2.2. Identification of Survey Sites and Transects
This study was extensive and highly structured. A field-based approach
was used to collect data in 274 transects, and field visits were carried
out in the riparian zones of rural, rural–urban transitional, and urban
areas of the TGDR during 2019. Researchers collaborated with the local
field staff who worked within the TGDR territory and were familiar with
the entire region. All sample sites and transects were identified with
the assistance of the field staff representative. The qualitative visual
assessment method was chosen for rapid assessment of the TGDR riparian
zones. A total of 40 indicators were used in this study (27 RHIs, and 13
pressure indicators; Figure 4). Considering the nature of all these
indicators, RHIs were divided into five groups: habitat (H), plant cover
(PC), regeneration (R), erosion (Er), and exotics (Ex). All pressure
indicators were treated collectively in one index. A standard transect
(100 m long and 20 m wide) was used parallel to the river to measure the
extent of each RHI and pressure indicator as followed by other
researchers (see Arif et al., 2021; Johansen et al., 2007). Because of
the irregular width of the TGDR riparian zone, three points were used in
all transects to obtain accurate measurements.
[Figure 4 to be inserted
about here]