Perennial Flow Protocol
This protocol is experimental and has not been finalized by the protocol owner. It can be changed at anytime which can break existing data or cause data loss. Please backup data if using this protocol.
Overview
The Perennial Protocol is a tool for classifying stream reaches as perennial or non-prennial within a defined area of interest. The collected data can be used to inform the planning stages of a restoration project, or identify suitable locations for Low-Tech Process-Based Restoration (LTPBR).
For example, a stream that was historically perennial may now be intermittent due to flow alterations, such as agricultural diversions, or beaver extirpation from the ecosystem. The Perennial Protocol helps identify these streams, providing crucial information for determining where LTPBR is most needed.
Protocol Summary
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | Perennial Flow Protocol |
| Status | Experimental Grade |
| Version | 1.0 |
| XML URL | https://github.com/Riverscapes/RiverscapesXML/blob/master/QRiS/protocols/perennial_protocol.xml |
| Citation | NA |
| Author | Zach Burgert |
Layers & Metrics
- Flow Layers
- Observation Layers
| Layer | Geometry | Metrics | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flow Type | Line | Perennial Stream Length, Proportion Perennial, Non-Perennial Stream Length, Proportion Non-Perennial | flow type classification of stream reaches (i.e., perennial or non-perennial) |
| Layer | Geometry | Metrics | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Observations | Point | NA | observations of flow type and related features at specific locations along stream of interest |
Details
How to Use This Protocol
Users can classify stream reaches as perennial or non-perennial by collecting point observations or digitizing line segments.- Point observations are used to identify specific features related to flow type classification, such as beaver activity, wood accumulation, or anthropogenic alterations. This serves as evidence for classifying a stream as perennial or non-perennial, or describing potential reasons for flow alterations in the system.
- Line segments are used to generate metrics related to the total length & proportion of the user-defined network defined as perennial or non-perennial.
Layer Attributes
- Flow Type
- Observations
| Field Label | Type | Values |
|---|---|---|
| Flow Type | List | |
| Evidence of Beaver Activity | Yes/No | |
| Evidence of Wood Accumulation | Yes/No | |
| Evidence of Anthropogenic Activity | Yes/No |
| Field Label | Type | Values |
|---|---|---|
| Flow Type | List | |
| Notes | Text | Notes about flow type at observation point |
| Photo Path | Text | Path to photo of flow type at observation point (e.g., perennial, non-perennial, unknown) |
Metric Attributes
- Length Metrics
- Proportion Metrics
| Metric ID | Label | Precision | Description | Calculation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
perennial_length | Perennial Stream Length | 2 | Sum of all perennial channel lengths. | Sum (Perennial Stream Length) |
non_perennial_length | Non-Perennial Stream Length | 2 | Sum of all non-perennial channel lengths. | Sum (Non-Perennial Stream Length) |
| Metric ID | Label | Precision | Description | Calculation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
perennial_proportion | Proportion Perennial | 2 | Proportion of total channel length that is perennial. | Sum(Perennial Stream Length) / Total Stream Length |
non_perennial_proportion | Proportion Non-Perennial | 2 | Proportion of total channel length that is non-perennial. | Sum(Non-Perennial Stream Length) / Total Stream Length |