Based Add-ons to the Core Riparian Protocol.............31

Appendix 8—Vegetation Data Field Forms .......................................................32

Index of Key Terms............................................................................................35

iv
USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017. 1

The National Riparian Core Protocol: 

A Riparian Vegetation Monitoring 

Protocol for Wadeable Streams of 

the Conterminous United States

Edited by David M. Merritt, Mary E. Manning, and Nate Hough-Snee

Overview

Riparian areas, the interface between aquatic and terrestrial environments, are 

often physically heterogeneous and biologically diverse, and they may have high rates 

of species turnover over time relative to surrounding uplands. Riparian ecosystems 

provide critical habitat for aquatic, semi-aquatic, and terrestrial plant and animal species, but they have also been historically degraded from land use, flow alteration, and 

invasive species. Although there is an urgent need to understand their spatial extent, 

condition, structure, and function, the dynamic nature of stream channels makes 

sampling, monitoring, and evaluating riparian vegetation challenging. This difficulty 

has given way to the development of standardized riparian monitoring methods within 

many land management agencies.

This document describes the USDA Forest Service’s National Riparian Core 

Protocol (NRCP), which provides guidance on measuring riparian vegetation and channel characteristics along wadeable stream channels and their associated floodplains and 

valley bottoms. This core protocol is designed to guide plant ecologists and botanists, 

rangeland scientists, foresters, hydrologists, and other resource specialists in gathering 

data to assess (1) riparian plant species composition across multiple canopy and ground 

cover strata and (2) channel conditions at the reach scale. When employed at a single 

point in time, the data collected with this protocol can be used to compare plant species 

composition and riparian conditions among multiple reaches. When conducted repeatedly at a single reach (or a set of reaches), riparian condition can be assessed through 

time to track trends in riparian plant species composition and structure.

Numerous methods have been developed for measuring riparian condition for a 

given stream type and set of objectives, such as looking at the effects of grazing or water withdrawal on riparian vegetation. Such methods are often adequate for achieving 

specific goals along the stream channel types for which they were designed. However, 

there is no protocol that is optimal for every stream and every purpose. Monitoring 

protocols, including the NRCP, should be tailored to meet clearly defined objectives—

that is, to answer specific questions—across clearly defined spatial and temporal scales, 

within a specified geographic area of interest. This core protocol is designed to measure 

key characteristics of riparian areas that include: (1) species composition, (2) vertical structure of vegetation, (3) size-class structure of trees, and (4) physical channel 

characteristics.
2 USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017.

The methods outlined within the NRCP are intended for use on a variety of stream types 

and valley settings across the conterminous United States. These methods include workflows for:

• using geospatial data to identify valley trend and valley types, stream segments, and 

individual reaches for sampling,

• establishing vegetation transects and channel cross-sections,

• sampling vegetation strata and substrate characteristics using the line-point intercept 

method,

• sampling tree and shrub composition, size structure, and condition, and

• surveying channel cross-sections and reach longitudinal profiles.

The core protocol has been designed to be flexible, and it is necessary for the investigator to tailor the methods to specific sites, landscape settings, environmental conditions, and 

project objectives. The number of transects, spacing of transects and/or points per transect, 

and specific sampling techniques may need to be modified for specific projects.

The approaches outlined in the NRCP, while flexible, are predicated upon several guiding assumptions:

• Monitoring design, data collection, analyses, and interpretation are conducted or supervised by a qualified plant ecologist, preferably one with experience working in riparian 

areas.

• Prior to any field data collection, sample reaches that address the monitoring question 

have been carefully selected using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data, aerial 

photographs, topographic maps, and/or field reconnaissance.

• Each sample reach is comprised of a distinct and continuous valley type, geomorphic 

setting, and stream type.

• The sample reach is not located at a tributary junction.

• For longitudinal monitoring, reaches will be sampled repeatedly and consistently 

through time. This means that reach endpoints (top-of-reach, bottom-of-reach) should 

be permanently marked and easily relocated. As will be discussed below, repeated 

random (probabilistic) sampling of a reach is advised if the channel is likely to change 

locations over time through channel migration, avulsion, channel rerouting as a part of 

restoration, etc.

• Other factors influencing plant species composition such as livestock grazing, mechanical disturbance, wildfire, etc., are identified prior to monitoring and accounted for in 

data analysis and interpretation.

The NRCP provides a simple, flexible framework for collecting riparian vegetation 

composition and structure for reach characterization, and/or as the foundation of a longterm monitoring program that is employed to answer specific questions. Accordingly, this 

document is organized to guide land managers through the NRCP process, from identifying sample units and sampling intensity in the office, to data collection in the field, and 

from raw data to insightful analyses. Additional methods are available to augment this core 

protocol and guidance for adding measurements that meet specific objectives, including 

characterizing grazing impacts, quantifying aquatic habitat characteristics, determining the 
USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017. 3

effects of vegetation removal, etc. These are provided in the larger USDA Forest Service 

Riparian Vegetation Monitoring Technical Guide (hereafter Riparian Technical Guide; 

Merritt et al. In preparation).

Site Selection and Reach Determination

For a given application of the protocol, the valley extent and type, stream segment, and 

stream reaches that will be sampled should be identified in the office prior to sampling. 

The valley type through which a stream flows is determined by valley slope, width, form, 

and geology. Valley type constrains the range of stream channel forms that may occur 

along a stream segment, which in turn governs stream physical characteristics and the 

riparian vegetation that may occur at a site. When selecting reaches for sampling, the first 

stratification that should occur among candidate reaches is the identification and organization of the stream segment or channel network by valley type.

There are several valley bottom and valley type classifications and geospatial tools 

available to land managers, including the Hydrogeomorphic Valley Classification 

(HGVC) framework of Carlson (2009), which identifies different valley types across 

which riparian samples can be stratified or paired and reference conditions established. 

The HGVC framework takes a process-based approach to identifying valley bottoms, is 

freely available, and was created in collaboration with Forest Service scientists, making 

it ideal for application on National Forest System lands. The HGVC identifies nine valley 

types for the western United States:

(1) headwater,

(2) high-energy coupled,

(3) high-energy open,

(4) gorge,

(5) canyon,

(6) moderate-energy confined,

(7) moderate-energy unconfined,

(8) glacial trough, 

(9) low-energy floodplain.

Different valley types occur in different landscape settings and support streams with 

different energy potential, physical character, and hydraulic behavior under different 

flows. Due to inherent differences within and between streams, the sampling layout, number and length of transects, and other measurements will vary by valley type (Frissel et al. 

1986; Poole et al. 1997). Applying an initial classification of valley types within the study 

area is important so that replicate reaches along a segment are of similar valley form. 

When control or reference segments are compared to impacted segments, both segments 

should occur within the same valley type.

At this time, HGVC data are available through the U.S. Forest Service ArcGIS Online 

portal National Riparian Protocol group at: http://usfs.maps.arcgis.com. Documentation 

for the HGVC is provided in Carlson (2009) and at the U.S. Forest Service ArcGIS 

Online portal.
4 USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017.

In addition to the HGVC, additional valley classifications, such as the Rosgen Valley 

Classification (Rosgen 1996), or mapping tools, such as the Landscape Scale Valley 

Confinement Algorithm (Nagel et al. 2014) or the Valley Bottom Extraction Tool (Gilbert 

et al. 2016), may be used to place reaches in a watershed context (Frissell et al. 1986) and 

refine the extent and type of valley that is mapped and to stratify reaches by their valley 

type within a sampling design. Regardless of the valley classification used, the sample 

reaches selected for comparison should occur within the same distinct and representative 

valley forms. If using the HGVC or other geomorphic classifications to classify valley 

types is not possible, then managers can measure valley width and slope from digital 

elevation models such as the USGS National Elevation Dataset. Quadrangle maps may 

be used to stratify reaches by valley width and channel slope and coarsely define valley 

types when GIS topography data are unavailable.

After identifying reach types and extents, valley bottom polygons from the HGVC 

or other valley bottom delineations should be intersected with the stream segment and 

sample reaches. Using GIS, Google Earth, or equivalent software, managers should draw 

a centerline over the valley extent that parallels the valley direction and/or valley walls. 

This valley centerline outlines how valley direction changes from the top of a valley to 

the bottom, and dictates how transects are placed perpendicular to the valley extent for 

stream sampling (Appendix 1).

Identifying Stream Segments and Reaches

A valley segment is the length of stream of interest. It is typically several-to-many 

stream reaches in length (Bisson et al. 2006; defined below). For most Forest Service 

monitoring applications, a relevant valley segment is likely to be the portion of stream 

located upstream or downstream from a point of impact such as a dam, diversion, or grazing allotment; a length of stream between tributary junctions where channels converge; 

or any portion of a stream consisting of multiple sample reaches at which inference is to 

be made. When riparian vegetation across multiple stream segments is compared, those 

segments should be within similar valley and channel forms. Stratifying segments into 

different valley types and selecting reaches of a uniform channel form are important in 

controlling for variability within segments and reaches so that changes in riparian attributes are detectable.

For the purposes of this protocol, a reach is defined as the downstream channel length 

equivalent to 20 active channel widths. The reach is a conventional unit used in geomorphology for channel measurement and classification (Montgomery and Buffington 1997), 

making it a similarly intuitive and consistent unit for riparian vegetation and channel 

sampling. The reach should encompass several sequences of repeating channel forms 

(geomorphic units) such as pool-riffle, step-pool, or meander-point bar-cutbank sequences. Reaches should be randomly or systematically located along a stream segment so that 

inference can be made to the entire segment or similar, unsampled stream segments so 

that these segments can be compared.

Reach locations along a valley segment of interest should be determined by choosing a 

random initial point along the segment’s valley centerline and:

(1) systematically choosing an evenly spaced downstream interval for sample reaches, or

(2) subjectively sampling representative channel types along the segment.
USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017. 5

Subjective sampling, while it may target specific landforms, limits the inference that 

can be made about riparian condition only to the sampled vegetation points, not the entire 

reach. If randomly or systematically selected reaches encompass either more than one 

valley type or a significant change in channel characteristics, reaches should be relocated 

upstream or downstream until a uniform reach has been identified.

The valley, segment, and reach locations at which sampling will occur should be identified in the office prior to field work by attributing a shapefile with the valley trendline 

(centerline) over valley maps or topographic data (table 1). The upstream and downstream extent of stream segments should be identified on GIS hydrography data, aerial 

imagery, or contour maps. Digital orthogonal aerial imagery (orthophotos), like those 

available from the National Agricultural Imagery Program (NAIP), ArcGIS base maps, or 

Google Earth, should be used to identify the upper and lower extent of valley segments 

and confirm the orientation of the valley centerline, to systematically or randomly locate 

stream reaches within a segment, to determine channel dimensions, and to coarsley delineate riparian boundaries.

Sample Units and Sampling Intensity

After determining the valley type and identifying the stream segments and types of 

reaches of interest, a subset of the total number of possible reaches along a segment is 

selected for sampling. Each selected reach is a sampling unit. To effectively represent a 

stream segment, a minimum of three reaches (sampling units) should be identified. At 

each reach, multiple transects are established for vegetation and channel sampling perpendicular to the valley trend line. The number of transects established along a reach and 

the number of plots or points along each transect will inherently vary as a function of the 

objectives of the project.

The goal in choosing the number of reaches and sampling points is to obtain a sample 

size that provides sufficient information to address the issues of interest, to provide enough 

statistical power to test specific hypotheses, and to discern patterns. Sampling effort should 

be designed considering the objective(s) of the study, such as whether sampling is designed 

to characterize vegetation composition, provide a thorough inventory of riparian plant species, or identify subtle changes in vegetation across environmental gradients and between 

Table 1—The office workflow for identifying valley types and extent and estimating transect placement 

prior to field sampling.

Activity Data or tools used 

Valley classification for reach stratification Hydrogeomorphic Valley Classification or other valley 

bottom classification data; GIS topographic data

Valley bottom delineation and valley bottom 

centerline trend identification to determine 

transect placement

GIS valley bottom mapping software or data; USGS 

quadrangle maps

Roughly estimating transect location and trend 

perpendicular to the valley centerline along a 

stream segment

GIS orthophotos that include stream channel images; 

Hydrography datasets 

Identifying stream types and stream channels 

with transect placement exceptions

GIS orthophotos; Wetland or water body GIS data that 

identifies floodplain meadows, beaver complexes, etc.
6 USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017.

systems. Analyses of community composition should rely on species-area curves (fig. A5.1) 

or other methods to ensure adequate sampling to answer study questions. An ideal sample 

size will have sufficient data and statistical power to answer the question of interest without 

oversampling and spending unnecessary time, resources, and effort on data collection.

For wadeable streams, a minimum of five transects and 200 points per reach are recommended, although more points are preferable, especially in structurally or biologically 

diverse settings. Closely spaced points will detect fine-scale changes in vegetation across 

floodplains with many different landforms, while widely spaced points may miss this variation. Distances between points should not exceed 5 m. Along wide valleys, this may result 

in far more than 200 sample points, so longer sampling times are required for larger valley 

bottoms. For analysis and comparison among reaches, the sampled points collected along 

a single transect that occur on a particular fluvial surface (e.g., floodplain, bank, terrace, or 

island) are the statistical (sampling) unit. The subsampled presence-absence data from each 

point are pooled by reach, and reach-level data are pooled by fluvial surface for comparison. 

Data should be gathered systematically across the entire valley bottom and not weighted or 

otherwise altered to specifically oversample or undersample fluvial surfaces. The dataset 

will be stratified during analysis after fieldwork is complete.

As previously mentioned, reduced sampling intensity may be required for riparian 

characterization compared to hypothesis testing in a hypothesis-driven experimental design. 

The intensity of sampling and optimal allocation of effort between subsampling reaches and 

sampling more reaches will also be constrained by:

(1) heterogeneity in channel form and vegetative attributes such as species presence, cover, 

density, frequency, etc.,

(2) achieving an adequate sample size (with the reach as the sample unit) to detect change 

in some variable of interest,

3) factors such as available resources and site accessibility.

If there is variation within a segment that is not necessarily of interest for monitoring, 

such as changes in channel form, fence lines that indicate different land use, or some other 

confounding reason for vegetation change, then a single reach should not straddle the multiple impact zones. For example, if characterizing vegetation across a reach, then sampling 

continuously across a fence line that separates grazed portions of a reach from ungrazed 

portions would confound the data and thus be uninformative.

Riparian Area Determination

The edge of the riparian area is determined using three criteria:

(1) substrate attributes—the portion of the valley bottom influenced by fluvial processes 

under the current climatic regime,

(2) biotic attributes—riparian vegetation characteristic of the region and plants known to be 

adapted to shallow water tables and fluvial disturbance, and

(3) hydrologic attributes—the area of the valley bottom flooded at the stage of the 100-year 

recurrence interval flow (Ries et al. 2004). The 100-year recurrence flood stage occurs at 

a higher magnitude discharge with a higher flood recurrence time interval and should be 

delineated using a combination of GIS and field methods.
USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017. 7

Specific substrate, biotic, and hydrologic attribute criteria are detailed in the Riparian 

Technical Guide (Merritt et al. In preparation). They are similar to the three parameters—

soils, hydrology, and vegetation—used to delineate jurisdictional wetland boundaries in 

the United States for management under the Clean Water Act (Environmental Laboratory 

1987). Many forest botanists and soil scientists will be familiar with these approaches to 

identifying the riparian extent.

Active Channel Determination

Active channel width is the horizontal distance between the lowest extent of continuous perennial vegetation on either side of the stream minus the width of islands 

(vegetated bars) occurring along the transect. The lowest extent of perennial vegetation 

may correspond to the boundary of the active channel (see Sigafoos 1964) or the scour 

line (see Lisle 1986) or the greenline (see Winward 2000) and is typically lower (closer to 

the channel) than bankfull flow (Leopold and Maddock 1953).

Once the upstream end of a sample reach has been identified, active channel width is 

determined by measuring the distance between the lowest extent of continuous perennial 

vegetation on either side of the stream channel. It is not necessary to be meticulously 

precise in determining the lowest extent of perennial vegetation and representative stream 

width. Active channel width will vary among transects within a single reach, so the active 

channel width is measured where the first transect is established at the upstream end of 

the reach and crosses the channel. Channel width is measured perpendicular to the banks, 

which may be at an angle to the cross-valley transect (fig. 1; fig. A1.1).

Transect Layout for Channel and Vegetation Measurement

The sampling layout along a reach consists of systematically spaced transects that 

extend from riparian edge to riparian edge across the valley bottom (including the stream) 

and are oriented perpendicular to the valley bottom centerline (Appendix 1; Appendix 2). 

Location of the farthest upstream transect is chosen randomly, ensuring that any distance 

downstream from the initial point has an equal probability of being selected for a transect 

location. The distance downstream from the upstream end of the reach is drawn from a 

random number table (distance measured in meters; Appendix 4). Random number tables 

may also be found in statistics textbooks or random numbers may be generated with 

statistical software, spreadsheets, or calculators. Such random-systematic sampling is 

preferred because it assures that any possible transect location along the reach has equal 

probability of being selected, assures independence of samples, reduces sampling bias, 

and satisfies the assumptions of many inferential statistical tests. This allows for reachlevel summarizations of central tendency (mean, mode, and median) and variability of 

biotic and physical characteristics.

A down valley distance of 20 times the active channel width is measured, either in the 

office using GIS, or in the field with tape, or by pacing parallel to the valley orientation. 

When the valley centerline is clipped to the stream segment, it can be used to estimate 

field placement and compass bearing of the first random transect and ensuing transects 

prior to fieldwork. Once in the field, the upstream and downstream extent of the reach 

is temporarily marked with flagging along the lowest extent of perennial vegetation/active channel. This is done along both sides of the stream to form a line perpendicular to 

the valley centerline as determined by compass. The bearing and declination should be 
8 USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017.

recorded. This bearing will change according to the longitudinal change in the valley 

centerline that was delineated in the office.

Once the centerline distance and the desired number of transects are determined, 

the randomly selected starting distance of the first transect is subtracted from the reach 

length. The result is then divided by the desired number of transects minus one to derive 

distance between transects. For narrower valleys, transects should be more numerous 

and spaced more closely (e.g., eight transects). For wider valleys, there should be fewer 

transects that are spaced further apart (e.g., five transects). The number of transects to be 

sampled is based on reach physical heterogeneity and the required sample size to detect 

changes in measured attributes (if they occur). The number of transects should also be 

proportional to the length of the reach. The number of transects and number of points 

along each transect should be sufficient to capture variability in the attributes being 

measured within a reach (Appendix 5); more transects should be established along more 

heterogeneous and/or longer reaches.

Orientation of transects perpendicular to the valley centerline and the active channel 

may be important for some projects. The strongest hydrologic gradient along streams is 

Figure 1—Example of mapping valley trend and transect placements prior to field work. A 

moderate energy confined valley with a narrow-straight stream planform (Basin Creek, 

UT; left panels) and a low-energy floodplain with a meandering stream planform (Mashel 

River, WA; right panels). Yellow lines identify the valley trend longitudinally moving 

down valley along the stream segment of interest. Red lines reflect vegetation transect 

placement based on shifting valley trend and are not to scale.

N

1km0

50m0 50m0

1km0
USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017. 9

often a lateral elevation gradient above the channel. This environmental gradient is correlated with flood frequency and flow duration as well as substrate texture, shear stress, 

depth to water table, and other factors related to fluvial processes and water availability. 

Riparian plant community organization is influenced by moisture/water availability gradients and magnitude and frequency of fluvial disturbance (Auble et al. 2005; Cooper et 

al. 1999), which are functions of distance from and elevation above the channel, as well 

as extra-channel sources of moisture such as local groundwater, seeps, springs, and variability in soil moisture holding capacity.

Transects oriented perpendicular to the channel are useful for evaluating channel crosssectional form over time. Changes in width, depth, and channel shape may provide an 

indication of channel degradation or recovery. Interpreting which processes are driving or 

are driven by vegetation change over time can be more clearly ascertained by measuring 

riparian vegetation along transects that are also linked directly to channel form, hydrologic, and fluvial processes. Once current vegetation patterns across the valley bottom 

have been statistically linked to past and present hydrology, including flood frequency, 

inundation duration, depth to water table, and so on, predictions of shifts in response to 

physical and hydrologic alteration may be possible (Auble et al. 1994, 2005; Merritt et al. 

2010; Rains et al. 2004).

When the valley and active channel are not parallel, place pins (rebar) on either side of 

the active channel, perpendicular to the stream channel, and then extend valley transects 

perpendicular to the valley from these cross-sectional anchor points (figs. 1, 2). For 

general characterization of riparian vegetation in a valley bottom, orientation of transects 

perpendicular to the valley walls/valley trend is advisable. This approach may be particularly useful when a reach is sampled that has multiple beaver ponds, oxbow lakes, 

side channels, or tortuous meanders that would otherwise cause transects to cross when 

overlain on the valley floor.

Transect endpoints may be permanently marked at the edge of the riparian zone on 

both sides of the stream and monumented for future measurement visits. This can be done 

by installing rebar end pins, labeling transects with a naming convention, surveying the 

rebar monuments into a known coordinate system, and recording coordinates and azimuth 

on metal tags or caps that are affixed to the rebar. All information should be added to 

geospatial databases for GIS analysis and archiving. Tagline (e.g., Kevlar, nylon, or steel 

line) and meter tape are extended between transect endpoints horizontally to the ground 

(using a line level).

In particularly complex riparian areas, a distance meter and level may be necessary 

to obtain horizontal distance from river left endpoint (facing downstream) to the point 

or plot being measured. In certain circumstances, sampling across the entire valley is 

impractical or impossible. In these cases, judgment should be made to determine a reasonable alternative to sampling the entire valley bottom. Examples of this might be to 

define a near channel zone of some distance on either side of the stream (e.g., two or four 

times active channel width) to sample, or limiting the work to one side of a stream that 

might be unsafe or uncrossable.

Ideally, transects should extend across the entire riparian area, so that transect endpoints 

define the riparian width. Transect endpoints are identified by the transition of riparian surfaces to surfaces dominated by upland vegetation, a distinct change in elevation, or contact 

with a bedrock valley wall or similar geologic feature. Criteria (rule sets) for determining 
10 USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017.

the transition from riparian to upland (the riparian edge) are presented in Chapter 2 of the 

Riparian Technical Guide (Merritt et al. In preparation). The National Riparian Protocol 

Technical Team developed these guidelines using the aforementioned substrate, biotic, and 

hydrologic criteria for delineating riparian zones. When possible, delineations of riparian 

edge should be conducted by an experienced riparian ecologist or crew leader.

At sites in which a riparian width cannot be determined with the field criteria indicated 

above, riparian width should be sampled according to valley type (table 2). As an absolute minimum, transects should be two to four times active channel width on either side 

of the stream.

Point Layout and Vegetation Sampling Along Transects

The first sampling point is positioned along each transect by pacing or measuring 

to the first distance along the measuring tape or tagline from the river left endpoint. 

Subsequent sample points are taken at equal distances along the transect until the transect 

has been completed (fig. 3).

Figure 2—Example stream reaches showing random-systematic placement of transects for straight 

(e.g., cascade, pool-riffle, step-pool stream), sinuous or meandering, and braided or anastomosing 

(braided with vegetation on braid bars) stream channel forms. Active channel width is determined 

at the upstream extent of the reach. The reach length is defined as 20 times the active channel 

width (shown at top of each frame). The first transect location is determined by selecting a random 

distance between 1 and 10 meters from the upstream origin of the reach. Transect intervals are 

determined by subtracting the random distance from the transect length and dividing the resulting 

length by 4 (5 transects minus 1). For projects that also examine channel change and relationships 

between riparian vegetation and fluvial processes, transects are positioned to be perpendicular with 

both the valley and the stream channel. This is accomplished by inserting a transect perpendicular 

to the stream channel across the stream and 0.5 channel widths on either side of the active channel 

and then angling perpendicular to the valley walls from the channel transect endpoints.
USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017. 11

Vegetation Sampling

Many methods can be used to sample riparian vegetation, including plots, transects, 

belts, and relevés. We examined and considered the pros and cons of each of these methods. However, to maintain objectivity and ease of reproducibility, the vegetation methods 

described in this guide are the plotless line-point intercept (Scott and Reynolds 2007) and 

Table 2—Default minimum sampling width in cases when riparian 

edge cannot be identified. The transect should be centered over the 

centerline of the stream channel. Valley bottom types conform to the 

Hydrogeomorphic Valley Classification (HGVC; Carlson 2009).

Valley bottom type Riparian transect length (m) 

Headwaters 6

High-energy coupled 10

High-energy open 30

Gorge 20

Canyon 20

Moderate-energy confined 20

Moderate-energy unconfined 50

Glacial trough 40

Low-energy floodplain 70

Figure 3—Transects laid out across a valley with points for line-point intercept sampling. Using the linepoint intercept method, vegetation intersecting a vertical line at each sampling point is recorded. 
12 USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017.

point-centered quarter methods (Mitchell 2015). The advantage of using plotless methods 

as opposed to plot-based techniques is that they are more efficient. Mitchell (2015, p.1) 

noted that “plotless methods are faster, require less equipment, and may require fewer 

workers.”

Prior to systematically sampling, the field crew should walk the sample reach, identifying as many species that occur within the larger sampling area as possible, and create a 

species list.

Woody and Herbaceous Vegetation

Presence of all vascular plants is recorded at regular intervals along each transect 

with the line-point intercept (LPI) method. The LPI method uses either a densitometer, 

pin flag (or other sharp pointing device), or laser to aid in determining the presence of 

plant species that occur at points along transects (fig. 4; Appendix 2; Appendix 3). Point 

intercept sampling is very efficient and highly repeatable relative to cover estimates in 

plots/quadrats and line-intercept transects (Dethier et al. 1993). LPI precision is about 

the same among plot and line-intercept sampling, but point sampling takes about 50 to 

60 percent less time (Floyd and Anderson 1987; Heady et al. 1959). However, depending 

on the heterogeneity, fewer species may be recorded with LPI compared to single plot or 

multiple quadrat sampling of vegetation cover (Elzinga et al. 2001). This can be remedied 

by sampling more points, including intercept points at more frequent intervals along transects (Chapter 6, Riparian Technical Guide (Merritt et al. In preparation)).

The densitometer (or laser) is typically positioned at a comfortable height for viewing vegetation and aimed downward for lower vegetation layers and upward for upper 

vegetation layers (as in fig. 4, right frame). For lower canopies, the first species viewed 

(“intercepted” by the laser) is recorded as a “hit” or presence of that species. Vegetation is 

moved out of the way after each hit, exposing higher or lower vegetation strata and new 

species. This may be difficult for overstory vegetation layers. A stadia rod or extended 

painter’s pole may be used to move overstory vegetation layers once they have been 

recorded to expose upper layers, as would be done for visual estimates of foliar cover in 

plot-based methods. When the canopy cannot be moved to expose another layer but the 

laser would otherwise intercept more upward vegetation strata, use judgment to determine canopy layers that should be included in the vertical line of sight. A single species 

Figure 4—Densitometer (left two panels) and laser sampling device (panel 3) for measuring presence of 

vegetation along a vertical line at each point along transects (panel 4).
USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017. 13

can be recorded three times at one point as one “hit” per layer. Record the height of each 

vegetation hit (presence) as one of the following layer class categories (modified from 

Stromberg et al. 2006):

(1) low vegetation (<1.5 m),

(2) mid-story vegetation (1.5–5 m), and

(3) canopy (>5 m).

If an objective of monitoring is to characterize wildlife habitat complexity, thermal 

properties of riparian vegetation, or other objectives associated with canopy layering or 

complexity, additional vertical layer categories may be added. This is repeated until the 

ground cover is reached, and a ground cover category, which includes basal vegetation, 

is recorded (table 3). Only one ground cover type should be recorded for each point 

and should be the first ground cover type encountered after the last live vegetation hit is 

recorded. Maximum height of the vegetation at each point along the line should also be 

recorded. This may be done with a distance meter (range finder), or trigonometric calculations using measurements of distance and angle.

Tree Stem Density, Basal Area, and Condition

Individual tree and shrub density, basal area, frequency, and condition may be assessed 

at points along the transects using the point-centered quarter method (Mitchell 2015; 

Mueller-Dombois and Ellenberg 2002). This is a quick and effective plotless method 

in which the sampling interval and number of points sampled will vary from site to site 

depending on tree (and shrub) density. At a minimum, 20 points are required per reach; 

these points must be located at consistently spaced intervals along the transects. The transect line and a line cast perpendicular to the transect define the four quadrants. Sites with 

high tree density will require more point-centered quarter points than sites with fewer 

trees. At the first point along the transect, the nearest tree in each of four quadrants is 

identified and the distance to that tree from the point is measured (fig. 5). No tree should 

be measured at a distance of half the spacing between points (fig. 5).

Tree stem density, basal area, frequency, importance and condition may be assessed 

by measuring the diameter of stems of each species at breast height (~1.4 m above the 

Table 3—Ground cover types to be recorded at each sample point. The last hit should be classified 

into one of the following ground cover types.

Physical Organic

Bare soil—sand (<0.1mm) (BARE1) Basal vegetation (list plant code on the form) (BAVE)

Bare soil—clay silt (0.1–2mm) (BARE2) Bryophyte—Cryptograms, mosses and lichens (CML)

Gravel (>2–75 mm) (GRAV) Wood (WOOD)

Cobble (75–250 mm) (COBB) Litter: including leaf, needle litter, and other dead 

plant material or animal droppings (LITT)

Boulder (>600 mm) (BOUL)

Bedrock (BEDR)

Water (WATE)
14 USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017.

ground). Diameter tapes or calipers may be used to measure trunk and stem diameters. 

Basal area, stem density, and frequency by species calculations are described in MuellerDombois and Ellenberg (2002).

Tree health can be assessed visually through an evaluation of canopy condition compared to estimated full canopy—hereafter, vigor class (table 4). Water stress, disease, 

fire, insect infestation, shading, competition, browsing, nutrient deficiency, or soil toxicity 

may lead to leaf wilting, leaf discoloration or damage, partial or complete leaf death, and 

branch dieback (Larcher 2003). Vigor class should be recorded for each tree or shrub that 

is measured in each of four quadrants using the point-centered quarter method.

Potential canopy should be estimated as a visual determination of percentage of live 

canopy relative to potential crown volume (Scott et al. 1999) for all woody individuals. 

The proportion of a tree’s potential canopy, also called canopy vigor, is estimated by visualizing a full canopy as defined by branching patterns, and then estimating and recording the 

percentage of that entire area that is foliated (fig. 6). The condition (vigor) of that canopy is 

then considered using table 4 and a vigor class assigned at a precision of +/–5 percent.

Crown dieback has been associated with increased mortality risk in riparian trees 

(Scott et al. 1999; Tyree et al. 1994). Percent of potential canopy can be used to assess 

Figure 5—Point-centered quarter frame (top panel) and four quadrants for sampling tree density, 

basal area, and canopy condition. The layout of the frame at vegetation sampling points (solid 

circles) along transects varies as a function of tree (open circles) density. The nearest tree in 

each quadrant is identified to species, the stem diameter at breast height is measured, and 

vigor class identified. Sampling points must be at equal intervals along the transect for a site. 

Sampling points along the transect must be far enough apart that the same tree is not sampled 

in two adjacent sampling points. Point-centered quarter sampling points at each of the filled 

circles in the figure would have resulted in double sampling some trees, so the sampling points 

were taken at every other point. Lower frame reproduced from Mitchell (2007).

1

2

3 4 1 2

4 3

1 2

4 3
USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017. 15

damage caused by water stress associated with leaf death and abscission, water stress 

and cavitation, branch die back, disease, insect infestation, herbivory, branch fall, fire, 

and other causes (Scott et al. 1999). If possible, the cause of diminished vigor should be 

recorded: WS, water stress; PD, pathogens or disease; MD, mechanical damage such as 

wind, falling branches, or human canopy removal; I, insects; or UK, unknown/other.

Plant Specimen Collection

Specimens should be collected for all unknown species that are recorded at points 

in the LPI samples. If fewer than 20 individuals are present at a site, do not collect the 

plant, as it may be locally rare. Instead, describe the plant, the setting in which it occurs, 

and take a photograph. Also, be mindful of any rare local and regionally rare species that 

should not be collected under any circumstances.

The entire plant (including roots, flowers, fruits, and seeds) should be collected and 

pressed in a plant press for herbaceous species. Branches, leaves, flowers and fruits of 

woody species should be collected when possible. Note the habit of each species (e.g., 

caespitose/clumped, rhizomatous, annual, and perennial). Labels should be attached 

to the collection so identification can be traced back to the specific unknown on the 

field data form. Guidelines for the collection, preparation, and preservation of plant 

specimens are available online (https://www.amnh.org/explore/curriculum-collections/

biodiversity-counts/plant-identification/how-to-press-and-preserve-plants/, and others). 

An experienced botanist should identify unknown specimens.

Physical Feature Measurement

Geomorphic Classification of Fluvial Surfaces

Transects are walked end to end to determine obvious breaks in geomorphic surfaces, 

and distances of these breaks from river left endpoint are recorded. Surfaces along the 

transect should be classified as active channel, mid channel bar, lateral bar, island, bank, 

floodplain I, floodplain II...floodplain n, terrace I, terrace II... terrace n, colluvial surface, 

or transitional (Knighton 1998; fig. 7). Not all fluvial features are expected to be found 

along a particular transect or reach. The active channel is the length between the lowest extent of riparian vegetation on either side of the channel minus islands. Bars are 

Table 4—Categories of vigor (canopy condition) for trees. Assessed only for trees measured using the 

point centered quarter method. Leaf stress may be caused by water stress, disease, insects, or fire.

Vigor Criteria for assessing condition

Critically stressed Major leaf death and or branch die back (>50% of canopy volume 

affected)

Significantly stressed Prominent leaf death and or branch die back (21–50% of canopy 

volume affected)

Stressed Minimal leaf death and or branch die back (11–20% of canopy 

volume affected)

Mildly stressed Little or no sign of leaf stress (between 5%–10% of canopy affected)

Vigorous No sign of leaf stress/very healthy looking canopy (<5% of canopy 

affected)
16 USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017.

typically bare depositional features, which may be partially vegetated, within the active 

channel and at an elevation above water stage when the active channel is full. Islands 

are vegetated bars (use same ecoregion-specific percent cover criteria as for determining 

lowest extent of perennial vegetation; Chapter 2 Riparian Technical Guide, (Merritt et al. 

In preparation)). Banks are the first obvious break in topography along channel margins. 

Channel shelves are seasonally inundated surfaces just above the bank but not extensive 

enough to be considered floodplain.

Floodplains are gradually sloping depositional surfaces that are inundated fairly frequently (1–5 year recurrence intervals). Terraces are abandoned former floodplains that 

are rarely inundated. Floodplain I, floodplain II, etc., and terrace I, terrace II, etc., may 

be distinguished from one another by an obvious break in topography (transition; fig. 7). 

Colluvial surfaces (e.g., talus slopes, colluvial fans) may be dominant along streams in 

Figure 6—Estimating percent potential canopy and placing canopies into condition scale. Percent 

potential canopy is estimated by visualizing a full canopy as defined by branching patterns 

(dotted line), and then estimating and recording the percentage of that entire area that is 

foliated. Individuals are (a) mildly stressed, (b) significantly stressed, (c) significantly stressed, 

and (d) critically stressed. If possible, the cause of diminished vigor should be recorded: WS—

water stress, PD—pathogens or disease, MD—mechanical damage (such as wind, falling 

branches, or human canopy removal), I—insects, or UK—unknown/other.

(a) (b)

(c) (d)
USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017. 17

confined canyons and mountainous headwaters, and they may consist of surfaces in the 

riparian area that were deposited from side slopes. More detailed classification of fluvial 

features may be desired in some studies. Examples of subclasses of floodplain and bank 

and channel features are provided in table 5.

Active Channel Width

Active channel width should be measured at intervals of one channel width from the 

upstream to downstream ends of the reach (10–20 points along reach). Active channel 

width is the horizontal distance perpendicular to the channel centerline between the lowest extent of perennial vegetation on either side of the stream.

Channel Cross-Sections

When possible, each transect is surveyed as a cross-section of the bed, bank, and 

floodplain landform elevations with a rod and level, total station, laser level, or Real 

Time Kinematic (RTK) satellite-based positioning systems from the permanent marker 

on river left riparian edge to the permanent marker on river right (rebar installed at the 

edge of the riparian zone). If rod and level or other survey tools are not available, use 

of a stadia rod to measure distance to the ground surface from a tight, leveled tag line is 

acceptable but not preferred. Another acceptable method of surveying a cross section is to 

use a hand level and stadia rod (https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/

nrcs141p2_023906.pdf). Between surveyed vegetation points, the distance along the 

tape and elevation are recorded at every major break in topography following the 

guidelines of Harrelson et al. (1994). Record the start and stop distance of each of the 

classified fluvial features along the cross section. Along each transect, position of active 

channel boundaries, lowest extent of perennial vegetation on islands, and water’s edge 

Figure 7—Idealized channel cross-sections showing active channel, islands and bars, channel 

shelf, floodplains, terraces, and transitions. Meandering or straight stream in top frame; 

braided stream in lower frame. Islands are in channel features that are vegetated; bars are 

non-vegetated to partially vegetated and part of the active channel. Active channel in the lower 

frame—a braided channel—is the sum of the three active channels.
18 USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017.

should be surveyed. The active channel should be surveyed perpendicular to the channel 

orientation.

Reach Longitudinal Profile

Longitudinal profiles of the bed and water surface of the entire reach are surveyed 

along the channel centerline (refer to Harrelson et al. 1994). Points along the thalweg, 

defined as the deepest part of the channel, are measured at intervals of one channel width 

through the entire reach in addition to points at major breaks in bed profile. The longitudinal profile may be plotted in the field using graph paper or spreadsheet software to 

assure that the reach is uniform with no major breaks in slope.

In cases where surveying cross-sections is impractical or impossible for field crews, 

active channel width should be recorded at each transect through the reach. Some streams 

may present difficulties in taking many of the measurements outlined above. Beaver 

ponds, braiding, multiple channels, or natural lakes create complexities in transect layout. 

Keeping the transect perpendicular to the outer most extent of perennial vegetation is 

advised. Suggestions for such cases are given in Appendix 6.

Data Entry, Quality Control and Assurance, 

and Analysis Techniques

Data entry, quality control and assurance, and data summary and analysis techniques 

are detailed in Chapter 8 of the Riparian Technical Guide, (Merritt et al. In preparation). Additional information on analysis may be found in Mueller-Dombois and 

Table 5—Floodplain, channel, and bank features that should be noted as an attribute of vegetation 

sampling points along each transect.

Primary category Secondary category

Channel features

Gravel or sand bar on margin of the active channel

Gravel or sand bar in the active channel

Active channel (includes flowing water and area scoured by flowing 

water)

Island (vegetated or not; includes mid-channel vegetated bars or log 

jams)

Gravel or sand deposit next to stream, which appears to be outside the 

active channel 

Bank features

Channel shelf—transition from aquatic to terrestrial (includes 

streambank)

Steep cutbank

Hillslope (toeslope, midslope, or upper slope)

Floodplain features

Depression or abandoned channel

Backwater slough

Oxbow lake

Beaver pond

Outer edge of riparian area (e.g., inactive terraces with transitional 

riparian/upland vegetation)
USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017. 19

Ellenberg (2002) and Elzinga et al. (2001). This section only briefly introduces a range 

of analytical options.

Having taken the core set of measurements outlined above, many site attributes 

may be quantitatively summarized, including: species composition, richness and 

biodiversity, non-native species abundance, proportions of various plant functional 

groups, frequency/abundance of individual species, total basal area of trees, density 

and size-class structure of trees by species, vertical structure of vegetation, habitat 

heterogeneity, channel form, channel width to depth ratio, channel gradient, etc. 

These measures can be used to track changes in important site attributes over time 

or to compare multiple sites to one another. Reaches along a segment may be used to 

track large-scale changes in a stream segment over time. Sites may be evaluated and 

compared using a variety of metrics and summary statistics (Riparian Technical Guide, 

Chapter 6; Merritt et al. In preparation).

In addition to the data provided by the core protocol, the basic framework may 

be augmented to meet specific study objectives. Table A7.1 in Appendix 7 provides 

examples of attributes that should be added to the core protocol for changes to riparian 

areas that involve: (1) hydrologic alteration, (2) physical changes to channels, or (3) 

vegetation removal. The hydrologic alteration add-on is recommended for projects that 

aim to document vegetation and channel changes due to altered surface, soil, and/or 

groundwater availability. Dam-caused flow alterations, water diversions, groundwater 

pumping, climate change, land-use change causing shifts in snowmelt or runoff patterns, and other causes of altered water availability and seasonal distributions of flows 

can be assessed using the hydrological alteration add-ons to the core protocol.

Adding physical alteration metrics to the core protocol is appropriate for measuring 

the effects of altered sediment delivery to the valley bottom or stream channel (increases, decreases, or changes in sediment properties) or other causes of direct alteration to 

channel morphology. Outdoor recreational use, wildlife or livestock impacts to streambanks, mechanical alteration from machinery, and other direct impacts to channels can 

be quantified using the physical alteration add-ons to the core protocol.

Finally, questions regarding livestock and wildlife grazing and/or browsing, riparian 

forestry practices, mowing or hay cutting, agriculture, wildfire, or any other activities 

that physically remove vegetation biomass can be addressed through the vegetation 

disturbance add-ons to the core protocol. Regardless of the application to which the 

riparian protocol is applied, it is recommended that the core attributes (Appendix 7) be 

measured and tailored to project objectives.

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USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017. 21

Mitchell, K. 2015. Quantitative analysis by the point-centered quarter method. Geneva, NY: 

Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Department of Mathematics and Computer Science. 

https://arxiv.org/find/all/1/all:+AND+method+AND+quarter+AND+EXACT+point_centered+

AND+THE+and+by+AND+quantitative+analysis/0/1/0/all/0/1.

Montgomery, D.R.; Buffington, J.M. 1997. Channel-reach morphology in mountain drainage 

basins. Geological Society of America Bulletin. 109: 596–611.

Mueller-Dombois, D.; Ellenberg, H. 2002. Aims and methods of vegetation ecology. Caldwell, NJ: 

The Blackburn Press. 547 p.

Nagel, D.E.; Buffington, J.M.; Parkes, S.L.; [et al.]. 2014. A landscape scale valley confinement 

algorithm: Delineating unconfined valley bottoms for geomorphic, aquatic, and riparian 

applications. Gen. Tech. Rep. RMRS-GTR-321. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station. 42 p.

Peck, D.V.; Lazorchak, J.M.; Klemm, D.J., eds. 2003. Environmental monitoring and assessment 

program—Surface waters: Western pilot study field operations manual for wadeable streams. , 

Washington, DC: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, 

National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory [and] National Exposure 

Research Laboratory. 241 p.

Platts, W.S.; Armour, C.; Booth, G.D.; [et al.]. 1987. Methods for evaluating riparian habitats 

with applications to management. Gen. Tech. Rep. INT-221. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, Forest Service, Intermountain Research Station.

Poole, G.C.; Frissell, C.A.; Ralph, S.C. 1997. In-stream habitat unit classification: Inadequacies 

for monitoring and some consequences for management. Journal of the American Water 

Resources Association. 33: 879–896.

Rains, M.C.; Mount, J.E.; Larsen, E.W. 2004. Simulated changes in shallow groundwater and 

vegetation distributions under different reservoir operations scenarios. Ecological Applications. 

14: 192–207.

Ries, K.G., III; Steeves, P.A.; Coles, J.D.; [et al.]. 2004. StreamStats: A U.S. Geological Survey 

web application for stream information. USGS Fact Sheet FS 2004-3115. Washington, 

DC: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey. 4 p. https://pubs.usgs.gov/

fs/2004/3115/pdf/fs200443115.pdf.

Scott, M.L.; Shafroth, P.B.; Auble, G.T. 1999. Response of riparian cottonwoods to alluvial water 

table declines. Environmental Management. 23: 347–358.

Scott, M.L.; Reynolds, E.W. 2007. Field-based evaluations of sampling techniques to support 

long-term monitoring of riparian ecosystems along wadeable streams on the Colorado 

Plateau. Open File Report 2007-1266. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. 

Geological Survey. 57 p.

Sigafoos, R.S. 1964. Botanical evidence of floods and floodplain deposition. Professional Paper 

485-A. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey. 44 p.

Stromberg, J.C.; Lite, S.J.; Rychener, T.J.; [et al.]. 2006. Status of the riparian ecosystem in 

the upper San Pedro River, Arizona: Application of an assessment model. Environmental 

Monitoring and Assessment. 115: 145–173.

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of riparian cottonwoods in Alberta: A possible factor in the decline of the ecosystem? Tree 

Physiology. 14: 455–466.

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field guide: Inventory methods for project design and analysis. Gen. Tech. Rep. WO-86b. 

Washington, DC: US. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. 131 p.

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RMRS-GTR-47. Ogden, UT: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain 

Research Station. 49 p.
22 USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017.
USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017. 23

Appendix 1—Overview of Valley Determination 

and Reach Location Workflow to Guide Field 

Sampling

Valley Assessment and Reach Location

This protocol includes additional GIS layers to illustrate valley bottom mapping, valley trend (centerline) identification, and transect placement on each of the representative 

HGVC channel types. These are available as a part of the National Riparian Protocol 

group at https://usfs.maps.arcgis.com/home/index.html.

Table A1.1—Valley assessment and reach location.

Task 1: Identify valley bottom extent, type, and trend for overlaying sampling design

Step Description Reference

1

Identify the valley extent using GIS data: topography, valley bottom mapping 

software, hydrogeomorphic valley class outputs (HGVC), or other valley class 

and size information.

pg. 3

2

Identify the valley trend in GIS and overlay a valley centerline over the stream 

segment of interest. This centerline should follow the valley center and be 

parallel to the valley margins.

pgs. 4–5

3

Use GIS to overlay perpendicular transects over the centerline at each reach 

within a stream segment. Identify segments and reaches with exceptions 

(beaver ponds, oxbows, etc.) Save transect coordinates and transect heading for 

location in the field.

pgs. 4–5

4

Locate transect ends and survey in the field locations, which may differ from 

those identified in the office. Save transect endpoint coordinates for attribution 

within GIS.

pgs. 6–7
24 USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017.

Figure A1.1— Examples of valley trendlines mapped using GIS (yellow lines) and transect layout 

(red lines) based on valley trend and channel orientation.

N
USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017. 25

Appendix 2—Field Sampling at a Glance

Table A2.1—Reach vegetation sampling.

Task 1: Measure presence of woody and herbaceous vegetation

Step Description Reference

1

Starting from a random point along the transect, record presence of woody and 

herbaceous vegetation at regular intervals. To measure vegetation, aim the densitometer or 

laser upwards or downwards as appropriate. Record the first species viewed or “hit” with 

the laser. Move this layer of vegetation out of the way and continue recording “hits” until 

ground cover or the limit of upper canopy is reached.

pgs. 7–10

2

If data on vertical vegetation structure are required, record the height of the vegetation 

as one of the following categories: Low Vegetation (<1 m), Mid-story Vegetation (1–5 m), 

Canopy (>5 m). Note that the presence of a species is recorded only once per height class.

pgs. 11–12

3

Ground cover is recorded only once, following the last vegetation “hit” in the down 

direction that is recorded. Groundcover categories are:

Physical Organic

Bare soil (soil particles <2 mm) Bryophyte

Basal vegetation Wood <10cm

Gravel (2–64 mm) Wood >10cm

Cobble (65–256 mm) Litter: leaf, needle litter, other dead plant material, 

animal scat, etc. Boulder (>256 mm)

Bedrock

Water

pgs. 12–13

Task 2: Measure tree stem density, basal area, and condition

1 Point centered quarter survey transects are established along each transect. pgs. 13–14 

2

For the closest tree within each quarter of the point centered quarter frame, measure the 

diameter at breast height, 1.37 m above the ground. For individuals less than 25 cm tall, 

measure basal diameter.

pgs. 13–14

3

Assess canopy condition of identified trees using the following categories: 

Canopy condition Criteria

Critically stressed Major leaf death and or branch die back (>50% of canopy volume 

affected)

Significantly 

stressed

Prominent leaf death and/or branch die back (21–50% of canopy 

volume affected)

Stressed Minimal leaf death and or branch die back (11–20% of canopy 

volume affected)

Mildly stressed Little or no sign of leaf water stress/no water stress related leaf 

death (5–10% of canopy volume affected)

Vigorous No sign of leaf water stress/very healthy looking canopy (<5% of 

canopy volume affected)

pgs. 

14–15; 

Table 4

4 Assess potential canopy for each tree species. This is estimated as a visual determination of 

the percentage of live canopy relative to crown volume.

pgs. 

13–16, 

Figure 6

Task 3: Plant specimen collection

1

Specimens are collected for all unknown species recorded at points in the LPI samples (see 

guidance on rare species). The entire plant is collected and pressed in a plant press as soon 

as possible. Branches, leaves, flowers, and fruits of woody species should be collected when 

possible. Note the habit of each species (e.g., rhizomatous vs. bunched roots)

pg. 15
26 USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017.

Table A2.2—Channel measurements.

Task 4: Geomorphic classification of fluvial surfaces

Step Description Reference

1 Walk transects from end to end to determine obvious breaks in 

geomorphic surfaces. pg. 15

2

Classify surfaces along transect as active channel, mid channel bar, 

lateral bar, island, bank, floodplain I, floodplain II...floodplain n, terrace 

I, terrace II... terrace n, colluvial surface, or transitional. 

pgs. 

16–17, 

Table 5 

and 

Figure 7

Task 5: Determine active channel width 

1

Measure active channel width at intervals of one channel width from the 

upstream to downstream ends of the reach (10–20 points along reach). 

Active channel width is the horizontal distance between the lowest 

extent of perennial vegetation on either side of the stream.

pg. 17

Task 6: Survey channel cross sections 

1

Survey each transect with a rod and level or total station. Between 

surveyed vegetation points (or plots), record distance along the tape and 

elevation at every major break in topography.

pg. 17

2 Record start and stop distance of each of the classified fluvial features. pgs. 

17–18

3 Along each transect, survey the position of active channel boundaries, 

lowest extent of perennial vegetation on islands, and water’s edge. 

pgs. 

17–18

Task 7: Survey longitudinal profile of reach 

1 Survey the longitudinal profiles of the bed and water surface of the entire 

reach along the channel centerline. pg. 18

2

Measure points along the thalweg at intervals of one channel width 

through the entire reach in addition to points at major breaks in bed 

profile.

pg. 18

3 Plot longitudinal profile in the field to assure that the reach is uniform 

(no major breaks in slope along the reach). pg. 18
USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017. 27

Appendix 3—Gear List for Line-point Intercept 

Method

Essential

• Protocol (this document)

• Forms (copies from Appendix 8)

• Clipboard

• Mechanical pencils

• Stakes (“candy canes,” range pins, pin flags)

• Flagging

• Compass

• Measuring tools

□ Kevlar (or rope) tag line

□ Measuring tapes (at least two; 50 m or longer)

□ Measuring staff, 1.5 m

□ Ruler (approximately 30 cm)

□ Densitometer or Laser Point Sampler

□ Diameter tape (for DBH)

□ Calipers

• Plant collection tools

□ Plant press (with cardboard, newspaper, and felt)

□ Permanent marker

□ Sample bags and plant tags

□ Digging tool

Optional

• Electronic data recorder, if available

• Plant identification tools

□ Local species list

□ Flora, keys, plant ID books, etc.

□ Hand lens (10x or combination lenses)

□ Plant press, newspaper or blotter, permanent marker

• Laser rangefinder or sonic distance meter

• GPS unit

• Camera (spare memory and batteries)

□ Photographic scale

□ Board or card for identifying photo location

• Notebook (waterproof)

• Topographic map of site

• Aerial photograph of site

• Calculator
28 USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017.

Appendix 4—Random Numbers for Determining 

Initial Transect Location

First transect should be x distance downstream from the beginning of the reach.

5 6 1 5 6 7 1 1 3 10 4 10 8 10 7 8 2 7

9 2 6 7 5 3 10 1 10 3 5 3 1 8 8 10 9 3

9 6 7 10 7 8 1 6 8 3 3 2 2 8 7 4 8 4

5 4 5 8 1 5 2 3 3 10 1 8 9 6 8 4 5 7

1 8 4 2 7 2 7 5 8 2 4 7 5 9 2 4 3 8

4 1 5 10 4 7 6 1 3 6 8 7 7 5 4 1 4 9

7 5 5 5 2 7 7 8 5 5 1 6 3 4 2 9 10 9

2 5 8 7 9 9 10 1 2 6 2 5 7 1 1 8 9 8

5 10 10 4 8 7 1 6 4 9 9 9 2 1 6 1 2 6

4 6 5 10 2 6 9 5 6 3 9 8 4 6 4 8 3 9

10 10 7 7 3 5 10 10 4 5 9 4 7 2 9 6 4 7

9 3 9 1 6 4 7 1 3 9 2 7 9 10 8 3 8 10

8 9 3 9 5 3 9 4 9 5 10 7 7 2 2 1 5 8

9 4 8 7 3 2 10 7 6 10 3 4 6 1 3 6 8 7

7 2 4 7 4 7 5 3 6 3 3 7 4 4 1 4 2 2

10 6 5 1 7 9 1 8 8 1 3 5 1 8 3 7 1 3

8 1 4 1 2 1 10 8 9 2 8 3 1 5 7 9 6 4

9 6 6 4 9 6 7 8 7 8 8 5 3 1 7 2 10 6

1 10 5 8 2 1 5 10 3 5 10 7 4 10 4 9 7 8

3 3 1 1 5 3 8 4 1 1 5 9 5 3 6 8 7 4

7 2 9 2 1 1 3 7 6 9 7 6 7 1 10 3 7 4

4 5 3 10 9 2 2 5 9 1 10 2 8 7 10 10 7 2

4 3 8 10 7 2 6 5 4 3 6 7 5 5 8 8 2 10

5 1 2 2 2 8 5 7 3 9 2 6 1 7 6 4 3 7

3 9 6 8 4 2 1 3 4 7 3 7 6 4 3 8 6 8

5 4 6 7 3 2 10 2 9 1 10 2 2 3 1 6 3 6

3 3 2 7 5 9 7 8 6 8 8 10 7 3 7 2 7 1

4 4 2 6 6 5 5 4 4 6 1 3 7 10 6 3 1 8

2 10 4 7 9 1 5 10 9 10 2 2 9 8 8 4 3 3

9 7 3 10 9 5 10 6 8 4 6 1 3 2 9 10 8 8

5 4 1 6 6 3 10 9 1 7 1 1 6 6 1 4 8 3

4 10 5 6 7 6 6 10 4 4 5 3 1 1 9 10 9 2

10 2 8 8 6 5 7 7 7 5 3 8 6 4 10 6 8 9

7 10 3 9 5 3 10 7 4 9 7 2 10 5 7 3 3 9

7 6 4 3 2 1 9 10 10 4 8 6 2 2 1 1 1 1

8 3 5 4 3 6 5 3 4 10 2 1 3 3 2 9 6 4

3 1 2 1 3 4 2 1 4 5 1 1 9 2 5 9 2 6
USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017. 29

Appendix 5—Determination of Number of Points at 

a Site and Along a Transect

Methods for determining necessary sample size for detecting change in a particular 

variable at a given level of confidence are outlined in Elzinga et al. (2001) and Legendre 

and Legendre (1998) and include species accumulation curves, plotting running means of 

variables, and power analysis. If species richness is a variable of interest, a species-area 

curve could be fitted to species data in the plots and an adequate number of plots determined by the asymptote of the curve (fig. A5.1). In a similar way, the mean or variance of 

a variable of interest could be plotted as a function of number of points (fig. A5.1). The 

number of transects may also vary depending on the variables of interest, the objectives 

of the monitoring, and time and resources available.

If the mean and variance of an attribute can be estimated (from other studies or a pilot 

study), the number of plots necessary to estimate the true mean of the attribute at a particular confidence level can be estimated using power analysis (methods outlined in any 

statistics text; examples provided in Platts et al. 1987; also see James-Pirri et al. 2007).

Figure A5.1—Examples of methods for determining adequate numbers of points (or plots) to 

establish at sites based upon different measurement objectives: (a) species accumulation curves 

with arrows indicating asymptote and adequate number of samples to estimate species richness 

along a control and study reach; (b) plot of running mean of a variable of interest (x) indicating that 

8–10 plots are adequate (based on Mueller-Dombois and Ellenberg 2002). 

0 10 20 30 40 50

0 50 100 150 200

Number of plots

Species richness

Control

Treatment I

Treatment II

Number of plots (n)

Mean (x/n)

10

12

14

16

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
30 USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017.

Appendix 6—Special Cases

Some riparian areas are not conducive to the site layout described in the text. For 

beaver ponds, heavily braided or anastomosing streams, and streams without a defined 

channel, it is recommended that the following modified site layout be used.

The reach length could be modified to encompass the area occupied by the special 

case, such as the beaver pond (i.e., the area upstream of a beaver dam that is influenced 

by the dam). It is useful to identify upstream and downstream boundaries of the special 

case if they exist. If there are no such boundaries, then a default reach distance of 100 m 

is recommended. If there are distinct areas of the special case (e.g., beaver pond, zone 

of braided stream) then it is recommended that each zone be sampled separately. For 

example, if there is a repeating pattern of beaver ponds interspersed by defined stream 

segments, it is recommended that each beaver pond be sampled as a distinct special case 

and that the defined stream reach be sampled with the core riparian protocol (unless that 

area is very short relative to the overall length sampled). If the beaver pond area is relatively small (perhaps less than 30 percent of valley length) then the beaver pond could be 

included in a larger reach sampled with the riparian protocol. If there are relatively short 

(perhaps less than 30 percent of valley length) defined stream reaches between beaver 

ponds, those short reaches could be included in the special case sampling.

To sample the special case, identify a straight line down the middle of the valley. 

Establish transects at systematic intervals as described above (based on reach length) 

perpendicular to the line running up and down the valley. Extend each transect from one 

edge of the valley bottom to the other, rather than using a set transect length. These types 

of sites (beaver ponds, braided streams, etc.) will often fill much, if not all, of the valley 

bottom. Therefore, it is desirable to sample the entire area. Collect data as described in 

the Groundwater-Dependent Ecosystems (GDE) technical guide protocol (USDA Forest 

Service 2012). If it is not feasible to sample the entire valley bottom, use a set transect 

length (refer to table 1 in main text).

Springs: Use the GDE protocol, which includes sampling of the spring and 20 m of 

the spring creek. The rest of the spring creek beyond 20 m of the spring could be sufficiently sampled with the core riparian protocol and not as a special case.

Wetlands near streams: Wetlands that are adjacent to streams could be sampled as 

part of the riparian site or independently with the GDE protocol. If there is interest in soil 

characteristics water table dynamics, the GDE protocol is recommended. Below are some 

additional recommendations for deciding which protocol to use.

• Spring or wetland in floodplain: Riparian protocol is recommended. Include as part of a 

riparian site associated with a stream.

• Spring or wetland on terrace/bench or hillslope adjacent to a stream (not in floodplain): 

GDE protocol is recommended.

• Oxbow lake or pond in the floodplain: If relatively small, it could be included in riparian sampling. If relatively large, it should be sampled independently with the GDE 

protocol.

• Oxbow lake or pond on terrace/bench: GDE protocol is recommended.
USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017. 31

Appendix 7—Objective-Based Add-Ons to the Core 

Riparian Protocol

Table A.7.1—Additional monitoring attributes and their relationship to key monitoring questions.

Category Sub-category Attribute to measure Hydrologic 

alteration

Physical 

alteration

Vegetation 

alteration Core

Vegetation

Presence, 

abundance and size

Presence/frequency of 

plant species X X X X

Life form X X X X

Tree size and density X X X X

Channel shading X

Invasive species X

Canopy closure X

Extent (width) of riparian 

area

X X X X

Condition

Leaf stress X X X X

Live crown ratio X

Crown transparency X

Shrub mortality X

Snags and defective trees X

Browse and grazing 

utilization X

Soil and ground 

surface

Ground cover Soil/

subsurface

Bulk density X

Infiltration rate X X

Platy structure X

Soil characteristics X

Root abundance in soil X

Water table level X X

Surface displacement X

Ground cover X X X X

Coarse wood X

Streambank

Bank characteristics

Bank angle X

Overhanging streambanks X

Composition of bank X

Bank disturbance

Tracks/trails on 

streambank X

Bank instability X X

Channel Dimensions of 

channel

Channel longitudinal 

profile X

Channel pattern X

Channel cross-section X X
32 USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017.

Appendix 8—Vegetation Data Field Forms

Riparian	Core	Protocol	Data	Form:	Line	Point	Intercept

Study_________________________Date__________Examiner(s)________________________________________	

Reach______

Transect Distance	

From	Left	

Pin in	

__(unit)

Ground	

Cover

Species

(Height	<1.5m	)

Species

(Height	

1.5	to	5	m)	

Species

(Height

>5	m)

Fluvial

Setting

Ground	Cover: Si:	bare	silt	or	clay,	Sa:	bare	sand,	G:	gravel,	P:	pebble,	C:	cobble,	BL:	boulder,	BR:	

bedrock,	H20:	water,	BV:	basal	vegetation,	BY,	bryophyte	W:	wood,	L:	litter.

Fluvial	Setting:	CH:	channel,	B:	bank,	FP1:	floodplain	1,	FP2:	floodplain	2,	T1:	terrace	1,	T2:	terrace	2,			

i:	Island,	BC: back	channel,	TR:	transition,	UP:	upland. ETC	if	other

Key:
USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017. 33

Riparian	Core	Protocol	Data	Form:	Trees

Study_________________________Date__________Examiner(s)________________________________________	

Reach______

Transect: Distance	From	

Left	Pin	in	

__(unit)

Species Name Tree	Diameter	

___(unit)

Dist.	From	

Quadrat

___(unit)

Canopy	

Condition	

Class to	the	5%

Condition	Class	Key

C:	critically	stressed	(>50%	of	canopy	affected),	SS:	significantly	stressed	(21-50%),															

S:	stressed	(11-20%),	MS:	mildly	stressed	(5-10%),	V:	vigorous	(<5% or	less of	canopy	

affected)

Special	Notation	Codes:							SP:	Sapling,	DT:	Dead	Tree.
34 USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017.

Geomorphic Analysis	of	Transect	Worksheet

Study_________________________Date__________Examiner(s)________________________________________	

Reach______ Transect	#:________

Feature Distance Elevation

Notes:

Geomorphological	Analysis	of	Transect	Worksheet

Study_________________________Date__________Examiner(s)________________________________________	

Reach______ Transect	#:________

Feature Distance Elevation

Notes:
USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017. 35

Index

A

Add-ons 19

-hydrologic alteration 19

-physical alteration 19

-vegetation removal 19

Assumptions 2

-of the NRCP 2

B

Banks 7

Bankfull flow 7

Bars 16

Basal Area 13

C

Channel

-active 16, 17

-shelves 17

Colluvial surfaces 17

Cross-Sections 17

F

Floodplains 17

Fluvial landforms

-active channel 16

-mid channel bar 16

-lateral bar 16

-islands 17

-bank 16

-floodplain I 17

-floodplain II 17

-terrace I 17

-terrace II 17

-transitional 16

Fluvial surfaces 17

-See “fluvial landforms”

G

Geomorphic classification 16
36 USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017.

H

Hydrogeomorphic Valley Classification (HGVC) 3

Hydrologic attributes 7

I

Islands 17

L

Layer class 13

Lateral bar 16

M

Mid channel bar 16

O

Ordinary high water mark 7

P

Point-centered quarter 12

Point Layout 11

R

Reach 1

Riparian area

-biotic attributes 6

-determination 6

-hydrologic attributes 7

-substrate attributes 6

Riparian extent

-see “riparian area” 6

S

Sample size 5

Sample units 5

Scour line 7

Segment 3

Site selection 3

Specimen collection 15
USDA Forest Service RMRS-GTR-367. 2017. 37

Stream

-reach 4

-segment 4

Stem density 13, 14

Substrate attributes 6

T

Terraces 17

Transect 

-endpoints 9

-and riparian width 10

Tree

-basal area 14

-stem density 14

V

Valley

-valley centerline 4

-valley extent 4

-valley type 3

Vegetation sampling 11

-woody and herbaceous 12

Vegetation disturbance 19

W

Woody and herbaceous vegetation 12

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