Exposed Riverine Sediments Habitat Definition
Exposed riverine sediments (ERS) are mineral deposits (normally sand, gravel, pebble with cobble in this context) in river channels that are exposed during low flows, particularly in the spring and summer. The scouring action of winter floods plays a vital role in producing suitable habitat (namely exposed insolated substrate), by removing vegetation and also finely divided organic matter that would promote the growth of lush material.