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Qualitative Habitat Evaluation Index(QHEI)- The following is from a paper by Dr. Steve Gordon of the Ohio State University. For the entire paper please click here.The
QHEI index is intended to provide a quantitative evaluation of the qualitative
physical characteristics of a given stream reach. This index is similar to the
biological indices, IBI and ICI and is measured at each site where IBI data is
obtained (Ohio EPA 1989). Again, similar to IBI and ICI, QHEI is composed of six
metrics which take in account variables such as bottom substrate, channel
morphology, riparian cover, and other modifications to the stretch. A QHEI
measurement can have a maximum score of 100. The following is a brief
description of the metrics comprising Ohio EPA's QHEI as outlined by Ohio EPA
(1989). • Substrate - measures two components - substrate
type and substrate quality; takes into account variables like parent material,
embeddedness of cobble, gravel and boulders and silt cover. The maximum score is
20 • Instream Cover - measures instream cover type
and amount. The maximum score is 20 • Channel Morphology - includes channel sinuosity,
development, stability and channelization; indicates the quality of the stream
channel in relation to creation and stability of the macrohabitat. The maximum
score is 20 • Riparian Zone and Bank Erosion - measures
floodplain quality, extent of bank erosion and the width of the riparian zone;
serves as indication of the quality of the riparian buffer and floodplain
vegetation. The maximum score is 10 • Pool and Riffle Quality - component measures
include overall diversity of current velocities, pool depth and morphology and
riffle-run depth, substrate and substrate quality; serves as indication of the
quality of the pool and riffle habitats. The
maximum score is a combined 20 (12 for pool, 8 for riffle) • Map Gradient - calculation of elevation drop through sampling area; accounts for varying influence of gradient with respect to stream size. The maximum score is 10 |
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