Assessment of River Health on the Basis of Riparian Plant Diversity——Taking the Baitiao-fu River as an Example

Investigations were made on the riparian plant diversity in the upper reaches, middle reaches and lower reaches of the Baitiao-fu River at different levels for the purpose of estimating river health. Each reach was scored according to the evaluation system which consists of several indexes. The scores of upper,middle and lower reaches were 72.7, 59.1 and 59.3 respectively. The result reflected the riparian plant diversity state of each reach of Baitiao-Fu River directly and accurately. According to the survey and analysis results, management measures and recommendations were proposed for each reach to maintain and promote the plant diversity and river health.