1. EurAqua 8th Scientific and Technical Review,
24-25 October 2001, Helsinki, Finland
"Good Ecological Status:
Reference Conditions for Surface Waters”
Recommendations
AP/FEI/

2. EurAqua - network of EU freshwater research organisations 1(2)
Its objective is to promote the transfer of knowledge on freshwater research and management between science and policy, at national, river basin and European Union level
thereby contributing to the protection and sustainable use of European freshwater resources and a better quality of life
EurAqua also aims at encouraging collaboration between researchers and between research institutes
as well as identifying and promoting areas of common freshwater-related research needs
AP/FEI/

3. EurAqua - network of EU freshwater research organisations 2(2)
Ultimately, this will lead to increased cost-effectiveness in European water research.
While doing so, the member organisations share experiences on the management of non-profit making freshwater research institutes.
Through its work, EurAqua also makes relevant expert advice readily available for application within the European Union.
AP/FEI/

4. EurAqua members 1(3)
The Environmental Protection Agency in the Republic of Ireland (EPA)
InterUniversity Programme in Water Resources Engineering in Belgium (IUPWARE)
The French Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering Research (Cemagref)
The Spanish Center for Public Works Research and Studies (CEDEX)
The Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA)
AP/FEI/

5. EurAqua members 2(3)
Centre for Ecology & Hydrology in the United Kingdom (CEH)
Swiss Federal Institute for Environmental Science and Technology (EAWAG)
Swedish Environmental Research Institute (IVL)
The Finnish Environment Institute (FEI)
The Federal Institute of Hydrology in Germany (BFG)
Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil in Portugal (LNEC)
AP/FEI/

6. EurAqua members 3(3) The Water Research Institute in Italy (IRSA)
DHI Water & Environment (Denmark)
Institut for Inland Water Management and Waste Water Treatment in the Netherlands (RIZA)
The Federal Agency for Water Management in Austria (BAW)
The National Technical University of Athens in Greece (NTUA)
AP/FEI/

7. Chairmanship
From until EurAqua is chaired by Lea Kauppi, Director General of the Finnish Environment Institute in Helsinki
Homepage:
AP/FEI/

8. STR8 "Good Ecological Status: Reference Conditions for Surface Waters”
8th EurAqua Scientific and Technical Review STR8 was held on October 2001 in Helsinki. The topic "Good Ecological Status: Reference Conditions for Surface Waters" gave an opportunity to the participants to provide recommendations on improving the knowledge base for the implementation of the Water Framework Directive. In particular, the STR8 aimed at supporting the work of the Working Group on Reference Conditions, thus contributing as water institutions to the implementation of the process.
AP/FEI/

9. STR8 "Good Ecological Status: Reference Conditions for Surface Waters”
A general recommendation of the STR8 was to improve the access of the research community to the work of the WFD working groups both at EU and at Member State level and to improve the dialogue between scientists and managers in general.
AP/FEI/

10. (1) With regard to the definition of reference conditions 1(2)
1. It is suggested to re-define reference condition into: "A situation with a hydro-morphological and physico-chemical regime sustaining a healthy ecosystem functioning with natural biodiversity"
2. There is support for the decision in the WG Refcond to re-define "slight deviation on biological parameters from the reference condition" into "minimal anthropogenic impact", but it raises the question "what is minimal?"
3. If there is a reference site in the district (or close to it) it should preferably be used to define reference conditions
4. Identify reference conditions for identified types as close as possible (e.g. in neighbouring countries) within the same district
AP/FEI/

11. (1) With regard to the definition of reference conditions 2(2)
5. Define reference conditions for different stretches of a river system, and not for the complete system
6. Expert judgement will be needed throughout
7. To focus the identification of thresholds more on causes of alteration processes than on status variables
8. Reference conditions should also be intercalibrated;
9. There is a need to distinguish between setting reference conditions, which is a scientific process and goal-setting, which is part of a political process.
AP/FEI/

12. (2) With regard to the values representing reference conditions:
1. Make use of pristine conditions if available, otherwise use modelling to define historical status (no fixed date).
AP/FEI/

13. (3) With regard to the spatial and temporal variability of values
1. To account for spatial variability (especially lakes), identification of representative sites or stretches is needed.
Streams should be divided in stretches, which are homogenous in hydromorphological conditions and human impact
2. To account for the temporal variability it is necessary to define
i. the biological indicators
ii. the time horizon
iii. the frequency for sampling
iv. statistical descriptors to represent data.
AP/FEI/

14. (4) With reference to the establishment of class boundaries
(slight/moderate changes compared to type-specific parameters)
1. To consider expert judgement needed, technical possibilities, intercalibration and the different scales for different biological elements
2. Initiate a continuous dialogue between water managers and scientists to define common perception of class boundaries (so: start a joint process)
3. Joint inspection (scientists and water managers), assessing various locations.
AP/FEI/

15. Recommendations regarding research needs : 1(3)
Needs for reviews and assessments
1. Organising and assessment of multidisciplinary databases
2. Evaluation of existing classification systems to identify underlying principles of high, good and moderate ecological status
3. Review the scientific content of all products related to the implementation of WFD
4. Promote application of paleoecological methods for types of water bodies for which pristine conditions cannot be found today
AP/FEI/

16. Recommendations regarding research needs : 2(3)
Needs to develop techniques and methodologies
1. Optimisation of the monitoring network and the monitored parameters through the development of indicators and their monitoring methods
2. Develop spatial techniques to account for the spatial variability of lakes (statistics and integration)
3. Development of a methodology to arrive at scientifically sound "reference conditions"
4. Development of techniques to integrate indices for different biological elements in order to obtain a classification of ecological status
5. Development of methodologies to handle artificial and heavily modified water bodies
6. Development of modeling tools (in particular ecological models), decision support systems and tools to account for socio-economic aspects
AP/FEI/

17. Recommendations regarding research needs : 2(3)
Needs for research, lack of knowledge
1. More knowledge on the response of each biological element along the gradient of human impact (degradation and recovery process)
2. Increase knowledge on inter- and intra-annual variability of biological elements
3. Better understanding of the impact of combined pressures to provide the basis for developing functional models for restoration measures and priorities
4. Establish the interrelationships relating changes in ecological status to its causes
5. Echance the expertise of taxonomic knowledge in the scientific community
AP/FEI/

18. Additional comments
Deadlines for WFD Implementation process may not allow development of new long-term research projects, particularly in the field of reference conditions and classification. Application of existing research results is therefore a priority in this field.
AP/FEI/

19. Recommendations, especially for lakes
To account for spatial variability (especially lakes), identification of representative sites or stretches is needed.
Develop spatial techniques to account for the spatial variability of lakes (statistics and integration)
Increase knowledge on inter- and intra-annual variability of biological elements
Promote application of paleoecological methods for types of water bodies for which pristine conditions cannot be found today
Development of techniques to integrate indices for different biological elements in order to obtain a classification of ecological status
AP/FEI/