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Document 32018D0229

Commission Decision (EU) 2018/229 of 12 February 2018 establishing, pursuant to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, the values of the Member State monitoring system classifications as a result of the intercalibration exercise and repealing Commission Decision 2013/480/EU (notified under document C(2018) 696)Text with EEA relevance.

C/2018/0696

OJ L 47, 20.2.2018, p. 1–91 (BG, ES, CS, DA, DE, ET, EL, EN, FR, HR, IT, LV, LT, HU, MT, NL, PL, PT, RO, SK, SL, FI, SV)

Legal status of the document No longer in force, Date of end of validity: 07/03/2024; Repealed by 32024D0721 The end of validity date is based on the date of publication of the repealing act taking effect on the date of its notification. The repealing act was notified but the date of notification is not available on EUR-Lex – the date of publication is used instead.

ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2018/229/oj

20.2.2018   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 47/1


COMMISSION DECISION (EU) 2018/229

of 12 February 2018

establishing, pursuant to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, the values of the Member State monitoring system classifications as a result of the intercalibration exercise and repealing Commission Decision 2013/480/EU

(notified under document C(2018) 696)

(Text with EEA relevance)

THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

Having regard to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (1), and in particular Section 1.4.1(ix) of Annex V thereto,

Whereas:

(1)

Directive 2000/60/EC requires the Member States to protect enhance and restore all bodies of surface waters with the aim of achieving good ecological and chemical status. It furthermore requires Member States to protect and enhance all artificial and heavily modified bodies of water, with the aim of achieving good ecological potential and good chemical status.

(2)

In order to define one of the main environmental objectives of Directive 2000/60/EC, namely good ecological status, that Directive provides for a process to ensure the comparability between the biological monitoring results of Member States and their monitoring system classifications. Member States’ biological monitoring results and their monitoring system classifications are to be compared through an intercalibration network comprised of monitoring sites in each Member State and in each ecoregion of the Union. Directive 2000/60/EC requires the Member States to collect, as appropriate, the necessary information for the sites included in the intercalibration network, in order to enable the assessment of the consistency of the national monitoring system classifications with the normative definitions of Section 1.2 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC. In order to carry out the intercalibration exercise Member States are organised in Geographical Intercalibration Groups, consisting of Member States sharing particular surface water body types, as defined in Section 2 of the Annex to Commission Decision 2005/646/EC (2).

(3)

In accordance with Directive 2000/60/EC the intercalibration exercise is to be carried out at biological element level, comparing the classification results of the national monitoring system for each biological element and for each common surface water body type among Member States and ensuring the consistency of the results with the normative definitions set out in Section 1.2 of Annex V to that Directive.

(4)

The Commission has facilitated three phases of the intercalibration exercise through the Joint Research Centre. Under the Water Framework Directive Common Implementation Strategy four guidance documents (No 6 (3), 14 (two versions (4)) and 30 (5)) were prepared to facilitate the intercalibration process. They provide an overview of the key principles of the intercalibration process and the options for carrying out the exercise including timescales, and reporting requirements. They also provide a procedure to fit new or revised national classification methods to the harmonised definition of good ecological status.

(5)

By 2007 the Commission had received intercalibration results for a number of biological quality elements. They were included in Commission Decision 2008/915/EC (6), which sets out the values of the boundaries between classes that Member States were to use in their national monitoring system classifications. The results of the first phase of the intercalibration exercise were incomplete, in so far as not all biological quality elements were covered. It was necessary however to adopt the available results of the intercalibration exercise to inform the development of the first river basin programme of measures and the first river basin management plans in accordance with Articles 11 and 13 of Directive 2000/60/EC.

(6)

In order to close the gaps and improve the comparability of the intercalibration results in time for the second river basin management plans due in 2015, the Commission initiated a second phase of the intercalibration exercise. The results of this exercise were included in Commission Decision 2013/480/EU (7). The results revealed that in some cases intercalibration was only partially achieved. There were also Geographical Intercalibration Groups and biological quality elements for which there were no intercalibration results for inclusion in that Decision.

(7)

A third phase of the intercalibration exercise was therefore necessary in order to close these gaps and improve the comparability of the intercalibration results in time for the third river basin management plans due in 2021. The results of this third phase of the intercalibration exercise are included in the Annex to this Decision.

(8)

The Annex to this Decision sets out the results of the intercalibration exercise. For the results in Part 1 of the Annex all steps of the intercalibration process set out in the guidance documents have been fully completed. Part 2 of the Annex contains the national classification methods and their respective boundary values for which it has not been technically feasible to complete the comparability assessment due to a lack of common types, different pressures addressed or different assessment concepts. Since the results set out in Part 1 and Part 2 of the Annex are consistent with the normative definitions set out in Section 1.2 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC, the respective boundary values should be used in Member States monitoring systems classifications.

(9)

Where water bodies corresponding to the intercalibrated types are designated as artificial or heavily modified water bodies in accordance with Article 4(3) of Directive 2000/60/EC, Member States should be allowed to use the results presented in the Annex to this Decision to derive their good ecological potential, taking into account their physical modifications and their associated water use in accordance with the normative definitions in point 1.2.5 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC.

(10)

Member States should apply the results of the intercalibration exercise to their national classification systems in order to set the boundaries between high and good status and between good and moderate status for all their national types.

(11)

The information that is made available through the establishment of the monitoring programmes provided for in Article 8 of Directive 2000/60/EC and the review and update of the characteristics of river basin districts provided for in Article 5 of that Directive could bring new evidence that may lead to the adaptation to scientific and technical progress of the Member States’ monitoring and classification systems. Member States may also develop new national classification methods covering biological quality elements or sub biological quality elements and respective boundary values for which the consistency with the normative definitions set out in Section 1.2 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC should be assessed. These matters may lead to a review of the results of the intercalibration exercise to close gaps and improve the quality and comparability of the intercalibration results which in turn may warrant an update of the results contained in the Annex to this Decision.

(12)

Decision 2013/480/EU should therefore be repealed and replaced accordingly.

(13)

The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee referred to in Article 21(1) of Directive 2000/60/EC,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

1.   For the purposes of Section 1.4.1(iii) of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC, Member States shall use in their monitoring systems classification the values of the boundaries between classes that are set out in Part 1 of the Annex to this Decision.

2.   Where a comparability assessment for a biological quality element has not been completed within a Geographical Intercalibration Group, Member States shall, for the purpose of Section 1.4.1(iii) of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC, use in their monitoring systems classification the methods and the values of the boundaries between classes that are set out in Part 2 of the Annex to this Decision.

3.   Member States may use the methods and the values of the boundaries between classes set out in the Annex to this Decision to establish the good ecological potential of water bodies designated as artificial or heavily modified water bodies in accordance with Article 4(3) of Directive 2000/60/EC.

Article 2

Decision 2013/480/EU is repealed.

Article 3

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 12 February 2018.

For the Commission

Karmenu VELLA

Member of the Commission


(1)  OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1.

(2)  Commission Decision 2005/646/EC of 17 August 2005 on the establishment of a register of sites to form the intercalibration network in accordance with Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 243, 19.9.2005, p. 1).

(3)  Common implementation strategy for the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), Guidance Document No 6, Towards a Guidance on Establishment of the Intercalibration Network and the Process on the Intercalibration Exercise, European Communities, 2003. ISBN 92-894-5126-2.

(4)  Common implementation strategy for the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), Guidance document No 14. Guidance document on the Intercalibration Process 2004-2006, ISBN 92-894-9471-9;

Common implementation strategy for the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), Guidance document No 14. Guidance document on the Intercalibration Process 2008-2011, ISBN: 978-92-79-18997-5.

(5)  Procedure to fit new or updated classification methods to the results of a completed intercalibration exercise, Guidance document No 30. Technical Report 2015-085, ISBN: 978-92-79-38434-9.

(6)  Commission Decision 2008/915/EC of 30 October 2008 establishing, pursuant to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, the values of the Member State monitoring system classifications as a result of the intercalibration exercise (OJ L 332, 10.12.2008, p. 20).

(7)  Commission Decision 2013/480/EU of 20 September 2013 establishing, pursuant to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, the values of the Member State monitoring system classifications as a result of the intercalibration exercise and repealing Decision 2008/915/EC (OJ L 266, 8.10.2013, p. 1).


ANNEX

Part 1 of this annex includes the results of the intercalibration exercise for which all steps of the intercalibration process have been fully completed, including their respective boundary values.

Part 2 includes national methods and their boundary values which are consistent with the normative definition set out in Section 1.2 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC but where it has not been technically feasible to complete the comparability assessment within a Geographical Intercalibration Group due to lack of common types, different pressures addressed or different assessment concepts.

-- PART 1 --

Water category

Rivers

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Alpine rivers

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

River characterisation

Catchment (km2)

Altitude (m a.s.l.) and geomorphology

Alkalinity

Flow regime

R-A1

Pre-Alpine, small to medium, high altitude calcareous

10 — 1 000

800 — 2 500  m (catchment), boulders/cobble

High (but not extremely high) alkalinity

 

R-A2

Small to medium, high altitude, siliceous

10 — 1 000

500 — 1 000  m (max altitude of catchment 3 000  m, mean 1 500  m), boulders

Non-calcareous (granite, metamorphic) medium to low alkalinity

Nival-glacial flow regime

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

Type R-A1:

Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Slovenia

Type R-A2:

Austria, France, Italy, Spain

ALPINE RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Benthic invertebrate fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country and Type

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Type R-A1

 

 

 

Austria

Assessment of the biological quality elements — part benthic invertebrates [Erhebung der biologischen Qualitätselemente — Teil Makrozoobenthos (Detaillierte MZB-Methode)]

0,80

0,60

France

Classification française DCE Indice Biologique Global Normalisé (IBGN). AFNOR NF-T-90-350 and arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface

0,93

0,79

Germany

PERLODES — Bewertungsverfahren von Fließgewässern auf Basis des Makrozoobenthos

0,80

0,60

Italy

MacrOper, based on STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index (STAR_ICMi)

0,97

0,73

Slovenia

Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev

0,80

0,60

Type R-A2

 

 

 

Austria

Assessment of the biological quality elements — part benthic invertebrates [Erhebung der biologischen Qualitätselemente — Teil Makrozoobenthos (Detaillierte MZB-Methode)]

0,80

0,60

France (Alps)

Classification française DCE Indice Biologique Global Normalisé (IBGN). AFNOR NF-T-90-350 and arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface

0,93

0,71

France (Pyrenees)

Classification française DCE Indice Biologique Global Normalisé (IBGN). AFNOR NF-T-90-350 and arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface

0,94

0,81

Italy

MacrOper, based on STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index (STAR_ICMi)

0,95

0,71

Spain

Iberian BMWP (IBMWP)

0,83

0,53

ALPINE RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes and Phytobenthos

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Phytobenthos

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Type and country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Type R-A1

 

 

 

Austria

Assessment of the biological quality elements — part phytobenthos [Leitfaden zur Erhebung der biologischen Qualitätselemente, Teil A3 — Fließgewässer/Phytobenthos]

0,88

0,56

France

IBD 2007 (Coste et al, Ecol. Ind. 2009). AFNOR NF-T-90-354, December 2007. Arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface

0,94

0,78

Germany

Verfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Fließgewässern zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul Diatomeen

0,735

0,54

Italy

Intercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi) (Mancini & Sollazzo, 2009)

0,87

0,7

Slovenia

Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, fitobentos

0,80

0,60

Type R-A2

 

 

 

Austria

Assessment of the biological quality elements — part phytobenthos [Leitfaden zur Erhebung der biologischen Qualitätselemente, Teil A3 — Fließgewässer/Phytobenthos]

0,88

0,56

France

IBD 2007 (Coste et al, Ecol. Ind. 2009). AFNOR NF-T-90-354, December 2007. Arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface

0,94

0,78

Spain

IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)

0,94

0,74

Italy

Intercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi) (Mancini & Sollazzo, 2009)

0,85

0,64

Water category

Rivers

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Central-Baltic rivers

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

River characterisation

Catchment (km2)

Altitude and geomorphology

Alkalinity (meq/l)

R-C1

Small lowland siliceous sand

10 — 100

Lowland, dominated by sandy substrate (small particle size), 3 — 8 m width (bankfull size)

> 0,4

R-C2

Small lowland siliceous — rock

10 — 100

Lowland, rock material

3 — 8m width (bankfull size)

< 0,4

R-C3

Small mid-altitude siliceous

10 — 100

Mid-altitude, rock (granite) — gravel substrate, 2 — 10 m width (bankfull size)

< 0,4

R-C4

Medium lowland mixed

100 — 1 000

Lowland, sandy to gravel substrate, 8 — 25 m width (bankfull size)

> 0,4

R-C5

Large lowland mixed

1 000  — 10 000

Lowland, barbel zone, variation in velocity, max. altitude in catchment: 800 m a.s.l., > 25 m width (bankfull size)

> 0,4

R-C6

Small, lowland, calcareous

10 — 300

Lowland, gravel substrate (limestone), width 3 — 10 m (bankfull size)

> 2

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

Type R-C1:

Belgium (Flanders), Belgium (Wallonia), Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom

Type R-C2:

Spain, France, Ireland, Sweden, United Kingdom

Type R-C3:

Austria, Belgium (Wallonia), Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Spain, Sweden, France, Luxembourg, United Kingdom

Type R-C4:

Belgium (Flanders), Belgium (Wallonia), Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom

Type R-C5:

Belgium (Wallonia), Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Spain, Ireland. Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom

Type R-C6:

Belgium (Wallonia), Denmark, Estonia, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Sweden, United Kingdom

CENTRAL-BALTIC RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Benthic invertebrate fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Austria

Assessment of the biological quality elements — part benthic invertebrates

0,80

0,60

Belgium (Flanders)

Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index Flanders (MMIF)

0,90

0,70

Belgium (Wallonia)

Indice Biologique Global Normalisé (IBGN) (Norme AFNOR NF T 90 350, 1992) and Arrêté du Gouvernement wallon du 13 septembre 2012 relatif à l’identification, à la caractérisation et à la fixation des seuils d’état écologique applicables aux masses d’eau de surface et modifiant le Livre II du Code de l’Environnement, contenant le Code de l’Eau. Moniteur belge 12.10.2012

0,94

(type R-C1)

0,97

(types R-C3, R-C5, R-C6)

0,75

(type R-C1)

0,74

(types R-C3, R-C5, R-C6)

Czech Republic

Czech system for ecological status assessment of rivers using benthic macroinvertebrates

0,80

0,60

Denmark

Danish Stream Fauna Index (DSFI)

1,00

0,71

Estonia

Estonian surface water ecological quality assessment — river macroinvertebrates

0,90

0,70

Germany

PERLODES — Bewertungsverfahren von Fließgewässern auf Basis des Makrozoobenthos

0,80

0,60

France

Classification française DCE Indice Biologique Global Normalisé (IBGN). AFNOR NF T90-350 et arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface

0,94

0,80

Ireland

Quality Rating System (Q-value)

0,85

0,75

Italy

MacrOper, based on STAR_ICM index calculation

0,96

0,72

Latvia

Latvian Macroinvertebrate Index (LMI)

0,92

0,72

Lithuania

Lithuanian River Macroinvertebrate Index (LRMI)

0,80

0,60

Luxembourg

Classification luxembourgeoise DCE Indice Biologique Global Normalisé (IBGN). AFNOR NF-T-90-350, AFNOR XP T 90-333 and XP T 90-388

0,96

0,72

Netherlands

KRW-maatlat

0,80

0,60

Poland

RIVECOmacro — MMI_PL

0,91 (type R-C1)

0,72 (type R-C1)

Spain

METI

0,93

0,70

Sweden

DJ-index (Dahl & Johnson 2004)

0,80

0,60

United Kingdom

River Invertebrate Classification Tool (RICT)- WHPT

0,97

0,86

CENTRAL-BALTIC RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes and Phytobenthos

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Type

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Austria

AIM for Rivers (Austrian Index Macrophytes for rivers)

RC-3

0,875

0,625

Belgium (Flanders)

MAFWAT — Flemish macrophyte assessment system

R-C1

0,80

0,60

Belgium (Wallonia)

IBMR-WL — Biological Macrophyte Index for Rivers (Arrêté du Gouvernement wallon du 13 septembre 2012 relatif à l’identification, à la caractérisation et à la fixation des seuils d’état écologique applicables aux masses d’eau de surface et modifiant le Livre II du Code de l’Environnement, contenant le Code de l’Eau. Moniteur belge 12.10.2012)

R-C3

0,925

0,607

Czech Republic

Assessment method of surface running water bodies in the Czech Republic using biological quality element macrophytes

R-C3 (national type 1)

0,83

0,67

R-C3 (national type 4)

0,82

0,64

R-C4

0,86

0,62

Denmark

DSPI — Danish Stream Plant Index

R-C1, R-C4

0,70

0,50

Germany

Verfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Fließgewässern zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul Makrophyten

R-C1

0,745

0,495

R-C3

0,80

0,55

R-C4

0,575

0,395

Germany

NRW-Verfahren zur Bewertung von Fließgewässern mit Makrophyten

R-C1, R-C3, R-C4

0,995

0,695

France

IBMR — Indice Biologique Macrophytique en Rivière French standard NF T90-395 (2003-10-01)

R-C3

0,93

0,79

R-C4

0,905

0,79

Ireland

MTR — IE — Mean Trophic Ranking

R-C4

0,74

0,62

Italy

IBMR — IT — Biological Macrophyte Index for Rivers

R-C1

0,90

0,80

R-C4

0,90

0,80

Lithuania

Lithuanian River Macrophyte Index

R-C4

0,61

0,41

Latvia

Latvian assessment method using macrophytes

R-C4

0,75

0,55

Luxembourg

IBMR — LU — Biological Macrophyte Index for Rivers

R-C3, R-C4, R-C5 and R-C6

0,89

0,79

Netherlands

Revised assessment method for rivers in The Netherlands using macrophytes

R-C1 and R-C

0,80

0,60

Poland

MIR — Macrophyte Index for Rivers

R-C1

0,90

0,65

R-C3

0,910

0,684

R-C4

0,90

0,65

United Kingdom

River LEAFPACS 2

R-C1, R-C3 and R-C4 (*1)

0,80

0,60

CENTRAL-BALTIC RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes and Phytobenthos

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Phytobenthos

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Type

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Austria

Assessment of the biological quality elements — part Phytobenthos [Leitfaden zur Erhebung der biologischen Qualitätselemente, Teil A3 -Fließgewässer/Phytobenthos]

All types, altitude < 500 m

0,70

0,42

All types, altitude > 500 m

0,71

0,43

Belgium (Flanders)

Proportions of Impact-Sensitive and Impact-Associated Diatoms (PISIAD)

All types

0,80

0,60

Belgium (Wallonia)

IPS (Coste, in CEMAGREF, 1982; Lenoir & Coste, 1996 and Arrêté du Gouvernement wallon du 13 septembre 2012 relatif à l’identification, à la caractérisation et à la fixation des seuils d’état écologique applicables aux masses d’eau de surface et modifiant le Livre II du Code de l’Environnement, contenant le Code de l’Eau. Moniteur belge 12.10.2012)

All types

0,98

0,73

Czech Republic

Czech assessment method for rivers using phytobenthos

R-C3, R-C4, R-C5

0,80

0,63

Estonia

Indice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)

All types

0,85

0,70

France

IBD 2007 (Coste et al, Ecol. Ind. 2009). AFNOR NF-T-90-354, December 2007. Arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface

All types

0,94

0,78

Germany

Verfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Fließgewässern zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul Diatomeen

R-C1

0,67

0,43

R-C3

0,67

0,43

R-C4

0,61

0,43

R-C5

0,73

0,55

Ireland

Revised form of Trophic Diatom Index (TDI)

All types

0,93

0,78

Italy

Intercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi) (Mancini & Sollazzo, 2009)

All types

0,89

0,70

Ireland

Revised form of Trophic Diatom Index (TDI)

All types

0,93

0,78

Lithuania

Lithuanian Phytobenthos Index

R-C1, R-C4, R-C5, R-C6

0,73

0,55

Luxembourg

Indice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)

R-C3, R-C4 (low alkalinity)

0,98

0,78

R-C4 (high alkalinity), R-C5 and R-C6

0,99

0,78

Netherlands

KRW Maatlat

All types

0,80

0,60

Poland

Indeks Okrzemkowy IO dla rzek (Diatom Index for rivers)

All types

0,80

0,58

Spain

Diatom multimetric (MDIAT)

R-C2, R-C3, R-C4

0,93

0,70

Sweden

Swedish assessment methods, Swedish EPA regulations (NFS 2008:1) based on Indice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)

All types

0,89

0,74

United Kingdom

Diatom Assessment for River Ecological Status (DARLEQ2)

All types

1,00

0,75

Water category

Rivers

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Eastern Continental rivers

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

River characterisation

Ecoregion

Catchment (km2)

Altitude (m a.s.l.)

Geology

Substrate

R-E1a

Carpathians: small to medium, mid-altitude

10

10 — 1 000

500 — 800

Mixed

 

R-E1b

Carpathians: small to medium, mid-altitude

10

10 — 1 000

200 — 500

Mixed

 

R-E2

Plains: medium-sized, lowland

11 and 12

100 — 1 000

< 200

Mixed

Sand and silt

R-E3

Plains: large, lowland

11 and 12

> 1 000

< 200

Mixed

Sand, silt and gravel

R-E4

Plains: medium-sized, mid-altitude

11 and 12

100 — 1 000

200 — 500

Mixed

Sand and gravel

R-EX4

Large, mid-altitude

10, 11 and 12

> 1 000

200 — 500

Mixed

Gravel and boulder

R-EX5

Plains: small lowland

11 and 12

10 — 100

< 200

Mixed

Sand and silt

R-EX6

Plains: small, mid-altitude

11 and 12

10 — 100

200 — 500

Mixed

Gravel

R-EX7

Balkan: small, calcareous, mid-altitude

5

10 — 100

200 — 500

Calcareous

Gravel

R-EX8

Balkan: small to medium-sized, calcareous karst spring

5

10 — 1 000

 

Calcareous

Gravel, sand and silt

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

R-E1a:

Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia

R-E1b:

Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia

R-E2:

Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia

R-E3:

Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia

R-E4:

Austria, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia

R-EX4:

Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia

R-EX5:

Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia

R-EX6:

Hungary, Romania, Slovenia

R-EX7:

Slovenia

R-EX8:

Slovenia

EASTERN CONTINENTAL RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Benthic invertebrate fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Type

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Austria

Assessment of the biological quality elements — part benthic invertebrates

R-E4

0,80

0,60

Bulgaria

IBI (BG) (Irish Biotic Index (BG))

R-E1a, R-E1b

0,86

0,67

R-E2, R-E3

0,80

0,60

Czech Republic

Czech system for ecological status assessment of rivers using benthic macroinvertebrates

R-E1a, R-E1b, R-E2, R-E3

0,80

0,60

Hungary

Hungarian Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index

R-E1b, R-E3, R-E4, R-EX5, R-EX6

0,80

0,60

Romania

Assessment method for ecological status of water bodies based on macroinvertebrates

R-E1a, R-E1b, R-E3, R-EX4

0,74

0,58

Slovenia

Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev

R-E4, R-EX5, R-EX6

0,80

0,60

Slovakia

Slovak assessment of benthic invertebrates in rivers

R-E1a, R-E1b, R-E2, R-E3, R-E4, R-EX4

0,80

0,60

EASTERN CONTINENTAL RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes and Phytobenthos

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Type

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Austria

AIM for Rivers (Austrian Index Macrophytes for rivers)

R-E4

0,875

0,625

Bulgaria

Reference Index

R-E2, R-E3

0,570

0,370

R-E4

0,510

0,270

Czech Republic

Assessment method of surface running water bodies in the Czech Republic using biological quality element macrophytes

R-E2, R-E3

0,750

0,500

Czech Republic

Assessment method of surface running water bodies in the Czech Republic using biological quality element macrophytes

R-E4

0,770

0,560

Hungary

Reference Index

R-E2, R-E3

0,700

0,370

Romania

Romanian Macrophyte-based assessment system for rivers (Macrophyte River Index (MARI))

R-E2, R-E3, R-E4

R-E2 and R-E3: 0,875 , R-E4: 0,783

all types: 0,625

Slovenia

Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, makrofiti

R-E2, R-E3, R-E4

0,800

0,600

Slovakia

Macrophyte Biological Index for Rivers (IBMR-SK)

R-E2, R-E3, R-E4

0,800

0,600

EASTERN CONTINENTAL RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes and Phytobenthos

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Phytobenthos

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Type

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Austria

Assessment of the biological quality elements — part phytobenthos

R-E4

0,70

0,42

Bulgaria

Ecological status assessment of rivers in Bulgaria based on IPS diatom index

R-E1a, R-E1b, R-E3

0,87 (national type R2, R4)

0,85 (national type R7, R8)

0,66 (national type R2, R4)

0,64 (national type R7, R8)

Czech Republic

Assessment system for rivers using phytobenthos

R-E1a, R-E1b, R-E2, R-E3, R-EX4

0,80

0,60

Hungary

Ecological status assessment for rivers based on diatoms

R-E2, R-E3, R-EX5

0,80

0,60

Romania

National (Romanian) Assessment Method for Rivers Ecological Status based on Phytobenthos (Diatoms) RO-AMRP

R-E1a, R-E1b, R-E3

0,80

0,60

Slovenia

Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, fitobentos

R-E4, R-EX5, R-EX6, R-EX7, R-EX8

0,80

0,60

Slovakia

Ecological status assessment system for rivers using phytobenthos

R-E1a, R-E1b, R-E2, R-E3, R-E4, R-EX4

0,90

0,70

Water category

Rivers

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Mediterranean rivers

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

River characterisation

Catchment (km2)

Geology

Flow regime

R-M1

Small Mediterranean streams

< 100

Mixed (except silicious)

Highly seasonal

R-M2

Medium Mediterranean streams

100 — 1 000

Mixed (except silicious)

Highly seasonal

R-M4

Mediterranean mountain streams

 

Non-silicious

Highly seasonal

R-M5

Temporary streams

 

 

Temporary

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

R-M1:

Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain

R-M2:

Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain

R-M4:

Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Spain

R-M5:

Cyprus, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain

MEDITERRANEAN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Benthic invertebrate fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Type and Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

R-M1

 

 

 

France

Classification française DCE Indice Biologique Global Normalisé (IBGN). AFNOR NF T90-350 et arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface

0,940

0,700

Greece

Hellenic Evaluation System-2 (HESY-2)

0,943

0,750

Italy

MacrOper (based on STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index ICMi)

0,970

0,720

Portugal

Rivers Biological Quality Assessment Method-Benthic Invertebrates (IPtIN, IPtIS)

0,870 (type 1)

0,678 (type 1)

0,850 (type 3)

0,686 (type 3)

Slovenia

Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev

0,800

0,600

Spain

Iberian Biological Monitoring Working Party (IBMWP)

0,845

0,698

Spain

Iberian Mediterranean Multimetric Index—using quantitative data (IMMi-T)

0,811

0,707

R-M2

 

 

 

Bulgaria

IBI (BG) (Irish Biotic Index (BG))

0,800

0,600

France

Classification française DCE Indice Biologique Global Normalisé (IBGN). AFNOR NF T90-350 et arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface

0,940

0,700

Greece

Hellenic Evaluation System-2 (HESY-2)

0,944

0,708

Italy

MacrOper (based on STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index ICMi)

0,940

0,700

Portugal

Rivers Biological Quality Assessment Method-Benthic Invertebrates (IPtIN, IPtIS)

0,830 (type 2)

0,693 (type 2)

0,880 (type 4)

0,676 (type 4)

Slovenia

Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev

0,800

0,600

Spain

Iberian Biological Monitoring Working Party (IBMWP)

0,845

0,698

Spain

Iberian Mediterranean Multimetric Index—using quantitative data (IMMi-T)

0,811

0,707

R-M4

 

 

 

Cyprus

STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index (STAR_ICMi)

0,972

0,729

France

Classification française DCE Indice Biologique Global Normalisé (IBGN). AFNOR NF T90-350 et arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface

0,940

0,700

Greece

Hellenic Evaluation System-2 (HESY-2)

0,850

0,637

Italy

MacrOper (based on STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index ICMi)

0,940

0,700

Spain

Iberian Biological Monitoring Working Party (IBMWP)

0,840

0,700

Spain

Iberian Mediterranean Multimetric Index—using quantitative data (IMMi-T)

0,850

0,694

R-M5

 

 

 

Cyprus

STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index (STAR_ICMi)

0,982

0,737

Greece

Hellenic Evaluation System-2 (HESY-2)

0,963

0,673

Italy

MacrOper (based on STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index ICMi)

0,970

0,730

Portugal

Rivers Biological Quality Assessment Method-Benthic Invertebrates (IPtIN, IPtIS)

0,973 (type 5)

0,705 (type 5)

0,961 (type 6)

0,708 (type 6)

Slovenia

Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev

0,800

0,600

Spain

Iberian Biological Monitoring Working Party (IBMWP)

0,830

0,630

Spain

Iberian Mediterranean Multimetric Index—using quantitative data (IMMi-T)

0,830

0,620

MEDITERRANEAN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes and Phytobenthos

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Type and Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

R-M1, M2, M4

 

 

 

Bulgaria (R-M1 and R-M2)

RI (BG) (Reference Index (BG))

0,640

0,350

Cyprus

IBMR — Biological Macrophyte Index for Rivers

0,795

0,596

France

IBMR — Indice Biologique Macrophytique en Rivière French standard NF T90-395 (2003-10-01)

0,930

0,745

Greece

IBMR — Biological Macrophyte Index for Rivers

0,750

0,560

Italy

IBMR — Biological Macrophyte Index for Rivers

0,900

0,800

Portugal

IBMR — Biological Macrophyte Index for Rivers

0,920

0,690

Slovenia

Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, makrofiti

0,800

0,600

Spain

IBMR — Biological Macrophyte Index for Rivers

0,950

0,740

MEDITERRANEAN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes and Phytobenthos

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Phytobenthos

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Type and Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

R-M1

 

 

 

Bulgaria

IPS (Indice de polluo-sensibilité)

0,820

0,630

France

IBD 2007 (Coste et al, Ecol. Ind. 2009). AFNOR NF-T-90-354, December 2007. Arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface

0,940

0,780

Greece

IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982) Intercalibrated (EQR IPS)

0,956

0,717

Italy

Intercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi) (Mancini & Sollazzo, 2009)

0,800

0,610

Portugal

IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)

0,970 (type 1)

0,730 (type 1)

0,910 (type 3)

0,680 (type 3)

Slovenia

Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, fitobentos

0,800

0,600

Spain

IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)

0,937

0,727

R-M2

 

 

 

Bulgaria

IPDS (Indice de polluo-sensibilité)

0,820

0,630

France

IBD 2007 (Coste et al, Ecol. Ind. 2009). AFNOR NF-T-90-354, December 2007. Arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface

0,940

0,780

Greece

IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982) Intercalibrated (EQR IPS)

0,953

0,732

Italy

Intercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi)

(Mancini & Sollazzo, 2009)

0,800

0,610

Portugal

IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982))

0,910 (type 2)

0,680 (type 2)

0,970 (type 4)

0,730 (type 4)

Slovenia

Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, fitobentos

0,800

0,600

Spain

IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)

0,938

0,727

R-M4

 

 

 

Cyprus

IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)

0,910

0,683

France

IBD 2007 (Coste et al, Ecol. Ind. 2009). AFNOR NF-T-90-354, December 2007. Arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface

0,940

0,780

Greece

IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982) Intercalibrated (EQR IPS)

0,932

0,716

Italy

Intercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi)

(Mancini & Sollazzo, 2009)

0,800

0,610

Spain

IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)

0,935

0,727

R-M5

 

 

 

Cyprus

IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)

0,958

0,718

Italy

Intercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi)

(Mancini & Sollazzo, 2009)

0,880

0,650

Portugal

IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)

0,800 (Type 5)

0,651 (Type 5)

0,940 (Type 6)

0,700 (Type 6)

Slovenia

Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, fitobentos

0,800

0,600

Spain

IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)

0,935

0,700

Water category

Rivers

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Northern rivers

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

River characterisation

Catchment area

of stretch (km2)

Altitude and geomorphology

Alkalinity

(meq/l)

Organic material

(mg Pt/l)

R-N1

Small lowland siliceous moderate alkalinity

10 — 100

< 200 m a.s.l. or below the highest coastline

0,2  — 1

< 30

(< 150 in Ireland)

R-N3

Small/medium lowland organic low alkalinity

10 — 1 000

< 0,2

> 30

R-N4

Medium lowland siliceous moderate alkalinity

100 — 1 000

0,2  — 1

< 30

R-N5

Small mid-altitude siliceous low alkalinity

10 — 100

Between lowland and highland

< 0,2

< 30

R-N9

Small/medium mid-altitude siliceous low alkalinity organic (humic)

10 — 1 000

Between lowland and highland

< 0,2

> 30

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

R-N1:

Finland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom

R-N3:

Finland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom

R-N4:

Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom

R-N5:

Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom

R-N9:

Finland, Norway, Sweden

NORTHERN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Benthic invertebrate fauna (methods sensitive for organic enrichment and general degradation)

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Finland

Revised Finnish river invertebrate fauna assessment method

0,80

0,60

Ireland

Quality Rating System (Q-value)

0,85

0,75

Norway

ASPT

0,99

0,87

Sweden

DJ-index (Dahl & Johnson 2004)

0,80

0,60

United Kingdom

River Invertebrate Classification Tool (RICT)- WHPT

0,97

0,86

Biological Quality Element

Benthic invertebrate fauna (methods sensitive for acidification)

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

The following results apply to clear, low alkalinity river types

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Norway

AcidIndex2 (Modified Raddum index2) (river acidification)

0,675

0,515

United Kingdom — Scotland

WFD-AWIC

0,910

0,830

United Kingdom — England and Wales

WFD-AWIC

0,980

0,890

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

The following results apply to humic, low alkalinity river types

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Sweden

MISA: Multimetric Invertebrate Stream Acidification index

0,550

0,400

United Kingdom

WFD-AWIC

0,930

0,830

NORTHERN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes and Phytobenthos

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Type and Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

R-N3 and R-N9

 

 

 

Finland

Trophic index TIc

0,889

0,610

Sweden

Trophic index TIc

0,889

0,610

Norway

Trophic index TIc

0,889

0,610

NORTHERN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes and Phytobenthos

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Phytobenthos

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Finland

Finnish river phytobenthos method

0,80

0,60

Sweden

Indice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)

0,89

0,74

Ireland

Revised form of Trophic Diatom Index (TDI)

0,93

0,78

United Kingdom

DARLEQ 2

1,00

0,75

Norway

Periphyton Index of Trophic Status (PIT)

0,99

(Ca ≤ 1 mg/l)

0,83

0,95

(Ca > 1 mg/l)

Water category

Rivers

Geographical Intercalibration Groups

All

Biological Quality Element

Fish fauna

Overview of regional groups that have been established for the river fish intercalibration:

Lowland-Midland group  — Belgium (Flanders), Belgium (Wallonia), France, Germany, Netherlands, Lithuania, Luxembourg, United Kingdom (England and Wales), Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Denmark, Hungary

Nordic group  — Finland, Ireland, Sweden, United Kingdom (Scotland and Northern Ireland), Norway

Alpine-type Mountains group  — Austria, France, Germany, Slovenia, Italy

Mediterranean South Atlantic group  — Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria

Danubian group  — Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Lowland-Midland group

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Belgium Flanders

Upstream and Lowland IBI

0,850

0,650

Belgium Wallonia

IBIP (Arrêté du Gouvernement wallon du 13 septembre 2012 relatif à l’identification, à la caractérisation et à la fixation des seuils d’état écologique applicables aux masses d’eau de surface et modifiant le Livre II du Code de l’Environnement, contenant le Code de l’Eau. Moniteur belge 12.10.2012)

0,958

0,792

France

FBI (Fish-Based Index): Indice Poissons Rivière (IPR). AFNOR NF-T-90-344.

1,131

0,835

Germany

FIBS — fischbasiertes Bewertungssystem für Fließgewässer zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie in Deutschland

1,086

0,592

Latvia

Latvian Fish Index

0,880

0,660

Lithuania

Lithuanian River Fish Index

0,940

0,720

Luxembourg

Classification française DCE Indice Poissons Rivière (IPR). AFNOR NF-T-90-344

1,131

0,835

Netherlands

NLFISR

0,800

0,600

Poland

EFI+PL index

0,800

0,600

Nordic group

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Finland

Finnish Fish Index (FiFi) — type L2

0,665

0,499

Finland

Finnish Fish Index (FiFi) — type L3

0,658

0,493

Finland

Finnish Fish Index (FiFi) — type M1

0,709

0,532

Finland

Finnish Fish Index (FiFi) — type M2

0,734

0,550

Finland

Finnish Fish Index (FiFi) — type M3

0,723

0,542

Ireland

Fish Classification Scheme 2 Ireland (FCS2)

0,845

0,540

Sweden

Swedish method VIX

0,739

0,467

United Kingdom — Northern Ireland

IR_FCS2

0,845

0,540

United Kingdom — Scotland

FCS2 Scotland

0,850

0,600

Mediterranean group

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Greece

Hellenic Fish Index (HeFI)

0,800

0,600

Portugal

F-IBIP — Fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity for Portuguese Wadeable Streams

0,850

0,675

Spain

IBIMED — type T2

0,816

0,705

Spain

IBIMED — type T3

0,929

0,733

Spain

IBIMED — type T4

0,864

0,758

Spain

IBIMED — type T5

0,866

0,650

Spain

IBIMED — type T6

0,916

0,764

Alpine group

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Austria

FIA

0,875

0,625

France

FBI (Fish-Based Index): Indice Poissons Rivière (IPR). AFNOR NF-T90-344

1,131

0,876

Germany

FIBS — fischbasiertes Bewertungssystem für Fließgewässer zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie in Deutschland

1,086

0,592

Italy

NISECI index (New Index of Ecological Status of Fish Communities)

0,800

0,520

Slovenia

Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi rib

0,800

0,600

Danubian group

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Bulgaria

TsBRI (Type Specific Bulgarian Fish Index)

0,860

0,650

Czech Republic

Czech multimetric method CZI

0,780

0,585

Romania

EFI+ European Fish index (cyprinid wading type)

0,939

0,700

Romania

EFI+ European Fish index (salmonid type)

0,911

0,755

Slovakia

Fish Index of Slovakia FIS

0,710

0,570

Water Category

Rivers

Geographical Intercalibration Groups

All — Very Large Rivers

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

River characterisation

Catchment area of stretch (km2)

Alkalinity (meq/l)

R-L1

Very large low alkalinity rivers

> 10 000

< 0,5

R-L2

Very large medium to high alkalinity rivers

> 10 000

> 0,5

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

R-L1:

Finland, Norway, Sweden

R-L2:

Austria, Belgium (Flanders), Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden

VERY LARGE RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP

Biological Quality Element

Benthic invertebrate fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Austria

Assessment of the Biological Quality Elements — part benthic invertebrates (for large alpine rivers)

0,80

0,60

Austria

Slovak assessment of benthic invertebrates in large rivers (for large lowland rivers)

0,80

0,60

Belgium (Flanders)

Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index Flanders (MMIF)

0,90

0,70

Bulgaria

mRBA — Modified Rapid Biological Assessment

0,80

0,60

Croatia

Ecological status assessment system based on benthic invertebrates in very large rivers

0,80

0,60

Czech Republic

Czech system for ecological status assessment of large non-wadeable rivers using benthic macroinvertebrates

0,80

0,60

Germany

Germany PTI — Potamon-Typie-Index

0,80

0,60

Estonia

Estonian surface water ecological quality assessment _ large river macroinvertebrates

0,90

0,70

Spain

IBMWP — Iberian Biological Monitoring Working Party

0,79

0,48

Finland

Revised Finnish river invertebrate fauna assessment method

0,80

0,60

Hungary

Hungary HMMI_II — Hungarian Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index for large and very large rivers

0,80

0,60

Italy

ISA (Indice per la classificazione sulla base dei Substrati Artificiali) — mediterranean rivers

0,94

0,70

Italy

ISA (Indice per la classificazione sulla base dei Substrati Artificiali) — non-mediterranean rivers

0,96

0,72

Lithuania

Lithuanian River Macroinvertebrate Index

0,80

0,60

Latvia

LRMI — Latvian large River Macroinvertebrate Index

0,88

0,63

Netherlands

WFD metrics for natural water types

0,80

0,60

Norway

Norway ASPT — Average Score Per Taxon

0,99

0,87

Poland

RIVECOmacro — MMI_PL

0,91

0,71

Romania

ECO-BENT — Assessment method for ecological status of water bodies based on macroinvertebrates

0,79

0,53

Sweden

Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT) and DJ-index

0,80

0,60

Slovenia

Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev

0,80

0,60

Slovakia

Slovak assessment of benthic invertebrates in large rivers

0,80

0,60

VERY LARGE RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP

Biological Quality Element

Phytoplankton

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Austria

German PhytoFluss-Index 4.0

0,80

0,60

Belgium (Flanders)

German PhytoFluss-Index 2.0

0,80

0,60

Bulgaria

German PhytoFluss-Index 4.0

0,80

0,60

Croatia

HRPI — Hungarian River Phytoplankton Index

0,80

0,60

Czech Republic

CZ — Assessment method for ecological status of rivers based on phytoplankton

0,80

0,60

Germany

German PhytoFluss-Index

0,80

0,60

Estonia

EST_PHYPLA_R — Estonian Large River Phytoplankton Index

0,85

0,65

Hungary

HRPI — Hungarian River Phytoplankton Index

0,80

0,60

Lithuania

German PhytoFluss-Index for lowland rivers of type 15.2

0,80

0,60

Latvia

Latvian Large River Phytoplankton Index

0,80

0,60

Poland

IFPL metric — Method for large rivers assessment using phytoplankton

1,08

0,92

Romania

ECO-FITO — Assessment Method for Ecological Status of the Water Bodies based on Phytoplankton

0,92

0,76

Slovakia

Phytoplankton-SK — Slovak assessment of phytoplankton in large rivers

0,80

0,60

VERY LARGE RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP

Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes and Phytobenthos

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Phytobenthos

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country and Type

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

R-L1

 

 

 

Finland

Finnish river phytobenthos method

0,80

0,60

Sweden

Benthic algae in running water — diatom analysis

0,89

0,74

R-L2

 

 

 

Austria

Assessment of the Biological Quality Elements — part phytobenthos

0,85

0,57

Bulgaria

IPS (Indice de Polluo-Sensibilité)

0,76

0,58

Czech Republic

Assessment system for rivers using phytobenthos

0,80

0,60

Estonia

Estonian surface water ecological quality assessment — river phytobenthos

0,83

0,64

France

IBD 2007 (Coste et al, Ecol. Ind. 2009). AFNOR NF T90-354, April 2016. Arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface

0,92

0,76

Spain

IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)

0,68

0,48

Germany

Verfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Fließgewässern zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul Diatomeen

0,725

0,55

Croatia

Ecological status assessment system for phytobenthos in rivers based on diatoms

0,8

0,61

Hungary

Ecological status assessment for rivers based on diatoms

0,762

0,60

Italy

Intercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi) (Mancini &Sollazzo 2009)

0,89 (national type C)

0,70 (national type C)

0,82 (national type M3)

0,62 (national type M3)

Netherlands

WFD-metrics for natural water types

0,80

0,60

Portugal

IPS — Specific Pollution Sensitivity Index

0,90 (national type R_GRS/Guadiana river)

0,67 (national type R_GRS/Guadiana river)

Slovakia

Ecological status assessment system for rivers using phytobenthos

0,90

0,70

Slovenia

Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, fitobentos

0,80

0,60

Water category

Lakes

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Alpine lakes

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

Lake characterisation

Altitude (m above sea level)

Mean depth (m)

Alkalinity (meq/l)

Lake size (km2)

L-AL3

Lowland or mid-altitude, deep, moderate to high alkalinity (alpine influence), large

50 — 800

> 15

> 1

> 0,5

L-AL4

Mid-altitude, shallow, moderate to high alkalinity (alpine influence), large

200 — 800

3 — 15

> 1

> 0,5

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

Types L-AL3:

Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Slovenia

Types L-AL4:

Austria, France, Germany, Italy

ALPINE LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Phytoplankton

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Austria

Evaluation of the biological quality elements, Part B2 — phytoplankton

0,80

0,60

France

Phytoplankton Index for Lakes (IPLAC): Indice Phytoplancton Lacustre

0,80

0,60

Germany

PSI (Phyto-Seen-Index) — Bewertungsverfahren für Seen mittels Phytoplankton zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie in Deutschland

0,80

0,60

Italy

Italian Phytoplankton Assessment Method (IPAM)

0,80

0,60

Slovenia

Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja jezer na podlagi fitoplanktona

0,80

0,60

ALPINE LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes and Phytobenthos

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

IC type

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Austria

AIM for Lakes (Austrian Index Macrophytes for lakes)

L-AL3+

L-AL4

0,80

0,60

France

French Macrophyte Index for Lakes (IBML): Indice Biologique Macrophytique en Lacs

L-AL3+

L-AL4

0,92

0,72

Germany

Verfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul Makrophyten

L-AL3+

L-AL4

0,76

0,51

Germany

Verfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul Makrophyten und Phytobenthos

LAL4

0,74

0,47

Italy

MacroIMMI (Macrophytic index for the evaluation of the ecological quality of the Italian lakes)

L-AL3+

L-AL4

0,80

0,60

Slovenia

Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja jezer na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, makrofiti

L-AL3

0,80

0,60

ALPINE LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Benthic invertebrate fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Slovenia

Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja jezer na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev

0,80

0,60

Germany

AESHNA — Bewertungsverfahren für das eulitorale Makrozoobenthos in Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie in Deutschland

0,80

0,60

ALPINE LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Fish fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Austria

ALFI (Austrian lake fish index): A multimetric index to assess the ecological status of alpine lakes based on fish fauna

0,80

0,60

Germany

DeLFI_SITE — Deutsches probennahmestandort-spezifisches Bewertungsverfahren für Fische in Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie

0,85

0,69

Italy

Lake Fish Index (LFI)

0,82

0,64

Water category

Lakes

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Central/Baltic lakes

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

Lake characterisation

Altitude (m above sea level)

Mean depth (m)

Alkalinity (meq/l)

Residence time (years)

L-CB1

Lowland, shallow, calcareous

< 200

3 — 15

> 1

1 — 10

L-CB2

Lowland, very shallow, calcareous

< 200

< 3

> 1

0,1  — 1

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated

Types L-CB1:

Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom

Types L-CB2:

Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom

CENTRAL-BALTIC LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Phytoplankton

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Belgium (Flanders)

Flemish phytoplankton assessment method for lakes

0,80

0,60

Denmark

Danish Lake Phytoplankton Index

0,80

0,60

Estonia

Estonian surface water ecological quality assessment — lake phytoplankton

0,80

0,60

Germany

PSI (Phyto-Seen-Index) — Bewertungsverfahren für Seen mittels Phytoplankton zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie in Deutschland — German Phyto-Lake-Index (Phyto-See-Index)

0,80

0,60

Ireland

IE Lake Phytoplankton Index

0,80

0,60

Latvia

Latvian Lake Phytoplankton Index

0,81

0,61

Lithuania

German Phytoplankton Index (PSI)

0,81

0,61

Netherlands

WFD — metrics for natural water types

0,80

0,60

Poland

Phytoplankton method for Polish Lakes (PMPL)

0,80

0,60

UK

Phytoplankton Lake Assessment Tool with Uncertainty Module (PLUTO)

0,80

0,60

CENTRAL-BALTIC LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes and Phytobenthos

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

IC type

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Belgium (Flanders)

Flemish macrophyte assessment system

All types

0,80

0,60

Denmark

Danish Lake Macrophytes Index

All types

0,80

0,60

Estonia

Estonian surface water ecological quality assessment — lake macrophytes

LCB1

0,78

0,52

LCB2

0,76

0,50

Germany

Verfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul Makrophyten

All types

0,80

0,60

Latvia

Latvian macrophyte assessment method

All types

0,80

0,60

Lithuania

Lithuanian Lake Macrophyte Index

All types

0,75

0,50

Netherlands

WFD-metrics for natural water types

All types

0,80

0,60

Poland

Macrophyte based indication method for lakes — Ecological Status Macrophyte Index ESMI (multimetric)

All types

0,68

0,41

UK

Lake LEAFPACS 2 (*2)

All types

0,80

0,66

CENTRAL-BALTIC LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Benthic invertebrate fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate

Belgium (Flanders)

Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index Flanders (MMIF)

0,90

0,70

Estonia

Estonian surface water ecological quality assessment — lake macroinvertebrates

0,86

0,70

Germany

AESHNA — Bewertungsverfahren für das eulitorale Makrozoobenthos in Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie in Deutschland

0,80

0,60

Latvia

Latvian Lake Macroinvertebrate Multimetric Index (LLMMI)

0,85

0,52

Lithuania

Lithuanian Lake Macroinvertebrate Index

0,74

0,50

Netherlands

WFDi — Metric for Natural Watertypes

0,80

0,60

UK

Chironomid Pupal Exuvial Technique (CPET)

0,77

0,64

CENTRAL-BALTIC LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Fish fauna

Description of common intercalibration types

Type

Lake characterisation

Altitude (m above sea level)

Mean depth (m)

Alkalinity (meq/l)

Residence time (years)

L-CB1

Lowland, shallow, calcareous

< 200

3 — 15

> 1

1 — 10

L-CB2

Lowland, very shallow, calcareous

< 200

< 3

> 1

0,1  — 1

L-CB3

Lowland, shallow, small, siliceous (moderate alkalinity)

< 200

3 — 15

0,2  — 1

1 — 10

L-CB4

Heavily modified water bodies

200 — 700

3 — 30

> 0,2

0,1  — 5

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated

Types L-CB1:

Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom

Types L-CB2:

Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom

Types L-CB3:

Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Latvia, Poland

Types L-CB4:

Czech Republic

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate

Czech Republic

CZ-FBI

0,870

0,619

Denmark

Danish Lake Fish Index

0,75

0,54

EE

LAFIEE

0,80

0,61

Germany

DeLFI_SITE — Deutsches probennahmestandort-spezifisches Bewertungsverfahren für Fische in Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie

0,95

0,80

France

ELFI (European Lake Fish Index): Indice Ichtyofaune Lacustre (IIL)

0,73

0,49

Latvia

Latvian Lake Fish Index

0,76

0,57

Lithuania

Lithuanian Lake Fish Index

0,865

0,605

Netherlands

VISMAATLAT

0,80

0,60

Poland

LFI+

0,866

0,595

Poland

LFI EN

0,804

0,557

Water category

Lakes

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Eastern Continental lakes

Description of common intercalibration types

Type

Lake characterisation

Altitude (m above sea level)

Mean depth (m)

Alkalinity (meq/l)

Conductivity (μS/cm)

L-EC1

Lowland very shallow hard-water

< 200

< 6

1 — 4

300 — 1 000

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated

Types L-EC1:

Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania

EASTERN CONTINENTAL LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP

Biological Quality Element

Phytoplankton

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Bulgaria

HLPI-Hungarian lake phytoplankton index

0,80

0,60

Hungary

HLPI-Hungarian lake phytoplankton index

0,80

0,60

Romania

HLPI-Hungarian lake phytoplankton index

0,80

0,60

EASTERN CONTINENTAL LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP

Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes and Phytobenthos

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good

boundary

Good-moderate

boundary

Bulgaria

RI-BG — Adapted Reference Index

0,83

0,58

Hungary

HU-RI — Adapted Reference Index

0,89

0,67

Romania

MIRO — Macrophyte Index for Romanian Lakes (Adapted Reference Index)

0,86

0,66

EASTERN CONTINENTAL LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP

Biological Quality Element

Benthic invertebrate fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Bulgaria

HMMI_lakes (Hungarian Macrozoobenton Multimetric Index for Lakes

0,85

0,65

Hungary

HMMI_lakes (Hungarian Macrozoobenton Multimetric Index for Lakes

0,85

0,65

Romania

ECO-NL-BENT Romanian ecological status assessment system for natural lakes using benthic invertebrates

0,93

0,60

EASTERN LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP

Biological Quality Element

Fish fauna

INTERCALIBRATION RESULTS NOT COMPLETED

Water category

Lakes

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Mediterranean lakes

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

Lake characterization

Altitude

(m)

Annual mean precipitation (mm) and T ( oC)

Mean depth (m)

Area (km2)

Catchment (km2)

Alkalinity (meq/l)

L-M5/7

Reservoirs, deep, large, siliceous, ‘wet’ areas

< 1 000

> 800 and/or < 15

> 15

0,5  — 50

< 20 000

< 1

L-M8

Reservoirs, deep, large, calcareous

< 1 000

> 15

0,5  — 50

< 20 000

> 1

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated

Types L-M5/7:

France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain

Types L-M8:

Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Spain

MEDITERRANEAN LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Phytoplankton

Country and Type

National classification

methods intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good

boundary

Good-moderate

boundary

LM 5/7

France

Phytoplankton Index for Lakes (IPLAC): Indice Phytoplancton Lacustre

n.d. (*3)

0,60

Greece

New Mediterranean Assessment System for Reservoirs (NMASRP)

n.d. (*3)

0,60

Italy

New Italian Method (NITMET)

n.d. (*3)

0,60

Portugal

Reservoirs Biological Quality Assessment Method — Phytoplankton (New Mediterranean Assessment System for Reservoirs Phytoplankton: NMASRP).

n.d. (*3)

0,60

Spain

Mediterranean Assessment System for Reservoirs Phytoplankton (MASRP).

n.d. (*3)

0,58

L-M8

Cyprus

New Mediterranean Assessment System for Reservoirs Phytoplankton (NMASRP).

n.d. (*3)

0,60

France

Phytoplankton Index for Lakes (IPLAC): Indice Phytoplancton Lacustre

n.d. (*3)

0,60

Greece

New Mediterranean Assessment System for Reservoirs (NMASRP)

n.d. (*3)

0,60

Italy

New Italian Method (NITMET)

n.d. (*3)

0,60

Spain

Mediterranean Assessment System for Reservoirs Phytoplankton (MASRP).

n.d. (*3)

0,60

Water category

Lakes

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Northern lakes

NORTHERN LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Phytoplankton

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

Lake characterisation

Altitude (m above sea level)

Mean depth (m)

Alkalinity (meq/l)

Colour

(mg Pt/l)

L-N1

Lowland, shallow, moderate alkalinity, clear

< 200

3 — 15

0,2  — 1

< 30

L-N2a

Lowland, shallow, low alkalinity, clear

< 200

3 — 15

< 0,2

< 30

L-N2b

Lowland, deep, low alkalinity, clear

< 200

> 15

< 0,2

< 30

L-N3a

Lowland, shallow, low alkalinity, meso-humic

< 200

3 — 15

< 0,2

30 — 90

L-N5

Mid-altitude, shallow, low alkalinity, clear

200 — 800

3 — 15

< 0,2

< 30

L-N6a

Mid-altitude, shallow, low alkalinity, meso-humic

200 — 800

3 — 15

< 0,2

30 — 90

L-N8a

Lowland, shallow, moderate alkalinity, meso-humic

< 200

3 — 15

0,2  — 1

30 — 90

Types L-N1, L-N2a, L-N3a, LN-8a:

Ireland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom.

Types L-N2b:

Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom

Types L-N5, L-N6a:

Norway, Sweden

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country

National classification

methods intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good

boundary

Good-moderate

boundary

Finland

Finnish phytoplankton assessment method for lakes

0,80

0,60

Ireland

IE Lake Phytoplankton Index

0,80

0,60

Norway

Lake phytoplankton ecological status classification method

0,80

0,60

Sweden

Ecological assessment methods for lakes. quality factor phytoplankton

0,80

0,60

UK

Phytoplankton Lake Assessment Tool with Uncertainty Module (PLUTO)

0,80

0,60

NORTHERN LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes and Phytobenthos

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

Lake characterisation

Alkalinity (meq/l)

Color(mg Pt/l)

L-N-M 101

Low alkalinity, clear

0,05  — 0,2

< 30

L-N-M 102

Low alkalinity, humic

0,05  — 0,2

> 30

L-N-M 201

Moderate alkalinity, clear

0,2  — 1,0

< 30

L-N-M 202

Moderate alkalinity, humic

0,2  — 1,0

> 30

L-N-M 301a

High alkalinity, clear, atlantic subtype

> 1,0

< 30

L-N-M 302a

High alkalinity, humic, atlantic subtype

> 1,0

> 30

Types 101, 102, 201 and 202:

Ireland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom.

Type 301a:

Ireland, United Kingdom.

Type 302a:

Ireland, United Kingdom

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country

National classification

methods intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate

Finland

Finnish macrophyte classification system (Finnmac)

0,8 (all types)

0,6 (all types)

Ireland

Free Macrophyte Index

0,9 (all types)

0,68 (all types)

Norway

National macrophyte index (Trophic Index — TIc)

Type 101: 0,98

Type 102: 0,96

Type 201: 0,95

Type 202: 0,99

Type 101: 0,87

Type 102: 0,87

Type 201: 0,75

Type 202: 0,77

Sweden

Trophic Macrophyte Index (TMI)

Type 101: 0,93

Type 102: 0,93

Type 201: 0,89

Type 202: 0,91

Type 101: 0,80

Type 102: 0,83

Type 201: 0,78

Type 202: 0,78

UK

Lake LEAFPACS 2 (*4)

0,8 (all types)

0,66 (all types)

UK

Free Macrophyte Index (*5)

0,9 (all types)

0,68 (all types)

NORTHERN LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Benthic invertebrates Fauna

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

Lake characterisation

Ecoregion

Altitude

(m absl)

Alkalinity (meq/l)

Colour (mg Pt/l)

Lake littoral acidification

 

 

 

 

L-N-BF1

Lowland/mid-altitude, low alkalinity, clear

n.d.

< 800

0,05  — 0,2

< 30

Lake profundal eutrophication

 

 

 

 

L-N-BF2

Ecoregion 22, low alkalinity, clear and humic

22

Area > 1 km2, max depth > 6 m

< 0,2

n.d.

Types L-N-BF1:

Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, Ireland, Finland

Types L-N-BF2:

Finland, Sweden

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country

National classification

methods intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good

Good-moderate

 

Lake littoral acidification

 

 

Norway

MultiClear: Multimetric Invertebrate Index for Clear Lakes

0,95

0,74

Sweden

MILA: Multimetric Invertebrate Lake Acidification index

0,85

0,60

UK

LAMM (Lake Acidification Macroinvertebrate Metric)

0,86

0,70

 

Lake profundal eutrophication

 

 

Finland

Revised Finnish lake invertebrate fauna assessment method (PICM)

0,80

0,60

Sweden

BQI (Benthic Quality Index)

0,84

0,67

NORTHERN LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Fish fauna

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

Lake characterisation

Lake area km2

Alkalinity (meq/l)

Colour (mg Pt/l)

L-N-F1

Dimictic clear water lakes

< 40

< 0,2

< 30

L-N-F2

Dimictic humic lakes

< 5

< 0,2

30 — 90

Types L-N-F1:

Ireland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom

Types L-N-F2:

Ireland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country

National classification

methods intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Eutrophication

Finland

EQR4

0,80

0,60

Ireland

FIL2

0,76

0,53

UK (Northern Ireland)

FIL2

0,76

0,53

Norway

EindexW3

0,75

0,56

Sweden

EindexW3

0,75

0,56

Acidification

Norway

AindexW5

0,74

0,55

Sweden

AindexW5

0,74

0,55

Water category

Lakes

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Cross-GIG Phytobenthos

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

Lake characterisation

Alkalinity (meq/l)

Ecoregions

HA

High alkalinity lakes

> 1

Alpine, Central-Baltic, Eastern Continental, Mediterranean

MA

Moderate alkalinity lakes

0,2  — 1

Alpine, Central-Baltic, Eastern Continental, Mediterranean, Northern

LA

Low alkalinity lakes

< 0,2

Northern

Types HA:

Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, Slovenia, United Kingdom

Types MA:

Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Sweden, United Kingdom

Types LA:

Finland, Ireland, Sweden, United Kingdom

Country a and Type

National classification

methods intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

HA type

Belgium (Flanders)

Proportions of Impact-Sensitive and Impact-Associated Diatoms (PISIAD)

0,80

0,60

Germany

Verfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul Phytobenthos

0,80

0,55

Hungary

MIL — Multimetric Index for Lakes

0,80

0,69

Ireland

Lake Trophic Diatom Index (IE)

0,90

0,63

Italy

Italian national method for the evaluation of the ecological quality of lake waterbodies using benthic diatoms (EPI-L)

0,75

0,5

Lithuania

Lithuanian Lake Phytobenthos Index

0,63

0,47

Poland

PL IOJ (Multimetryczny Indeks Okrzemkowy dla Jezior = Multimetric Diatom Index for Lakes)

0,91

0,76

Sweden

IPS

0,89

0,74

Slovenia

Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja jezer na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, fitobentos

0,80

0,60

UK

DARLEQ 2

0,92

0,70

MA type

Belgium (Flanders)

Proportions of Impact-Sensitive and Impact-Associated Diatoms (PISIAD)

0,80

0,60

Finland

Finnish lake phytobenthos method

0,80

0,60

Ireland

Lake Trophic Diatom Index (IE)

0,90

0,63

Italy

Italian national method for the evaluation of the ecological quality of lake waterbodies using benthic diatoms (EPI-L)

0,75

0,5

Romania

National (Romanian) Assessment Method for Natural Lakes Ecological Status based on Phytobenthos (Diatoms) RO-AMLP

0,80

0,60

Sweden

IPS

0,89

0,74

UK

DARLEQ 2

0,93

0,66

LA type

Ireland

Lake Trophic Diatom Index (IE)

0,90

0,66

UK

DARLEQ 2

0,92

0,70

Water category

Coastal waters

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Baltic Sea

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

Surface salinity (psu)

Bottom salinity

(psu)

Exposure

Ice days

Other Characteristics

BC1

0,5  — 6 Oligohaline

1 — 6

Exposed

90 — 150

Sites in the Quark and the Bothnian Sea, extending to the Archipelago Sea (for phytoplankton the latter is excluded and integrated in type BC9). Influence of humic substances

BC2

6 — 22 Mesohaline

2 — 6

Very Sheltered

 

Lagoons

BC3

3 — 6 Oligohaline

3 — 6

Sheltered

90 — 150

Finnish and Estonian coasts of Gulf of Finland

BC4

5 — 8 Lower mesohaline

5 — 8

Sheltered

< 90

Sites of Estonia and Latvia in the Gulf of Riga

BC5

6 — 8 Lower mesohaline

6 — 12

Exposed

< 90

Sites in the southeastern Baltic Sea along the coast of Latvia, Lithuania and Poland

BC6

8 — 12 Mid mesohaline

8 — 12

Sheltered

< 90

Sites along the Western Baltic Sea at the southern Swedish coast and the southeastern Danish coast

BC7

6 — 8 Mid mesohaline

8 — 11

Exposed

< 90

Western Polish coast and eastern German coast

BC8

13 — 18 Upper mesohaline

18 — 23

Sheltered

< 90

Danish and German coasts in the Western Baltic Sea

BC9

3 — 6 Lower mesohaline

3 — 6

Moderately exposed to exposed

90 — 150

Sites in the western Gulf of Finland, Archipelago Sea and Asko archipelago (only for phytoplankton)

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

Type BC1:

Finland Sweden

Type BC2:

Germany

Type BC3:

Estonia, Finland

Type BC4:

Estonia, Latvia

Type BC5:

Latvia, Lithuania

Type BC6:

Sweden, Denmark

Type BC7:

Germany, Poland

Type BC8:

Germany, Denmark

Type BC9:

Finland, Sweden, Estonia (type only relevant for phytoplankton)

BALTIC SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Phytoplankton

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country and Type

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

BC7

Germany

German coastal phytoplankton method

0,8

0,6

Poland

Polish coastal phytoplankton method

0,8

0,6

BC8

Denmark

Danish coastal phytoplankton method

0,8

0,6

Germany

German coastal phytoplankton method

0,8

0,6

Results for parameter indicative of biomass (Chlorophyll-a)

Country and Type

Ecological Quality Ratios

Values (μg/l)

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

BC1

Finland (Quark outer)

0,76

0,59

1,7

2,2

Finland (Bothnian Sea outer)

0,78

0,60

1,6

2,1

Sweden (Quark outer)

0,75

0,58

1,6

2,1

Sweden (Bothnian Sea outer)

0,80

0,60

1,5

2,0

BC4

Estonia

0,830

0,670

2,4

3,0

Latvia

0,82

0,67

2,2

2,7

BC5

Latvia

0,650

0,390

1,85

3,1

Lithuania

0,880

0,600

2,5

4,9

BC6

Denmark

0,78

0,62

1,36

1,72

Sweden

0,79

0,64

1,44

1,78

BC9

Estonia

0,82

0,67

2,20

2,70

Finland

0,79

0,65

1,90

2,30

Sweden

0,80

0,67

1,50

1,80

BALTIC SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Macroalgae and Angiosperms

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country and Type

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

BC3

Estonia

EPI — Estonian coastal water phytobenthos Index (macroalgae and angiosperms)

0,98

0,86

Finland

Fucus depth limit (macroalgae)

0,92

0,79

BC4

Estonia

EPI — Estonian Phytobenthos Index (macroalgae and angiosperms)

0,91

0,70

Latvia

PEQI — Phytobenthos Ecological Quality Index

0,90

0,75

BC5

Latvia

MDFLD — Maximum depth of the red alga Furcellaria lumbricalis distribution (macroalgae)

0,90

0,75

Lithuania

MDFLD — Lithuanian maximum depth of the red alga Furcellaria lumbricalis distribution (macroalgae)

0,84

0,68

BALTIC SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Benthic invertebrate fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country and Type

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

BC1

Finland

BBI — Finnish Brackish water Benthic Index

0,96

0,56

Sweden

BQI — Swedish multimetric biological quality index (soft sediment infauna)

0,77

0,31

BC3

Estonia

ZKI — Estonian coastal water macrozoobenthos community index

0,39

0,24

Finland

BBI — Finnish Brackish water Benthic Index

0,94

0,56

BC5

Latvia

BQI — Benthic quality index

0,87

0,61

Lithuania

BQI — Lithuanian benthic quality index

0,94

0,81

BC6

Denmark

Danish Quality Index version 2 (DKI ver2)

0,84

0,68

Sweden

BQI — Swedish multimetric biological quality index (soft sediment infauna)

0,76

0,27

BC7

Germany

MarBIT- Marine Biotic Index Tool

0,60

Poland

B — Macrozoobenthos BQE assessment by multimetric index

0,58

BC8

Denmark

Danish Quality Index version 2 (DKI ver2)

0,86

0,72

Germany

MarBIT — Marine Biotic Index Tool

0,80

0,60

Water category

Coastal waters

Geographical Intercalibration Group

North East Atlantic

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

Characterisation

Salinity (psu)

Tidal range (m)

Depth (m)

Current Velocity (knots) Exposure

Mixing

Residence Time

Type for opportunistic blooming macroalgae, seagrasses, saltmarshes and benthic invertebrate fauna

NEA 1/26

Open oceanic or enclosed seas, exposed or sheltered, euhaline, shallow

< 30

Mesotidal 1-5

< 30

Medium 1 — 3

Exposed or sheltered

Fully mixed

Days (to weeks in the Wadden Sea)

Subtypes for intertidal macroalgae

NEA 1/26 A2

Open oceanic, exposed or sheltered, euhaline, shallow, Temperate waters (mainly, > 13 oC) and high irradiance (mainly, PAR > 29 Mol/m2 day)

> 30

Mesotidal 1 — 5

< 30

Medium 1 — 3

Exposed or sheltered

Fully mixed Days

NEA 1/26 B21

Open oceanic or enclosed seas, exposed or sheltered, euhaline, shallow Cool waters (mainly, < 13 oC) and medium irradiance (mainly, PAR < 29 Mol/m2 day)

> 30 Mainly mesotidal 1 — 5 < 30

Medium 1 — 3 Exposed or sheltered

Fully mixed Days

Subtypes for phytoplankton

NEA 1/26a

Open oceanic, exposed or sheltered, euhaline, shallow

> 30 Mesotidal 1 — 5 < 30

Medium 1 -3 Exposed or sheltered

Fully mixed Days

NEA 1/26b

Enclosed seas, exposed or sheltered, euhaline, shallow

> 30 Mesotidal 1 — 5 < 30

Medium 1 — 3 Exposed or sheltered

Fully mixed Days

NEA 1/26c

Enclosed seas, enclosed or sheltered, partly stratified

> 30 Microtidal/Mesotidal < 1 — 5 < 30

Medium 1 — 3 Exposed or sheltered

Partly stratified Days to weeks

NEA 1/26d

Scandinavian coast, exposed or sheltered, shallow

> 30 Microtidal < 1 < 30

Low < 1 Exposed or moderately exposed

Partly stratified Days to weeks

NEA 1/26e

Areas of upwelling, exposed or sheltered, euhaline, shallow

> 30 Mesotidal < 1 < 30

Medium 1 — 3 Exposed or sheltered

Fully mixed Days

Types for phytoplankton, macroalgae, seagrasses, saltmarshes, benthic invertebrate fauna

NEA 5

Helgoland (German Bight), rocky, exposed and partly stratified

> 30

Mesotidal

< 30

Medium 1 — 3 Exposed

Partly stratified Days

NEA 3/4

Polyhaline, Exposed or moderately exposed (Wadden Sea type)

Polyhaline 18 — 30 Mesotidal 1 — 5 < 30

Medium 1 — 3 Exposed or moderately exposed

Fully mixed Days

NEA 7

Deep fjordic and sea loch systems

> 30 Mesotidal 1 -5 > 30

Low < 1 Sheltered

Fully mixed Days

NEA 8a

Skagerrak Inner Arc Type, polyhaline, microtidal, moderately exposed, shallow

Polyhaline 25 — 30 Microtidal < 1 > 30

Low < 1 Moderately exposed

Fully mixed Days to weeks

NEA 8b

Skagerrak Inner Arc Type, polyhaline, microtidal, moderately sheltered, shallow

Polyhaline 10 — 30 Microtidal < 1 < 30

Low < 1 Sheltered to moderately exposed

Partly stratified Days to weeks

NEA 9

Fjord with a shallow sill at the mouth with a very deep maximum depth in the central basin with poor deepwater exchange

Polyhaline 25 — 30 Microtidal < 1 > 30

Low < 1 Sheltered

Partly stratified Weeks

NEA 10

Skagerrak Outer Arc Type, polyhaline, microtidal, exposed, deep

Polyhaline 25 — 30 Microtidal < 1 > 30

Low < 1 Exposed

Partly stratified Days

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

Type NEA1/26 opportunistic blooming macroalgae, seagrasses, saltmarshes, benthic invertebrate fauna: Belgium, France, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom

Type NEA1/26 A2: intertidal macroalgae: France, Spain, Portugal

Type NEA1/26 B21: intertidal macroalgae: France, Ireland, Norway, United Kingdom

Type NEA1/26a phytoplankton: Spain, France, Ireland, Norway, United Kingdom

Type NEA1/26b phytoplankton: Belgium, France, Netherlands, United Kingdom

Type NEA1/26c phytoplankton: Germany, Denmark

Type NEA1/26d phytoplankton: Denmark

Type NEA1/26e phytoplankton: Portugal, Spain

Type NEA 5: Germany

Type NEA3/4: Germany, Netherlands

Type NEA7: Norway, United Kingdom

Type NEA8a: Norway, Sweden

Type NEA8b: Denmark, Sweden

Type NEA9: Norway, Sweden

Type NEA10: Norway, Sweden

NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton:

parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a)

Results:

Ecological quality ratios and parameter values

Parameter values are expressed in μg/l as the 90 %ile value calculated over the defined growing season in a six year period.

Country and Type

Ecological Quality Ratios

Values (μg/l)

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

NEA 1/26a

France

0,76

0,33

4,40

10,00

Ireland

0,82

0,60

9,90

15,00

Norway

0,67

0,33

2,50

5,00

Spain (Eastern Cantabrian coast)

0,67

0,33

1,50

3,00

Spain (Western-Central Cantabrian Coast)

0,67

0,33

3,00

6,00

Spain (Gulf of Cadiz coast)

0,67

0,33

5,00

10,00

United Kingdom

0,80

0,60

5,00

10,00

NEA 1/26b

Belgium

0,80

0,67

12,50

15,00

France

0,67

0,44

10,00

15,00

Netherlands

0,67

0,44

10,00

15,00

United Kingdom (south)

0,82

0,63

9,80

14,30

United Kingdom (north)

0,80

0,60

10,00

15,00

NEA 1/26c

 

 

 

 

Germany

0,67

0,44

5,0

7,5

Denmark

0,67

0,44

5,0

7,5

NEA 1/26e

Portugal (Iberian strong upwelling-A5)

0,670

0,440

8,000

12,000

Portugal (upwelling-A6,A7)

0,880

0,490

4,500

8,200

Spain (Western Iberian upwelling coast)

0,67

0,44

6,00

9,00

Spain (Western Iberian upwelling coast — rías)

0,67

0,44

8,00

12,00

NEA 3/4

Germany (Eems Dollard)

0,80

0,60

7,00

11,00

Germany (Wadden Sea)

0,80

0,60

7,00

11,00

Netherlands (Eems Dollard)

0,80

0,60

6,75

10,13

Netherlands (Wadden Sea)

0,80

0,60

9,60

14,40

Netherlands (North Sea)

0,80

0,60

11,25

16,88

NEA 8a

Norway

0,79

0,57

3,95

5,53

Sweden

0,75

0,49

1,54

2,35

NEA 8b (The Sound)

Denmark

0,79

0,59

1,22

1,63

Sweden

0,80

0,60

1,18

1,56

NEA 8b (The Kattegat and Great Belt)

Denmark

0,83

0,64

1,22

1,58

Sweden

0,84

0,65

1,18

1,52

NEA 9

Norway

0,76

0,43

3,92

6,90

Sweden

0,73

0,38

1,89

3,60

NEA 10

Norway

0,73

0,49

3,53

5,26

Sweden

0,71

0,46

1,39

2,14

NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Macroalgae and Angiosperms

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Macroalgae

Intertidal or subtidal macroalgae rocky bottom

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country and Type

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Type NEA1/26 A2 intertidal macroalgae

France

CCO — Cover, Characteristic species, Opportunistic species on intertidal rocky bottoms

0,80

0,60

Portugal

PMarMAT — Marine Macroalgae Assessment Tool

0,80

0,61

Spain

CFR — Quality of Rocky Bottoms

0,81

0,60

Spain

RICQI — Rocky Intertidal Community Quality Index

0,82

0,60

Spain

RSL — Reduced Species List

0,75

0,48

Type NEA1/26 B21 intertidal macroalgae

Ireland

RSL — Rocky Shore Reduced Species List

0,80

0,60

Norway

RSLA — Rocky Shore Reduced Species List with Abundance

0,80

0,60

United Kingdom

RSL — Rocky Shore Reduced Species List

0,80

0,60

Type NEA 7 intertidal macroalgae

 

Norway

RSLA — Rocky Shore Reduced Species List with Abundance

0,80

0,60

United Kingdom

RSL — Rocky Shore Reduced Species List

0,80

0,60

Type NEA8a/9/10 subtidal macroalgae

Norway

MSMDI — Multi Species Maximum Depth Index

0,80

0,60

Sweden

MSMDI — Multi Species Maximum Depth Index

0,80

0,60

NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Macroalgae and Angiosperms

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Macroalgae

Intertidal blooming macroalgae soft bottom, indicative of abundance

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country and Type

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Type NEA 1/26

Germany

OMAI — Opportunistic Macroalgae-cover/acreage on soft sediment intertidal in coastal waters

0,78

0,59

France

CWOGA — Macroalgal Bloom Assessment

0,825

0,617

Ireland

OGA tool — Opportunistic Green Macroalgal Abundance

0,80

0,60

United Kingdom

OMBT — Opportunistic macroalgal blooming tool

0,80

0,60

NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Macroalgae and Angiosperms

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Angiosperms

Seagrasses

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country and Type

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Type NEA 1/26

Germany

SG — Assessment tool for intertidal seagrass in coastal and transitional waters

0,80

0,60

France

SBQ — Seagrass beds quality in coastal and transitional water bodies

0,80

0,645

Ireland

Intertidal Seagrass tool

0,80

0,61

Netherlands

SG — Monitoring beds of SG per waterbody using aerial photographs, ground truth and specifying surface & density per species

0,80

0,60

Portugal

SQI — Seagrass quality index

0,80

0,60

United Kingdom

Intertidal Seagrass tool

0,80

0,61

Type NEA 3/4

Germany

SG — Bewertungssystem für Makroalgen und Seegräser der Küsten- und Übergangsgewässer zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie in Deutschland

0,80

0,60

Netherlands

Monitoring beds of SG per waterbody using aerial photographs, ground truth and specifying surface and density per species

0,80

0,60

NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Benthic invertebrate fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country and Type

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Type NEA 1/26

Belgium

BEQI — Benthic Ecosystem Quality Index

0,80

0,60

Denmark

Danish Quality Index (DKI)

0,80

0,60

Germany

M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index

0,85

0,70

France

M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index

0,77

0,53

Ireland

IQI — Infaunal Quality Index

0,75

0,64

Netherlands

BEQI2 -Benthic Ecosystem Quality Index 2

0,80

0,60

Norway

NQI — Norwegian Quality Index

0,72

0,63

Portugal

BAT — Benthic Assessment Tool

0,79

0,58

Spain

M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index

0,77

0,63

United Kingdom

IQI — Infaunal Quality Index

0,75

0,64

Type NEA 3/4

Germany

M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index

0,85

0,70

Netherlands

BEQI2 — Benthic Ecosystem Quality Index 2

0,80

0,60

Type NEA 7

Norway

NQI — Norwegian Quality Index

0,72

0,63

United Kingdom

IQI — Infaunal Quality Index

0,75

0,64

Type NEA 8b

Denmark

Danish Quality Index (DKI)

0,84

0,68

Sweden

BQI — Swedish multimetric biological quality index (soft sediment infauna)

0,71

0,54

Type NEA 8a/9/10

Norway

NQI — Norwegian Quality Index

0,82

0,63

Sweden

BQI — Swedish multimetric biological quality index (soft sediment infauna)

0,71

0,54

Water category

Coastal waters

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Mediterranean Sea

Description of types that have been intercalibrated (for phytoplankton only)

For benthic invertebrate fauna, macroalgae and seagrasses the intercalibration results apply to the entire Mediterranean Sea covered by the Country

Type

Description

Density (kg/m3)

Annual mean salinity (psu)

Type I

Highly influenced by freshwater input

< 25

< 34,5

Type IIA, IIA Adriatic

Moderately influenced by freshwater input (continent influence)

25 — 27

34,5  — 37,5

Type IIIW

Continental coast, not influenced by freshwater input (Western Basin).

> 27

> 37,5

Type IIIE

Not influenced by freshwater input (Eastern Basin)

> 27

> 37,5

Type Island-W*

Island coast (Western Basin)

All range

All range

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

Type I:

France, Italy

Type IIA:

France, Spain, Italy

Type IIA Adriatic:

Italy, Slovenia

Type Island-W* (no boundaries for this type and no possible the intercalibration due to justified reasons):

France, Spain, Italy

Type IIIW:

France, Spain, Italy

Type IIIE:

Greece, Cyprus

MEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton:

parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a)

Results:

Ecological quality ratios and parameter values

Parameter values are expressed in μg/l of Chlorophyll a, for the 90th percentile calculated over the year in at least a five year period.

Country and Type

Ecological Quality Ratios

Values (μg/l)

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Type II A

France

0,67

0,37

1,92

3,50

Spain

0,67

0,37

1,92

3,50

Type II A Adriatic

Croatia

0,82

0,61

1,70

4,00

Italy

0,82

0,61

1,70

4,00

Slovenia

0,82

0,61

1,70

4,00

Type IIIW

France

0,67

0,42

1,18

1,89

Spain

0,67

0,42

1,18

1,89

Type IIIE

Cyprus

0,66

0,37

0,29

0,53

Greece

0,66

0,37

0,29

0,53

MEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Macroalgae and Angiosperms

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Macroalgae

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

The following results apply to the upper infralittoral zone (3,5-0,2 m depth) in a rocky coasts:

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Cyprus

EEI-c — Ecological Evaluation Index

0,76

0,48

France

CARLIT — Cartography of Littoral and upper-sublittoral rocky-shore communities

0,75

0,60

Greece

EEI-c — Ecological Evaluation Index

0,76

0,48

Croatia

CARLIT — Cartography of Littoral and upper-sublittoral rocky-shore communities

0,75

0,60

Italy

CARLIT — Cartography of Littoral and upper-sublittoral rocky-shore communities

0,75

0,60

Malta

CARLIT — Cartography of Littoral and upper-sublittoral rocky-shore communities

0,75

0,60

Slovenia

Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja obalnega morja na podlagi makroalg

0,76

0,48

Spain

CARLIT — Cartography of Littoral and upper-sublittoral rocky-shore communities

0,75

0,60

MEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Macroalgae and Angiosperms

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Angiosperms

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Croatia

POMI — Posidonia oceanica Multivariate Index

0,775

0,55

Cyprus

PREI — Posidonia oceanica Rapid Easy Index

0,775

0,55

France

PREI — Posidonia oceanica Rapid Easy Index

0,775

0,55

Italy

PREI — Posidonia oceanica Rapid Easy Index

0,775

0,55

Malta

PREI — Posidonia oceanica Rapid Easy Index

0,775

0,55

Spain

POMI — Posidonia oceanica Multivariate Index

0,775

0,55

Spain

Valencian-CS

0,775

0,55

MEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Benthic invertebrate fauna

Biological Quality Element

 

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Italy

M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index

0,81

0,61

Slovenia

Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja obalnega morja na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev

0,83

0,62

Cyprus

Bentix

0,75

0,58

France

AMBI

0,83

0,58

Greece

Bentix

0,75

0,58

Spain

BOPA

0,95

0,54

Spain

MEDOCC

0,73

0,47

Water category

Coastal waters

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Black Sea

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

Description

CW-BL1

Mesohaline, microtidal (< 1 m), shallow (< 30 m), moderately exposed to very exposed, mixed substratum (fine sand for zoobenthos)

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated: Bulgaria and Romania

BLACK SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Phytoplankton

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Bulgaria

IBI

0,80

0,63

Romania

IBI

0,80

0,63

BLACK SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Macroalgae and Angiosperms

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Bulgaria

EI-Ecological index

0,837

0,644

Romania

EI-Ecological index

0,837

0,644

BLACK SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Benthic Invertebrate fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Bulgaria

M-AMBI(n) — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index Normalized

0,90

0,68

Romania

M-AMBI(n) — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index Normalized

0,90

0,68

Water category

Transitional waters

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Baltic Sea GIG

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

Surface salinity psu

Bottom salinity (psu)

Exposure

Ice days

Other Characteristics

BT1

0 — 8 Oligohaline

0 — 8

Very sheltered

Polish Vistula lagoon and Lithuanian Curonian lagoon

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

Lithuania and Poland

BALTIC SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element

Phytoplankton

Results for parameter indicative of biomass (Chrophyll a)

The following results refer to summer mean May/June — September

Country

Ecological Quality Ratios

Values (μg/l)

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Lithuania

0,83

0,57

31,70

46,60

Poland

0,77

0,61

33,46

42,20

Water category

Transitional waters

Geographical Intercalibration Group

North East Atlantic

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

Characterisation

Salinity (psu),

Tidal range (m), Depth (m)

Current Velocity (knots), Exposure

Mixing

Residence Time

NEA 11

Transitional Waters

0 — 35 Micro to macrotidal < 30

Variable Sheltered or moderately exposed

Partly permanently stratified Days to weeks

Countries sharing type that have been intercalibrated:

Belgium, Germany, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom

Description of sub common intercalibration types for Biological quality element Benthic Invertebrate Fauna:

Sub type

Characterisation

MS sharing sub-type

A

Lagoons

Ireland, Spain, United Kingdom

B

Freshwater-oligohaline, medium river flow

Ireland, Spain, United Kingdom

C

Mesotidal estuary with irregular river flow

Portugal, Spain

D

Large estuaries

Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom

E

Small-medium estuary with > 50 % intertidal area

Ireland, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom

F

Small-medium estuary with < 50 % intertidal area

Ireland, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom

NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element:

Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton:

parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a)

Results:

Ecological quality ratios and parameter values

Parameter values are expressed in μg/l measured as the national chlorophyll-a metric calculated in a six year period. National metrics for France, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain typically use a measure of P90 Chl-a with salinity adjusted thresholds, Ireland uses a combination of P90 Chl-a and median values, and United Kingdom uses a metric based on a count of exceedances of certain statistical measures. In the case of UK, P90 values were calculated only for IC purposes.

Country

Ecological Quality Ratios

Values (μg/l)

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

France

0,67

0,397

5,33

8,88

Ireland

0,80

0,60

12,96

25,96

Netherlands

0,80

0,60

12,00

18,00

Portugal-North

0,667

0,467

10,000

14,288

Spain — Central Cantabrian and Galician estuaries — Mixing zone (*6)

0,67

0,44

8,00

12,00

Spain — Central Cantabrian and Galician estuaries — Euhaline (*6)

0,67

0,33

4,00

8,00

Spain — East Cantabrian estuaries — Euhaline (*6)

0,67

0,33

1,95

3,90

Spain — East Cantabrian estuaries — Polyhaline (*6)

0,67

0,33

3,30

6,60

Spain — East Cantabrian estuaries — Mesohaline (*6)

0,67

0,33

5,10

10,20

Spain — East Cantabrian estuaries — Oligohaline (*6)

0,67

0,33

6,60

13,20

Spain — Gulf of Cádiz estuaries — Mixing zone (*6)

0,67

0,33

3,75

7,50

Spain — Gulf of Cádiz estuaries — Euhaline (*6)

0,67

0,33

3,00

6,00

United Kingdom

0,80

0,60

10,00

15,00

NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element:

Macroalgae and Angiosperms

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Macroalgae

Intertidal blooming macroalgae soft bottom, indicative of abundance

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

France

TWOGA — Macroalgal Bloom Assessment

0,80

0,60

Ireland

OGA Tool — Opportunistic Green Macroalgal Abundance

0,80

0,60

United Kingdom

OMBT- Opportunistic macroalgal blooming tool

0,80

0,60

NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element:

Macroalgae and Angiosperms

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Angiosperms

Seagrasses

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Germany

SG-Assessment tool for intertidal seagrass in coastal and transitional waters

0,80

0,60

France

SBQ-Seagrass beds quality in coastal and transitional water bodies

0,80

0,645

Ireland

Intertidal Seagrass tool

0,80

0,61

Netherlands

SG- Monitoring beds of SG per waterbody using aerial photographs, ground truth and specifying surface & density per species

0,80

0,60

Portugal

SQI-Seagrass quality index

0,800

0,600

United Kingdom

Intertidal Seagrass tool

0,80

0,61

NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element:

Macroalgae and Angiosperms

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Angiosperms

Saltmarshes

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Spain — Cantabria

AQI — Angiosperm Quality Index

0,88

0,73

Portugal

AQuA — Angiosperm Quality Assessment Index

0,800

0,600

United Kingdom

SM — UK Saltmarsh Tool

0,800

0,600

NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element:

Benthic invertebrate fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Sub type D

Germany

M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index

0,850

0,700

Netherlands

BEQI2 — Benthic Ecosystem Quality Index 2

0,800

0,600

Spain

M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index

0,770

0,530

Portugal

BAT — Benthic Assessment Tool

0,838

0,582

Sub type E

Spain

M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index

0,770

0,530

Spain

QSB — Quality of Soft Bottoms

0,800

0,600

Sub type F

Spain

M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index

0,770

0,530

Portugal

BAT- Benthic Assessment Tool

0,806

0,580

NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element:

Fish fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Belgium

EBI — Zeeschelde Estuarine Biotic Index

0,850

0,615

France

ELFI — Estuarine and Lagoon Fish Index

0,910

0,675

Germany

FAT — TW — Fischbasiertes Bewertungswerkzeug für Übergangsgewässer der norddeutschen Ästuare

0,840

0,620

Ireland

TFCI — Transitional Fish Classification Index

0,810

0,580

Ireland

EMFI — Estuarine Multi-metric Fish Index

0,920

0,650

Netherlands

FAT — TW — WFD Fish index for transitional waters, type O2

0,800

0,600

Portugal

EFAI — Estuarine Fish Assessment Index

0,865

0,700

Spain

AFI — AZTI’s Fish Index

0,780

0,550

Spain

TFCI — Transitional Fish Classification Index

0,900

0,650

United Kingdom

TFCI — Transitional Fish Classification Index

0,810

0,580

United Kingdom

EMFI — Estuarine Multi-metric Fish Index

0,920

0,650

Water category

Transitional waters

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Mediterranean Sea

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Common IC type

Type characteristics

MS sharing IC common type

CL-Oligohaline

Coastal lagoons (Salinity < 5 psu)

Spain, France, Italy

CL-Mesohaline chocked and restricted

Coastal lagoons (Salinity 5 — 18 psu)

Spain (*7), France (*7), Italy, Greece

CL-Polyhaline chocked and restricted

Coastal lagoons (Salinity 18 — 40 psu)

Spain (*7), France (*7), Italy, Greece

Hyperhalines (Salinity > 40 psu).

Hyperhalines (Salinity > 40 psu)

Spain

Estuaries

Estuaries (salt wedge type)

Spain, Croatia

MEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element:

Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country and type

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Coastal lagoons Polyhaline chocked

France

PhIL — Phytoplankton index for Mediterranean polyhaline lagoons

0,710

0,390

Greece

MPI — Multimetric Phytoplankton Index

0,780

0,510

Italy

MPI — Multimetric Phytoplankton Index

0,780

0,510

Coastal lagoons Polyhaline restricted

France

PhIL — Phytoplankton index for Mediterranean polyhaline lagoons

0,710

0,390

Greece

MPI — Multimetric Phytoplankton Index

0,820

0,540

Italy

MPI — Multimetric Phytoplankton Index

0,820

0,540

MEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element:

Macroalgae and Angiosperms

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

France

Exclame

0,8

0,6

Greece

EEI-c — Ecological Evaluation Index

0,7

0,4

Italy

MaQI — Macrophyte Quality Index

0,8

0,6

MEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS

Biological Quality Element:

Benthic invertebrate fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Country and Type

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Coastal lagoons Polyhaline restricted

France

M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index

0,84

0,63

Italy

M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index

0,96

0,71

Greece

M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index

0,83

0,62

CL-Mesohaline chocked and restricted

Italy

M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index

0,71

Greece

M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index

0,62

-- PART 2 --

Water category

Rivers

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Cross-GIG River fish fauna

Biological Quality Element

Fish fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods

Mediterranean group

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Italy

NISECI index (New Index of Ecological Status of Fish Communities)

0,80

0,60

Bulgaria

TsBRI (Type Specific Bulgarian Fish Index)

0,860

0,650

Water category

Rivers

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Cross-GIG Very Large Rivers

Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes and Phytobenthos

Sub-biological Quality Element

Phytobenthos

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated — Type R-L2

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Belgium (Flanders)

PISIAD index (Proportions of Impact-Sensitive and Impact-Associated Diatoms)

0,80

0,60

Water category

Lakes

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Alpine lakes

Biological Quality Element

Benthic invertebrates fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods

Country

National classification systems

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Italy

BQIES (Benthic Quality Index Expected Species number)

0,88

0,76

Biological Quality Element

Fish fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods

Country

National classification systems

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

France

ELFI (European Lake Fish Index): Indice Ichtyofaune Lacustre (IIL)

0,73

0,49

Water category

Lakes

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Central-Baltic lakes

Biological Quality Element

Phytoplankton

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods

Country

National classification methods

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

France

Phytoplankton Index for Lakes (IPLAC): Indice Phytoplancton Lacustre

0,80

0,60

Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes and Phytobenthos

Sub-biological Quality Element

Macrophytes

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods

Country

National classification methods

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

France

French Macrophyte Index for Lakes (IBML): Indice Biologique Macrophytique en Lacs

0,80

0,60

Biological Quality Element

Fish fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods

Country

National classification methods

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Belgium (Flanders)

Fish-based index for lakes and reservoirs in Flanders (Belgium)

0,80

0,60

Water category

Lakes

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Mediterranean lakes

Biological Quality Element

Phytoplankton

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods

Country

National classification methods

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

France

Phytoplankton Index for Lakes (IPLAC): Indice Phytoplancton Lacustre

0,80

0,60

Greece

HeLPhy — Hellenic Lake Phytoplankton Assessment Method

0,80

0,60

Italy

Italian phytoplankton assessment method (IPAM)

0,80

0,60

Biological Quality Element

Macrophytes and Phytobenthos

Sub-biological Quality Element

Macrophytes

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods

Country

National classification methods

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

France

French Macrophyte Index for Lakes (IBML): Indice Biologique Macrophytique en Lacs

0,80

0,60

Greece

HeLM — Hellenic Lake Macrophytes Assessment Method

0,80

0,60

Italy

VLMMI — Volcanic Lakes Multimetric Macrophyte Index

0,70

0,50

Biological Quality Element

Benthic Invertebrate fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods

Country

National classification methods

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Greece

GLBiI — Greek Lake Benthic invertebrate Index

0,80

0,60

Italy

BQIES (Benthic Quality Index Expected Species number)

0,88

0,76

Biological Quality Element

Fish fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods

Country

National classification methods

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

France

ELFI (European Lake Fish Index): Indice Ichtyofaune Lacustre (IIL)

0,73

0,49

Greece

GLFI — Greek Lake Fish Index

0,80

0,60

Italy

Lake Fish Index (LFI)

0,82

0,64

Water category

Lakes

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Eastern Continental lakes

Biological Quality Element

Fish fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods

Country

National classification methods

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Bulgaria

Bulgarian fish based method for ecological classification and monitoring of lakes

0,76

0,52

Water category

Coastal waters

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Baltic Sea

Biological Quality Element

Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton:

parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a)

Results:

Ecological quality ratios and parameter values

Country and Type

Ecological Quality Ratios

Values (μg/l)

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

BC2 (including German national types B1, B2a, B2b)

Germany (B1)

0,91

0,67

9,30

12,70

Germany (B2a)

0,89

0,67

1,80

2,40

Germany (B2b)

0,93

0,67

1,40

1,95

Biological Quality Element

Macroalgae and Angiosperms

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems

Country and Type

National classification systems

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

BC2

Germany

PHYBIBCO — PHYtoBenthic Index for Baltic inner coastal waters

0,80

0,60

BC1

Finland

Fucus depth limit(macroalgae)

0,90

0,74

Sweden

MSMDI (macroalgae and angiosperms)

0,60

0,40

BC6

Denmark

Depth limit of eelgrass, Zostera marina (angiosperm)

0,90

0,74

Sweden

MSMDI(macroalgae and angiosperms)

0,60

0,40

BC7

Germany

Balcosis — Baltic ALgae COmmunity AnalySIs System(macroalgae and angiosperms)

0,80

0,60

Poland

MQAI — Macrophyte Quality Assessment Index

0,90

0,70

BC8

Germany

Balcosis — Baltic ALgae COmmunity AnalySIs System(macroalgae and angiosperms)

0,80

0,60

Results:

Ecological quality ratios and parameters values for parameter indicative of abundance (Depth limit of eelgrass Zostera marina (angiosperm)

Country and Type

Ecological Quality Ratios

Parameter values/ranges Depth limit (m) Eelgrass Zoster marina

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

BC8

Denmark

Open coast

0,90

0,74

8,5

7

Biological Quality Element

Benthic Invertebrate fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems

Country and Type

National classification systems

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

BC2

 

 

 

Germany

MarBIT- Marine Biotic Index Tool

0,80

0,60

BC4

 

 

 

Estonia

ZKI — Estonian coastal water macrozoobenthos community index

0,39

0,24

Latvia

BQI — Benthic quality index

0,88

0,75

Water category

Coastal waters

Geographical Intercalibration Group

North East Atlantic

Biological Quality Element

Phytoplankton

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems

Country and Type

National classification systems

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

NEA 7

United Kingdom

Phytoplankton tool

0,80

0,60

Phytoplankton:

parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a)

Results:

Ecological quality ratios and parameter values

Parameter values are expressed in μg/l as the 90 %ile value calculated over the defined growing season in a six year period.

Country and Type

Ecological Quality Ratios

Values (μg/l)

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

NEA 1/26d

Denmark

0,66

0,50

3,00

4,00

NEA 5

 

 

 

 

Germany

0,67

0,44

5,00

7,50

NEA 7

 

 

 

 

Norway

0,67

0,33

2,50

5,00

United Kingdom (inshore/North Sea)

0,67

0,33

10,00

15,00

United Kingdom (Atlantic)

0,67

0,33

5,00

10,00

Biological Quality Element

Macroalgae and Angiosperms

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Macroalgae

Intertidal or subtidal macroalgae rocky bottom

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems

Country and Type

National classification systems

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Type NEA 5

 

 

 

Germany

HPI — Helgoland Phytobenthic Index

0,80

0,60

Biological Quality Element

Macroalgae and Angiosperms

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Macroalgae

Intertidal blooming macroalgae soft bottom, indicative of abundance

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems

Country

National classification systems

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

NEA 3/4

Germany

OMAI — Opportunistic Macroalgae-cover/acreage on soft sediment intertidal in coastal waters

0,80

0,60

Biological Quality Element

Macroalgae and Angiosperms

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Angiosperms

Saltmarshes

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems

Country

National classification systems

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Germany

EM — Assessment of saltmarsh vegetation in coastal and transitional waters

0,80

0,60

Ireland

SMAATIE — Saltmarsh Angiosperm Assessment Tool for Ireland

0,80

0,60

Netherlands

TSM — WFD-metrics for natural watertypes: tidal salt marsh

0,80

0,60

United Kingdom

SM — UK Saltmarsh Tool

0,80

0,60

Biological Quality Element

Macroalgae and Angiosperms

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems

Country and Type

National classification systems

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Type NEA 8b

Sweden

MSMDI (macroalgae and angiosperms)

0,80

0,60

Denmark

Depth limit of eelgrass Zostera marina (angiosperm)

0,90

0,74

Biological Quality Element

Benthic Invertebrate fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems

Country and Type

National classification systems

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Type NEA 1/26

Portugal

RAT — Rocky Shore Assessment Tool

0,800

0,600

Spain

BO2A — Benthic Opportunistic polychaetes/amphipods index

0,83

0,50

Type NEA 5*

Germany

MarBIT — Marine Biotic Index Tool

0,80

0,60

Water category

Coastal waters

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Mediterranean Sea

Biological Quality Element

Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton:

parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a)

Results:

Ecological quality ratios and parameter values

Parameter values are expressed in μg/l of Chlorophyll a, for the 90th percentile calculated over the year in at least a five year period.

Country and Type

Ecological Quality Ratios

Values (μg/l)

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Type I

France

0,670

0,330

4,925

10,000

Italy

0,850

0,620

5,600

14,100

Type II A Tyrrhenian

 

 

 

 

Italy

0,84

0,62

1,17

2,90

Type III W Adriatic

Italy

 

 

 

1,7  (*8)

Type III W Tyrrhenian

Italy

 

 

 

1,17  (*8)

Biological Quality Element

Macroalgae and Angiosperms

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Angiosperms

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems

Country

National classification systems

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Greece

CymoSkew

0,75

0,5

Water category

Transitional waters

Geographical Intercalibration Group

North East Atlantic

Biological Quality Element

Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton:

parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a)

Results:

Ecological quality ratios and parameter values

Parameter values are expressed in μg/l as the 90 %ile value calculated over the defined growing season

Country

Ecological Quality Ratios

Values (μg/l)

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Belgium

1,00

0,60

100

200

Biological Quality Element

Macroalgae and Angiosperms

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Angiosperms

Saltmarshes

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems

Country

National classification systems

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Belgium

TMQI -Tidal Marsh Quality Index

0,85

0,75

Germany

EM — Assessment of saltmarsh vegetation in coastal and transitional waters

0,80

0,60

Ireland

SMAATIE — Saltmarsh Angiosperm Assessment Tool for Ireland

0,80

0,60

Netherlands

TSM — WFD-metrics for natural watertypes: tidal salt marsh

0,80

0,60

Biological Quality Element

Macroalgae and Angiosperms

Sub-Biological Quality Element

Angiosperms

Seagrasses

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems

Country

National classification systems

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Spain — Cantabria

AQI — Angiosperms Quality Index

0,850

0,700

Biological Quality Element

Benthic Invertebrate fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems

Country and Type

National classification systems

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Belgium

BEQI — Benthic Ecosystem Quality Index

0,75

0,5

Sub type D

Germany

AeTV — Aestuar Type Verfahren

0,80

0,60

Ireland

IQI — Infaunal Quality Index

0,75

0,64

Spain

TasBEM — Taxonomically Sufficient Benthic Multimetric

0,79

0,66

United Kingdom

IQI — Infaunal Quality Index

0,75

0,64

Sub type E

Germany

AeTV — Aestuar Type Verfahren

0,80

0,60

Germany

M-AMBI -

0,85

0,70

Ireland

IQI — Infaunal Quality Index

0,75

0,64

Spain

TasBEM — Taxonomically Sufficient Benthic Multimetric

0,79

0,66

United Kingdom

IQI — Infaunal Quality Index

0,75

0,64

Sub type F

Ireland

IQI — Infaunal Quality Index

0,75

0,64

Spain

TasBEM — Taxonomically Sufficient Benthic Multimetric

0,79

0,66

United Kingdom

IQI — Infaunal Quality Index

0,75

0,64

Water category

Transitional waters

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Mediterranean Sea

Biological Quality Element

Phytoplankton

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems

Country and Type

National classification systems

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Coastal lagoons oligohaline and mesohaline

Spain (Balearic Islands)

FITOHMIB

0,93

0,73

Estuaries

Spain (Southern Coast)

TWIf — Phytoplankton index for transitional waters

0,50

0,36

Croatia

MPI — Multimetric Phytoplankton Index

0,80

0,60

Biological Quality Element

Benthic invertebrate fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems

Country and Type

National classification systems

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Coastal lagoons Oligohaline, Mesohaline and Polyhaline

Spain (Balearic Islands)

INVHMIB

0,93

0,73

Coastal lagoons Oligohaline

 

 

 

Spain (Northeastern Coast)

QAELS

0,86

0,58

Coastal lagoons Mesohaline

Spain (Northeastern Coast)

QAELS

0,72

0,62

Estuaries

Spain (without salt wedge — Southern Coast)

BO2A

0,87

0,45

Spain (with salt wedge — Southern Coast)

BO2A

0,87

0,52

Biological Quality Element

Fish fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems

Country

National classification systems

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Italy

HFBI — Habitat Fish Bio-Indicator

0,94

0,55

Croatia

M-EFI — Modified Estuarine Fish Index

0,80

0,60

Water category

Transitional waters

Geographical Intercalibration Group

Black Sea

Biological Quality Element

Phytoplankton

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems

Country

National classification systems

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Romania

IBI — Integrated Biological Index

0,70

0,42

Biological Quality Element

Benthic invertebrate fauna

Results:

Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems

Country

National classification systems

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate boundary

Romania

M-AMBI(n) — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index Normalized

0,90

0,68


(*1)  For the United Kingdom these results also apply to the common intercalibration types belonging to the Northern Geographical Intercalibration Group

(*2)  Will be used in England, Wales and Scotland

(*3)  High-Good boundary is not defined for reservoirs (both LM5/7 and LM8 types are reservoirs)

(*4)  Will be used in England, Wales and Scotland

(*5)  Will be used also in the UK (North Ireland)

(*6)  Salinity ranges stablished by the median (P50) salinity as follows: Euhaline [30,1-34,4] PSU; Polyhaline [18,1-30,0] PSU; Mesohaline [5,1-18,0] PSU; Oligohaline [0,5-5,0] PSU

(*7)  Spain and France do not consider distinction between restricted or chocked lagoons.

(*8)  The values are not national boundaries but threshold values


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