Computer models for quantifying the hydro-ecology of British rivers

In recent years, the use of models and scoring surveys for assessing the environmental impacts associated with river-engineering works has increased. This paper discusses the circumstances in which modelling may be needed, and gives details of some of the models currently in use and under development. River corridor surveys, HABSCORE, RIVPACS (River Invertebrate Prediction and Classification System), SERCON (System for Evaluating Rivers for Conservation) and QUASAR (Quality Simulation Along Rivers) are described, and more detailed information is given on the IFIM (Instream Flow Incremental Methodology using PHABSIM), the physical habitat simulation approach being tested for the National Rivers Authority and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food