Assessment of the impact of bridge infrastructure on the Ner River environment using the River Habitat Survey (RHS) method

Barbara Michalska; Jakub Jarosz

doi:10.7409/rabdim.025.012

Published: 2025-08-11

Vol. 24 No. 3 (2025)

Assessment of the impact of bridge infrastructure on the Ner River environment using the River Habitat Survey (RHS) method

Barbara Michalska

, Jakub Jarosz

Section: Articles

https://doi.org/10.7409/rabdim.025.012

Abstract

The article examines the application of the River Habitat Survey method to characterize a section of the Ner River. The application of the RHS methodology for river assessments complies with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive, particularly in defining reference conditions, planning catchment management measures, implementing flood protection and restoration strategies. The hydromorphological condition of a river is determined by the presence and proportion of natural and anthropogenic elements, where a predominance of natural features indicates a higher ecological status of the watercourse. Conversely, a dominance of anthropogenic structures reflects significant human-induced alterations to the river environment. This study focuses on the analysis of the Ner River section, with a particular emphasis on evaluating the impact of an anthropogenic structure, the bridge in Puczniew, on the natural environment and demonstrated that the RHS method accurately describes the impact of the bridge on the river environment.

Keywords:

bridge, Environment, RHS, river

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Michalska, B., & Jarosz, J. (2025). Assessment of the impact of bridge infrastructure on the Ner River environment using the River Habitat Survey (RHS) method. Roads and Bridges – Drogi I Mosty, 24(3), 235–244. https://doi.org/10.7409/rabdim.025.012

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Barbara Michalska

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4476-7492

Affiliation:

Lodz University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environmental Engineering, 6 Politechniki St., 93-590 Łódź Poland

Jakub Jarosz

jakub.jarosz@p.lodz.pl
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6720-3572

Affiliation:

Lodz University of Technology, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Environmental Engineering, 6 Politechniki St., 93-590 Łódź Poland

Assessment of the impact of bridge infrastructure on the Ner River environment using the River Habitat Survey (RHS) method

Abstract

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Barbara Michalska

Jakub Jarosz