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River Habitat Survey (RHS) data 1998 [Countryside Survey]

Publisher
Environmental Information Data Centre
Updated
30 July 2026
Topic
Not set
Licence
Not set

Summary

River Habitat Survey (RHS) data from rivers and streams surveyed in 1998 as part of the Countryside Survey project. River Habitat Survey (RHS) is an assessment of the physical structure of freshwater streams and rivers based on a standard 500m length sample unit. It does not require specialist geomorphological or botanical expertise but consistent recognition of features included on the form is essential. To ensure consistency of recording all surveyors must be accredited, and recording follows standard protocols. Data were collected under the Countryside Survey long term monitoring project managed by the Centre for Ecology & Hydrology. The Countryside Survey is a unique study or 'audit' of the natural resources of the UK's countryside. The sample sites are chosen from a stratified random sample, based on a 15 by 15 km grid of GB. Headwater stream surveys have been carried out in 1990, 1998 and 2007 with repeated visits to the majority of sites. The countryside is sampled and surveyed using rigorous scientific methods, allowing us to compare new results with those from previous surveys. In this way we can detect the gradual and subtle changes that occur in the UK's countryside over time. In addition to headwater stream data, soil data, habitat areas, vegetation species data and linear habitat data are also gathered by Countryside Survey. Full details about this dataset can be found at https://doi.org/10.5285/2b285f04-ffd1-4da4-a742-0306e7a8e40c

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Data links

Link Format Preview Updated
Supporting information ZIP – 30/7/2026
Download the data – 30/7/2026

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Additional information

Source Metadata
XML, HTML
Date added
24 July 2026
Harvest GUID
2b285f04-ffd1-4da4-a742-0306e7a8e40c
Extent (Latitude)
60.861° to 49.864°
Extent (Longitude)
-8.648° to 1.768°
Dataset reference date (publication)
2016-11-21
Dataset reference date (creation)
1998-11-01
Frequency of update
notPlanned
Access constraints
If you reuse this data, you should cite: Furse, M.T., Davy-Bowker, J., Dawson, F.H., Gunn, R.J.M., Blackburn, J.H., Gunn, I.M., Winder, J.M., Scarlett, P.M., Gravelle, M., Kneebone, N., Nesbitt, I., Amarillo, M., Brereton, C., Cannan, C., Collett, G., Collier, D., Cooper, G., Dent, M., Fairfax, C.M., Hardie, D., Henville, P., Hilton, C., James, B., Moorhouse, C., Randle, Z., Shirley, C., Small, S.R., Vowles, K.E., Clarke, R.T., Watkins, J.W. (2016). River Habitat Survey (RHS) data 1998 [Countryside Survey]. NERC Environmental Information Data Centre https://doi.org/10.5285/2b285f04-ffd1-4da4-a742-0306e7a8e40c
Responsible party
(author, pointOfContact, publisher, custodian)
ISO 19139 resource type
dataset
Metadata language
eng

Contact

enquiries@ceh.ac.uk

foi@ceh.ac.uk

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