Setting Classboundaries Elaborated for the REFCOND partner of the Netherlands RIZA - Ministry of Transport and Waterways by Royal Haskoning Roel Knoben & Arend de Wilde RIZA December 2001

Setting Classboundaries This presentation Based on a draft report Intention is to discuss aspects related with the setting of Classboundaries for the Ecological Quality Status for Rivers and Lakes RIZA December 2001

Setting Classboundaries This presentation Our position within the WFD - 2 minutes Interpretation of some relevant aspects of the WFD - 4 Principal results on Classboundaries of the Questionnaires - 8 Setting Classboundaries, theoretical and practical observations - 16 RIZA December 2001

Our position within the WFD

Classification of waterbodies within the WFD

Classification of waterbodies within the WFD

Classification of waterbodies within the WFD

Classification of waterbodies within the WFD

Classification of waterbodies within the WFD

Classification of waterbodies within the WFD

Classification of waterbodies within the WFD

Setting classboundaries is principally related to: Reference conditions Metrics - Methods of processing monitoringresults Ecological Quality Ratio Intercalibration excercise

Results of the Questionnaires

Results of the Questionnaires Actual use of quality elements for setting Classboundaries

Results of the Questionnaires Actual use of quality elements for setting Classboundaries Physico-chemical elements most used Hydromorphological elements seldom used

Results of the Questionnaires Actual use of quality elements for setting Classboundaries Biological elements Benthic invertebrate fauna and fish most frequently used for rivers Phytoplancton most frequently used for lakes

Results of the Questionnaires Actual use of quality elements for setting Classboundaries Physico-chemical elements More elements used for rivers Roughly the same importance for rivers and lakes

Results of the Questionnaires Number of actually used Classes for quality-elements

Results of the Questionnaires Number of actually used Classes for quality-elements Rivers Range 2-7 Average close to 5 Most variation in Physico-chemical elements

Results of the Questionnaires Number of actually used Classes for quality-elements Lakes Range 3-7 Average close to 5 Most variation in Biological elements

Conclusions of the questionnaires The questionnaire has given an insight in the actual use of the quality elements but not on how the classboundaries have been defined. There is no clear preference for a method for the setting of classboundaries There is insufficient knowledge of the inherent statistical errors of the used methods

Setting Classboundaries, practical observations theoretical and practical observations

The quality elements “one out-all out”

The quality elements / one out-all out Monitoring results

The quality elements / one out-all out

The quality elements / one out-all out

The quality elements / one out-all out

The quality elements / one out-all out

The quality elements / one out-all out

The quality elements / one out-all out

The quality elements / one out-all out monitoring

The quality elements / one out-all out WFD:Annex V:1.2.1 + 1.2.2. + Number of Q-elements Rivers Lakes High 10 9 Good 6 6 Moderate 4 4 + Fits to national systems + Integrates information avoiding ecological complications + More flexible through descriptors (climate change, succession)

The quality elements / one out-all out WFD:Annex V:1.2.1 + 1.2.2. + Number of Q-elements Rivers Lakes High 10 9 Good 6 6 Moderate 4 4 + Fits to national systems + Integrates information avoiding ecological complications + More flexible through descriptors (climate change, succession)

Annex V: 1.2.1

The quality elements / one out-all out WFD:Annex V:1.2.1 + 1.2.2. + Number of Q-elements Rivers Lakes High 10 9 Good 6 6 Moderate 4 4 + Fits to national systems + Integrates information avoiding ecological complications + More flexible through descriptors (climate change, succession)

The quality elements and classes Value Quality element Value environmental factor EQR = 1

The quality elements and classes Value Quality element Value environmental factor EQR = 1

The quality elements and classes Value Quality element Value environmental factor EQR = 1

The quality elements and classes Value Quality element Value environmental factor EQR = 1

The quality elements and classes Value Quality element Value environmental factor EQR = 1

Conclusions on Q-elements: Setting classboundaries requires the definition of the Q-elements The definition of the Q-elements has a fargoing practical impact The WFD is not completely clear

Theoretical approach on the classboundaries

Theoretical approach on the classboundaries

Theoretical approach on the classboundaries

Theoretical approach on the classboundaries

Theoretical approach on the classboundaries

Theoretical approach on the classboundaries

Theoretical approach on the classboundaries

Theoretical approach on the classboundaries

Theoretical approach on the classboundaries

Theoretical approach on the classboundaries ?

Theoretical approach on the classboundaries

Theoretical approach on the classboundaries Quality elements

Conclusions of the theoretical approach: RC=High status; boundary High/good defined boundary Good/moderate defined trough Q-elements + EQR

to set the Classboundaries Taking decisions to set the Classboundaries

Taking decisions to set the Classboundaries Monitoring Reference state Evaluation scientific scientific Classification arbitrary Quality classes Class boundaries political Compliance testing political Standards

to set the Classboundaries The process to set the Classboundaries

The process to set the Classboundaries Typify watertypes Select the reference conditions Select methods for monitoring EQR Define metrics Set the classboundaries Classify waterbodies

The process to set the Classboundaries Typify watertypes Set the high/good boundary Select the reference conditions Select methods for monitoring EQR Define metrics Set the good/ moderate boundary Classify waterbodies

The process to set the Classboundaries Typify watertypes Define the number of the Quality elements Set the high/good boundary Select the reference conditions Select methods for monitoring EQR Define metrics Set the good/ moderate boundary Classify waterbodies

The process to set the Classboundaries Typify watertypes Define the Quality elements Taxonomic level? Set the high/good boundary Select the reference conditions Select methods for monitoring Abundance? Composition? EQR Define metrics Linear gradient Ordination Scoring-system Set the good/ moderate boundary Classify waterbodies

The process to set the Classboundaries Typify watertypes Define the Quality elements Set the high/good boundary Select the reference conditions Select methods for monitoring Standards ISO, NEN EQR Define metrics Research/ monitoring Set the good/ moderate boundary Classify waterbodies

The process to set the Classboundaries Typify watertypes Define the Quality elements Set the high/good boundary Select the reference conditions Select methods for monitoring Standards ISO, NEN EQR Define metrics Research/ monitoring Intercalibration excercise Set the good/ moderate boundary Classify waterbodies

The process to set the Classboundaries Typify watertypes Define the Quality elements Set the high/good boundary Select the reference conditions Select methods for monitoring Standards ISO, NEN EQR Define metrics Research/ monitoring Intercalibration excercise Set the good/ moderate boundary National authorities European authorities Classify waterbodies

The process to set the Classboundaries Typify watertypes Define the Quality elements Set the high/good boundary Select the reference conditions Select methods for monitoring Standards ISO, NEN EQR Define metrics Research/ monitoring Intercalibration excercise Set the good/ moderate boundary Classify waterbodies

The process to set the Classboundaries Typify watertypes Define the Quality elements Set the high/good boundary Select the reference conditions Select methods for monitoring Standards ISO, NEN EQR Define metrics Research/ monitoring Intercalibration excercise Set the good/ moderate boundary Classify waterbodies

Final conclusions Most quality elements of the WFD are actually used for monitoring by the partnercountries The actually used quality elements are roughly divided in 5 qualityclasses Most partner countries utilize only a few of theses quality elements for monitoring The Reference condition is represented by a range of values and coincide with the High Status Setting Classboundaries is and arbitrary process based on political and scientifical concepts Classboundaries can be set only after defining the quality elements The quality elements should be only the 10 mentioned in the Annex V:1.2 Setting classboundaries has to be done in close interaction with the intercalibration exercise

Final conclusions Most quality elements of the WFD are actually used for monitoring by the partnercountries The actually used quality elements are roughly divided in 5 qualityclasses Most partner countries utilize only a few of theses quality elements for monitoring The Reference condition is represented by a range of values and coincide with the High Status Setting Classboundaries is and arbitrary process based on political and scientifical concepts Classboundaries can be set only after defining the quality elements The quality elements should be only the 10 mentioned in the Annex V:1.2 Setting classboundaries has to be done in close interaction with the intercalibration exercise

Final conclusions Most quality elements of the WFD are actually used for monitoring by the partnercountries The actually used quality elements are roughly divided in 5 qualityclasses Most partner countries utilize only a few of theses quality elements for monitoring The Reference condition is represented by a range of values and coincide with the High Status Setting Classboundaries is and arbitrary process based on political and scientifical concepts Classboundaries can be set only after defining the quality elements The quality elements should be only the 10 mentioned in the Annex V:1.2 Setting classboundaries has to be done in close interaction with the intercalibration exercise

Final conclusions Most quality elements of the WFD are actually used for monitoring by the partnercountries The actually used quality elements are roughly divided in 5 qualityclasses Most partner countries utilize only a few of theses quality elements for monitoring The Reference condition is represented by a range of values and coincide with the High Status Setting Classboundaries is and arbitrary process based on political and scientifical concepts Classboundaries can be set only after defining the quality elements The quality elements should be only the 10 mentioned in the Annex V:1.2 Setting classboundaries has to be done in close interaction with the intercalibration exercise

Final conclusions Most quality elements of the WFD are actually used for monitoring by the partnercountries The actually used quality elements are roughly divided in 5 qualityclasses Most partner countries utilize only a few of theses quality elements for monitoring The Reference condition is represented by a range of values and coincide with the High Status Setting Classboundaries is and arbitrary process based on political and scientifical concepts Classboundaries can be set only after defining the quality elements The quality elements should be only the 10 mentioned in the Annex V:1.2 Setting classboundaries has to be done in close interaction with the intercalibration exercise

Classboundaries can be set only after defining the quality elements Final conclusions Most quality elements of the WFD are actually used for monitoring by the partnercountries The actually used quality elements are roughly divided in 5 qualityclasses Most partner countries utilize only a few of theses quality elements for monitoring The Reference condition is represented by a range of values and coincide with the High Status Setting Classboundaries is and arbitrary process based on political and scientifical concepts Classboundaries can be set only after defining the quality elements The quality elements should be only the 10 mentioned in the Annex V:1.2 Setting classboundaries has to be done in close interaction with the intercalibration exercise

Final conclusions Most quality elements of the WFD are actually used for monitoring by the partnercountries The actually used quality elements are roughly divided in 5 qualityclasses Most partner countries utilize only a few of theses quality elements for monitoring The Reference condition is represented by a range of values and coincide with the High Status Setting Classboundaries is and arbitrary process based on political and scientifical concepts Classboundaries can be set only after defining the quality elements The quality elements should be only the 10 mentioned in the Annex V:1.2 Setting classboundaries has to be done in close interaction with the intercalibration exercise

Final conclusions Most quality elements of the WFD are actually used for monitoring by the partnercountries The actually used quality elements are roughly divided in 5 qualityclasses Most partner countries utilize only a few of theses quality elements for monitoring The Reference condition is represented by a range of values and coincide with the High Status Setting Classboundaries is and arbitrary process based on political and scientifical concepts Classboundaries can be set only after defining the quality elements The quality elements should be only the 10 mentioned in the Annex V:1.2 Setting classboundaries has to be done in close interaction with the intercalibration exercise