Changes in waterside vegetation following two-stage channel construction on a small rural clay river

(1) Changes in the distribution of plant species growing along the river bank after the excavation of flood berms to create a two-stage channel were monitored on the River Roding near Abridge, Essex, during 1980-82. (2) Species growing between dry-weather water level and adjacent flood berm were recorded every 0.4 m along the bank. (3) Waterside vegetation was not adversely affected by berm excavation where the original lowermost part of bank remained undisturbed. Within 2 years mean waterside species frequency and the mean number of waterside species per 30 m banklength were significantly greater (P 0.5 m) berms because reed growth is comparatively less along the associated remnant bank.