The Environment Agency undertakes freshwater and marine biological monitoring in England.
This dataset contains site, sample, metric and taxa information from freshwater river macrophyte (plant) surveys carried out across England from 1980 onwards.
Notes:
- These survey data are stored in an archive more commonly known as BIOSYS.
- This dataset contains Freshwater, River Macrophyte surveys only.
- Pollution Samples are excluded from the dataset.
- The River Macrophyte Nutrient Index and associated indices were updated in 2017 to correct errors discovered in 2016.
- The River Macrophyte Hydraulic Index has not been updated. The field displays the value (which was correct) at the time the record was saved. If taxon values and hierarchies have been updated, since this date, an updated value will not be generated. As this value is used in a historic context it will not be updated in the future. Attribution statement: © Environment Agency copyright and/or database right 2026. All rights reserved.
