1. 1 Intercalibration in the Eastern Continental Region 1 Dr. Ursula Schmedtje International Commission for the Protection of the Danube River

3. Eastern Continental IC Region EU Member States and Accession countries: Austria Czech Republic Slovak Republic Poland Hungary Slovenia Croatia Bulgaria Romania Greece Other countries in the Danube river basin: Serbia and Montenegro Bosnia i Herzegovina Moldova Ukraine Albania Macedonia 3

4. WFD Intercalibration 1) EU Intercalibration with EU MS and AC in 2005/2006: Austria Slovak Republic Hungary Bulgaria Romania 2) Danube Intercalibration with other countries in the Danube river basin in 2007/2008: Croatia Serbia and Montenegro Bosnia i Herzegovina Moldova Ukraine 4 Resolution of the ICPDR Standing Working Group Meeting on 16-17 September 2004

5. Eastern Continental river types TypeRiver characterisation Eco- region Catchment area AltitudeGeologySubstrate R-E1 Carpathians: small to medium, mid-altitude 1010-1000 km²500-800 msiliceousgravel and boulder R-E2 Plains: medium-sized, lowland 11 and 12100-1000 km²< 200 msiliceoussand and silt R-E3 Plains: large and very large, lowland 11 and 12>1000 km²< 200 mmixedsand, silt and gravel R-E4 Plains: medium-sized, mid-altitude 11 and 12100-1000 km²200-500 mmixed sand and gravel R-E5 Balkans: medium- sized, mid-altitude 5, 6 and 7 100-1000 km²200-500 mcalcareous gravel R-E6 Danube River: middle and downstream 11 and 12>13,1000 km² < 134 mmixed gravel and sand 5

6. Eastern Continental river types TypeRiver characterisationATSKHUBGROTotal R-E1Carpathians: small to medium, mid-altitude -3--1215 R-E2Plains: medium-sized, lowland -2411017 R-E3Plains: large and very large, lowland -342-9 R-E4Plains: medium-sized, mid-altitude 424-313 R-E6Danube River: middle and downstream -242311 Total4121652865 6

7. Questions discussed 7 Which quality elements shall be analysed? Which pressure should the indicated? organic pollution, hydromorphological degradation Which IC process option should be used? for R-E1 to R-E4: Hybrid of Option 2 and 3 for R-E6: possibly different approach, needs further discussion for R-E1 to R-E4: macroinvertebrates only for R-E-6: phytoplankton, phytobenthos, macrophytes and macroinvertebrates

8. Preparatory phase Select common metrics Test suitability of selected metrics on data set Compare sampling methods Overview of existing data (JDS and national) NO YES Collect additional data with agreed sampling method YES NO Agree on level of species determination for data analysis + Are there data gaps? Are the results comparable? Assess availability of WFD Method including definition of class boundaries Agree on common metrics for intercalibration

9. Calculate corresponding EQR values for common metrics Set EQR values for common metrics and for WFD methods Investigate reasons Major differences No major differences Make proposal for harmonisation GIG level MS level Identify IC sites representing agreed boundaries Apply national WFD methods and common metrics to data of IC sites (H/G and G/M) Agree on criteria for reference conditions Compare EQR values for common metrics Boundary setting procedure Prepare Danube intercalibration (2007/2008) Agree on common metrics for intercalibration

10. Available data and sampling techniques 10 Availability of taxa lists Sampling method Determination level AustriaFor all IC sitesAQEM-MHS 500 µm Species/genera if possible SlovakiaFor all IC sitesAQEM-MHS 500 µm Species/genera if possible HungaryFor almost all IC sites Kick & Sweep 950 µm Species/genera if possible* BulgariaFor all IC sitesKick Method 1000 µm Mainly family level RomaniaFor almost all IC sites Depends on substrate Species/genera if possible * except Chironomidae and Oligochaeta

11. WFD compliant method available? 11 WFD compliant method available? Currently used biological classification method AustriaYes SlovakiaNot yet (will be finalised by end 2004) HungaryNoModified BMWP/ASPT for Hungary BulgariaNoBiotic Index (Irish Q- Method) modif. for BG RomaniaNoSaprobic Index (for macro- invert. and phytoplankton)

12. Proposal for common metrics Current biological quality classification methods: Saprobic index based on macroinvertebrates BMWP/ASPT modified for Hungary Biotic Index modified for Bulgaria WFD compliant metrics: No. of taxa No. of EPT taxa Shannon-Weaver diversity index 12

13. Testing of common metrics Procedure: Test suitability of proposed metrics Test metrics of the AQEM/STAR data base on the existing data and identify useful metrics (to be prepared by consultant) Discuss results and agree on common metrics for IC exercise 13

14. Time-table for intercalibration 14 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Meeting

15. Work programme and time-table 1st Meeting: Preparatory steps for IC Define IC process in EC GIG Develop draft work programme and time-table Identify needs for external support Work to date: Data on site characteristics collected (HU missing as well as biological data in many cases) Consultant engaged for data analysis 15

16. Work programme and time-table Ongoing work: Complete data collection Comparison of sampling methods Comparison of sites identified as common type Setting up biological data base Testing of common metrics using AQEM/STAR data base Next meeting: 20 May 2005 in Bratislava 16

17. Thank you for your attention.