Alpine GIG Rivers Progress Report Gisela Ofenböck

Proposal for Alpine GIG Type River characterisation DE AT FR IT* ES SI R-A1 Pre-alpine - Small to medium, high altitude calcareous X R-A2 Alpine - Small to medium, high altitude, siliceous „hybrid option“: establish boundary values with national assessment methods (as in Option 3) Subsequent comparison of boundary values could then be done with the help of a common metrics method (as in Option 2). Two steps 1. Comparison using common metric 2. if there are major differences investigate reason (differences in sampling, methodology,…) Proposal for harmonisation procedure Adequate national data sets required!

Selected sensitive taxa Proposed key metrics Total # taxa # EPT taxa # selected (sensitive) taxa Taxa richness and general/habitat degradation ASPT Organic pollution Selected sensitive taxa Blephariceridae Perlodidae Cordulegastridae Empididae Taeniopterygidae Elmidae Ephemeridae Beraeidae Hydraenidae Heptageniidae Brachycentridae Helodidae Leptophlebiidae Glossosomatidae Astacidae Capniidae Goeridae Planaridae Chloroperlidae Lepidostomatidae Perlidae Odontoceridae

R-A1 R-A2

Other Quality Elements Fish phytobenthos macrophytes Italy - +/- France + Spain Slovenia Austria Germany ? IC concentrates on macroinvertebrates at first step to early to start IC for other QE right now  postpone to mid (end?) 2005, after first results of macro- invertebrates are available check possibilities for pilot IC for fish AT/FR/(SP?)

Timetable IC Results for Pilot IC: End of March2005 Common metrics, reference conditions, information on boundary setting on national level Next meeting April/May First results late spring/early summer If Boundaries are comparable – give description of boundary setting + prove that they are in line with normative definitions If there are big differences: start harmonisation procedure