1. RT 1 : Ecological Status
Research area 1 : Developing and validating new Bioassessment tools
gaps for Transitional and Coastal waters (methods, taxonomy)
gaps for lakes (methods and taxonomy, notably for Mediterranean areas)
links between ecotoxicological tools and assessment tools based on the structure
role of spatial scales in the relative sensitivity of assessment tools (e.g. European vs. regional level)
knowledge concerning uncertainties
risk assessment
Research area 2 : Refining the knowledge about pressure-impacts relationships
links between hydromorphological pressures and biological responses
consequences of sediment contaminations by chemical pollutants on biological communities (from individuals to populations and communities)
to develop proxies based on existing knowledge and expertise to facilitate the analysis of pressure-impacts relationships

2. Research area 3 : Evolving toward a more functional and holistic approach of aquatic ecosystems
trophic networks to complement community structure attributes – links with resilience and stability
metacommunities functioning and ecosystems capacity of resilience in both reference and disturbed contexts
links between global changes (climate, fragmentation, exotics) and ecosystem functioning and assessment tools
Research area 4 : Reconnecting the socio-economical and biological issues
links between GES, Biodiversity and ecological services (y/c human health)
links between Good Ecological Potential and socio-economical aspects