Riparian woodland flora in upland rivers of western Greece

Abstract

Although natural riparian woodlands are an important feature that affects the quality of aquatic conditions in streams and rivers, surveying riparian zone flora is rarely implemented in the Mediterranean countries. We developed a rapid assessment method for gathering standardized plot-based woody flora and vegetation data from riparian woodlands. In 2005 we surveyed 218 streamside vegetation plots at 109 sites in upland areas of four major rivers in mainland Greece (Alfios, Acheloos, Arachthos, and Aoos). Here we describe the survey method and provide selected results from its initial implementation. The simplicity and effectiveness of this survey procedure supports the use of rapid site-based biodiversity surveys for riparian zones alongside aquatic status assessments.