Exposed riverine sediments (ERS) are present in the shoals, bars and spits present in river channels which are periodically exposed during periods of normal or lower than average flow. The sediments range in size from cobbles and boulders to sand and fine silts.
The character, shape, size, location and sediment composition vary greatly, providing significant habitat diversity. This habitat is strongly associated with hydrological disturbance for both the formation of the sediment bars and for impeding vegetation colonisation (Bates et al. 2007). They are important habitats for many invertebrates and especially for beetles (Hammond 1998; Eyre et al. 2001) and flies (Drake et al. 2007).