Result description
The AMBER Rapid Barrier Assessment Tool automates the process of calculating barrier passability scores for multiple fish species based on barrier height, slope and depth. The tool is based on the French ICE (Informations sur la Continuité Ecologique) protocol (Baudoin et al., 2014) and produces barrier passability scores ranging from 0 – 1: 0 (total barrier), 0.33 (high-impact partial barrier), 0.66 (medium impact partial barrier), 1 (low-impact passable barrier). The tool also estimates the hydropower potential (Watts) at the site through a simple assessment of discharge and head drop.
The tool is very simple to use and does not require any specific training. It is supplied with a guide to help users install the software and includes step-by-step instructions of how to assess a barrier and produce passability scores and is available on the AMBER website.
Adaptation to climate change
Oceans, seas and watersAddressing target audiences and expressing needs
- To raise awareness and possibly influence policy
AMBER Rapid Barrier Assessment Tool is expected to provide support to the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030’s aim of restoring at least 25,000km of EU rivers to a free-flowing state.
- EU and Member State Policy-makers
R&D, Technology and Innovation aspects
The AMBER Rapid Barrier Assessment Tool has been used to produce passability scores for hundreds of barriers in Ireland and England.
