AERIAL VIDEOGRAPHY

Aerial videography measures the health of riparian areas using video footage from low-level flights or drones that are flown along lake and wetland shorelines and river or stream banks.* This method was most commonly used between 2005-2015.

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Riparian areas are scored and rated in one of 3 categories:

• Good/Healthy

• Fair/Moderately Impaired

• Poor/Impaired

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Like the Field-based Method**, the area is scored according to the amount of:

• Area covered by any plant species, cattails and bulrushes, and woody plants (and signs of new growth)

• Human alteration via bare ground, plant community alterations, or changes to the physical site (including banks

• Human alteration via bare ground or changes to the physical site (including banks)

• Shoreline or bank stability

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*Note that there may be limitations or restrictions in the use of drones in certain areas. Ensure that you follow all applicable regulations.

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** The similarity of the Aerial Method to the Field-Based Method is because this method was based on Cows and Fish's Field-based Riparian Health Assessment methods.

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