The Morphological Quality Index (MQI)

The Morphological Quality Index is the Italian response to the EU Water Framework Directive. It is also designed to assess habitat quality based on alterations of the morphology of a stream reach from a reference reach of the same type. Unlike the RHS, the MQI has a more intensive pre-fieldwork, remote-sensing phase that divides the river into reaches based on physiographic units, confinement, river planform, and discontinuities. This remote-sensing phase creates the basis for stream-reach to reference-reach comparison. In the field, 28 indicators of the quality of continuity, morphology, and vegetation are assessed.

This survey method produces two metrics that range from zero to one: Morphological Alteration Index (MAI), and Morphological Quality Index (MQI).

MAI = 0 means the system is undisturbed, MAI = 1 means the system is heavily altered.

MQI = 0 means the system is of poor quality, and MQI = 1 means the system is of excellent quality.

An undisturbed, high-quality natural system will have MAI = 0 and MQI = 1.

These metrics are derived from assessment of the following:
  Continuity Morpholoty Vegetation
Geomorphic Functionality
  • Longitudinal Sediment Flux
  • Modern Floodplain
  • Hillslope-River Corridor
  • Bank Retreat
  • Erodible Corridor
  • Bed Configuration
  • Typical Forms & Processes
  • Typical alluvial plain forms
  • Cross Section Variability
  • Bed Structure
  • In-channel large woody debris (LWD)
  • Functional Vegetation Width
  • Functional Vegetation Length
Artificiality
  • Upstream Flow or Sediment Alteration
  • Flow or Sediment Alteration within Reach
  • Crossing Structures
  • Bank Protections
  • Artificial Levees
  • Change of River Course
  • Bed Stabilizing Structures
  • Sediment Removal
  • Wood Removal
  • Vegetation Management
Channel Adjustments
  • Bed Level Adjustment
  • Channel Pattern Adjustment
  • Channel Width Adjustment
  

 

References: 

Rinaldi, M., N. Surian, F. Comiti, and M. Bussettini. 2012. Guidebook for the evaluation of stream morphological conditions by the Morphological Quality Index (MQI)., 90

Rinaldi, M., N. Surian, F. Comiti, and M. Bussettini. 2012. Illustrated guide to the answers – Guidebook for the  evaluation of stream morphological conditions by the Morphological Quality Index (MQI)., 66

Rinaldi, M., N. Surian, F. Comiti, and M. Bussettini. 2012. A method for the assessment and analysis of the hydromorphological condition of Italian streams: The Morphological Quality Index (MQI). geomorph