Lakes in cold ecoregions

– Indicators in current use –

How are lakes in cold ecoregions presently monitored? Which parameters are used to detect degradation and change? Are they also reflecting Climate Change impacts?

We give an overview of indicators, which are presently used, mainly for the purpose of the Water Framework Directive. This section is presently restricted to selected countries and water types, which provide a useful overview of the variety of indicators presently used.

Biological parameters

DJ-Index

Indicator name	DJ-Index
Indicator abbreviation	DJ-Index
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Benthic invertebrates
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Abundance, composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The DJ-index comprises of five separate indices that make up a multimetric index. These are: Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT), number of Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) taxa, the relative abundance of Crustacea, the relative abundance of EPT taxa, and the Saprobic index according to Zelinka & Marvan (1961).

Description (aim, method)

A stream section is assessed using kick-sampling of benthic macroinvertebrates and from the taxa list the five individual indices are calculated. Each index is then scored from 1 to 3 which makes up the total index value of the DJ-index which lies between 5 and 15 with 15 being high ecological status (i.e the best) and 5 being bad ecological status (i.e. the worst). The metric thus decline with increasing eutrophication and probably also partly with increasing hydromorphological stress as these two stress types (eutrophication and hydromorphological stress) often coincide.

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change, the response of the individual taxa making up each index might also change and the relationship between nutrient additions and index values might also change (e.g. to a non-linear relationship). This may require modification of indices used, the indicators values for individual taxa within each index, changing the threshold values for each individual score of an index or additional indices being added.

Stressor addressed

Eutrophication, general degradation

Stressor influence on indicator

The index is set up based on five single indicators that have been found to respond linearly to increasing nutrient addition. Each index is given a score from 1 to 3 and thus the index ranges in score from 5 to 15 with 15 being high ecological status and 5 being bad ecological status.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish streams. Has been developed for streams between 15 and 250 km² catchment area and not much testing has been done outside this range.

Organisation in charge of development

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Dahl, J., Johnson, R.K. & Sandin, L. (2004): Detection of organic pollution of streams in southern Sweden using benthic macroinvertebrates. Hydrobiologia 516: 161-172.

Average Score per Taxon

Indicator name	Average Score per Taxon
Indicator abbreviation	ASPT
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Benthic invertebrates
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The ASPT index is a core metric of the DJ-index, module "general degradation".

Description (aim, method)

A stream/lake section is assessed using kick-sampling of benthic macroinvertebrates and determined. Families with low tolerance are given high indicator values, whereas low indicator values are attributed to families with high tolerance. The ASPT index calculation is based on the average value of each taxa (families) sampled is calculated by summing up the indicator values and their division by numbers of taxa (families) sampled. A high ASPT index values indicates thus high ecological status and low values indicate bad/degraded ecological status. The metric thus decline with increasing eutrophication and probably also partly with increasing hydromprophological stress as these two stress types (eutrophication and hydromorphological stress) often coincide.

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change, the response of the individual taxa making up the index might also change. This may require modification of indicator values for individual taxa.

Stressor addressed

Eutrophication, general degradation

Stressor influence on indicator

Average Score per Taxon (ASPT), which is derived from the community biotic score divided by the number of taxa represented. In general, the higher the number of taxa present, the better the biological quality of the reach, especially where the ASPT values are high (greater than 5.5).

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish lakes & streams.

Organisation in charge of development

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Armitage, P.D., Moss, D. Wright, J.F. & M.T. Furse. 1983. The performance of a new biological water quality score system based on on macroinvertebrates over a wide range of unpolluted running-waters. Water Research 17: 333–347.

Number of Ephemeroptera, Plecotera, Trichoptera (EPT) taxa [Number of EPT taxa]

Indicator name	Number of Ephemeroptera, Plecotera, Trichoptera (EPT) taxa
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Benthic invertebrates
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The number of EPT taxa is a core metric of the DJ-index, module "general degradation".

Description (aim, method)

The metric sums up number of taxa of the orders Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera. The metric consider species diversity und thus diversity of undisturbed habitats. The metric response is more sensitive to stress then total number of taxa, since the EPT taxa includes generally intolerant taxa. Many species require undisturbed habitats, thus a high number of EPT taxa indicates undisturbed,streams and lakes with high habitat diversity and high species diversity.

Climate change influence

Taxa considered in the EPT taxa metric depend often on the oxygen concentration which declines with increasing organic pollution and temperature. Larval stages of many taxa require good oxygenation of water, and might thus be negatively influenced.Overall, taxonomic diversity of communities might be reduced and generalist taxa become dominant.

Stressor addressed

Eutrophication, general degradation

Stressor influence on indicator

The number of EPT taxa declines when degradation increases.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish lakes & streams.

Organisation in charge of development

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Relative abundance of Ephemeroptera, Plecotera, Trichoptera (EPT) taxa

Indicator name	Relative abundance of Ephemeroptera, Plecotera, Trichoptera (EPT) taxa
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Benthic invertebrates
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Abundance, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The relative abundance of EPT taxa is a core metric of the DJ-index, module "general degradation".

Description (aim, method)

The metric sums up the relative abundance of taxa of the orders Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera. The metric consider species diversity und thus diversity of undisturbed habitats. The metric response is more sensitive to stress then total number of taxa, since the EPT taxa includes generally intolerant taxa. Many species require undisturbed habitats, thus a high number of EPT taxa indicates undisturbed,streams and lakes with high habitat diversity and high species diversity.

Climate change influence

The relative abundances of EPT taxa might be changed due to changes in oxygen concentration which declines with increasing organic pollution and temperature. Larval stages of many taxa require good oxygenation of water, and might thus be negatively influenced.

Stressor addressed

Eutrophication, general degradation

Stressor influence on indicator

The relative abundance of EPT taxa declines when degradation increases.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish lakes & streams.

Organisation in charge of development

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Relative abundance of Crustacea

Indicator name	Relative abundance of Crustacea
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Benthic invertebrates
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Abundance, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The relative abundance Crustacea is a core metric of the DJ-index, module "general degradation".

Description (aim, method)

The metric sums up the relative abundance of taxa of the order Crustacea.

Climate change influence

The relative abundances Crustacea might be changed due to changes in water quality with increasing organic pollution and temperature.

Stressor addressed

Eutrophication, general degradation

Stressor influence on indicator

The relative abundance of Crustacea taxa decreases when degradation increases.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish lakes & streams.

Organisation in charge of development

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Saprobic index

Indicator name	Saprobic index
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Benthic invertebrates
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Abundance, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The Saprobic index is a core metric of the DJ-index, module "general degradation".

Description (aim, method)

The saprobic rate is the intensity of bio-degradation of organic substance. The saprobic index is “a degree to specify the loading of easy degradable organic matter in flowing waters” The determination of the Saprobic index is due to that different organisms have different saprobic rates. The saprobic rates were determinated with empirical studies. The frequency of occurrence of different species is used as a measurement for the saprobic index of the river. The saprobic index is determinated by calculating the loading (Number of individuals x saprobic rates of species), which are between I (no loading - good quality) to IV (excessive loading).

Climate change influence

The saprobic loads and thus the index value might change due to changes in oxygen concentration which declines with increasing organic pollution and temperature. Larval stages of many taxa require good oxygenation of water, and might thus be negatively influenced.

Stressor addressed

Eutrophication, general degradation

Stressor influence on indicator

The index values increaes with increasing stress.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish lakes & streams.

Organisation in charge of development

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Zelinka, M & P. Marvan. 1961. Zur präzisierung der biologischen klassifikation der reinheit fließender gewässer. - Arch. Hydrobiol. 57: 389-407.

Multimetric index for stream invertebrates

Indicator name	Multimetric index for stream invertebrates
Indicator abbreviation	MISA Index
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Benthic invertebrates
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Abundance, composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The index comprises of six separate indices that make up a multimetric index. These are: number of families, number of taxa of Gastropoda, number of taxa of Epehemeroptera, the ratio of the abundance of Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera, the AWIC index (Davy-Bowker et al., 2005), and percentage shredders.

Description (aim, method)

A stream section is assessed using kick-sampling of benthic macroinvertebrates; from the taxa list the six individual indices are calculated. Each index is then scored from 1 to 10 which makes up the total index value of the MISA-index which lies between 0 and 100, with 100 being high ecological status (i.e the best) and 0 being bad ecological status (i.e. the worst). The metric thus declines with increasing acid stress.

Climate change influence

As acid stress and temperature conditions change, the response of individual taxa making up each of the individual indices might change. Especially if climate change will also mean that the humic content of the water will increase (the water will become more brown). This may require modification of indices used, the indicators values for individual taxa within each index, changing the threshold values for each individual score of an index or additional indices being added.

Stressor addressed

Acid stress

Stressor influence on indicator

The index is set up based on six single indicators that have been found to respond linearly to acid stress. Each index is given a score from 1 to 10 and the sum of the indices is then normalised to give a final score between 0 and 100 with a high ecological status being related to a high index value and a low value of the index to low ecological status.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish stream types. Has been developed for streams between 15 and 250 km² catchment area and not much testing has been done outside this range.

Organisation in charge of development

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Johnson, R.K. & Goedkoop, W. Bedömningsgrunder för bottenfauna i sjöar och vattendrag – Användarmanual och bakgrundsdokument. Report (2007): 4. Department of Environmental Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.

Number of families

Indicator name	Number of families
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Benthic invertebrates
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Composition
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The number of families is a core metric of the MISA index, module "acid stress".

Description (aim, method)

A stream section is assessed using kick-sampling of benthic macroinvertebrates and the number of families is determined.

Climate change influence

As acid stress and temperature conditions change, the number of families might decrease.

Stressor addressed

Acid stress

Stressor influence on indicator

The number of families generally declines with increasing acid stress.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish stream types. Has been developed for streams between 15 and 250 km² catchment area and not much testing has been done outside this range.

Organisation in charge of development

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Number of Gastropoda taxa

Indicator name	Number of Gastropoda taxa
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Benthic invertebrates
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The number of Gastropada taxa is a core metric of the MISA index, module "acid stress".

Description (aim, method)

A stream section is assessed using kick-sampling of benthic macroinvertebrates and the number of Gastropoda taxa is determined.

Climate change influence

As acid stress and temperature conditions change, the number of Gastropoda taxa might decrease. As Gastropoda essentially needs calciumcarbonate for shell construction the loss of this constituents due to acid stress will considerably decrease their taxa richness.

Stressor addressed

Acid stress

Stressor influence on indicator

The number of Gastropoda taxa generally declines with increasing acid stress.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish stream types. Has been developed for streams between 15 and 250 km² catchment area and not much testing has been done outside this range.

Organisation in charge of development

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Number of Ephemeroptera taxa

Indicator name	Number of Ephemeroptera taxa
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Benthic invertebrates
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The number of Ephemeroptera taxa is a core metric of the MISA index, module "acid stress".

Description (aim, method)

A stream section is assessed using kick-sampling of benthic macroinvertebrates and the number of Ephemeroptera taxa is determined.

Climate change influence

Although some mayflies may tolerate low pH levels, as acid stress decreases the number of Ephemeroptera taxa will decline due to their sensitivity to acid conditions.

Stressor addressed

Acid stress

Stressor influence on indicator

The number of Ephemeroptera taxa generally declines with increasing acid stress.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish stream types. Has been developed for streams between 15 and 250 km² catchment area and not much testing has been done outside this range.

Organisation in charge of development

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Ratio of relative abundance of Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera

Indicator name	Ratio of relative abundance of Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Benthic invertebrates
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Abundance, composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The ratio of the relative abundance of Ephemeroptera and Plecotera is a core metric of the MISA index, module "acid stress".

Description (aim, method)

A stream section is assessed using kick-sampling of benthic macroinvertebrates and the relative abundances of both Ephemeroptera and Plecoptera are determined. The ratio is calculated by dividing the abundance of Ephemeroptera by abundance of Plecoptera.

Climate change influence

As Plecoptera taxa are rather tolerant to acid conditions, but Ephemeroptera are rather intolerant, the ratio of their abundances decreases with increasing acid stress.

Stressor addressed

Acid stress

Stressor influence on indicator

The abundance of Ephemeroptera generally declines with increasing acid stress, but the abundance of Plecoptera might increase as they are more tolerant to acid conditions. Thus, the ratio of both abundance metrics will be low at low pH.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish stream types. Has been developed for streams between 15 and 250 km² catchment area and not much testing has been done outside this range.

Organisation in charge of development

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

AWIC index [Acid waters indicator community index]

Indicator name	AWIC index
Indicator abbreviation	AWIC
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Benthic invertebrates
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Abundance, composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The AWIC index is a core metric of the MISA index, module "acid stress".

Description (aim, method)

A stream section is assessed using kick-sampling of benthic macroinvertebrates and determined. Families with high sensitivity are given high indicator values, whereas low indicator values are attributed to families with high tolerance. The AWIC index calculation is based on the average value of each taxa (families) sampled and is calculated by summing up the indicator values and their division by numbers of taxa (families) sampled. A high AWIC index values indicate thus high ecological status (low acidity) and low values indicate acid conditions. The metric thus decline with increasing acidification.

Climate change influence

As acid stress and temperature conditions change, the response of individual families making up the index might change. With increasing acid conditions, the index value will decrease due to the loss of sensitive taxa (families).

Stressor addressed

Acid stress

Stressor influence on indicator

The AWIC index is derived from the community biotic score divided by the number of families represented. In general, the higher the number of taxa present, the better the biological quality of the reach, especially where the AWIC values are high.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish stream types. Has been developed for streams between 15 and 250 km² catchment area and not much testing has been done outside this range.

Organisation in charge of development

Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Winfrith Technology Centre, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 8ZD, United Kingdom

Organisation in charge of application

Reference

Davy-Bowker, J., J.F. Murphy, G.P. Rutt, J.E.C. Steel & M.T. Furse. 005. The development and testing of a macroinvertebrate biotic index for detecting the impact of acidity on streams. Arch Hydrobiol. 163: 383-403.

% shredders

Indicator name	% shredders
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Benthic invertebrates
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Composition
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The measure of % shredders is a core metric of the MISA index, module "acid stress".

Description (aim, method)

A stream section is assessed using kick-sampling of benthic macroinvertebrates and the percentage of Shredders is determined.

Climate change influence

Possibly the acidification situation will improve with climate change and thus the % shredders might decrease.

Stressor addressed

Acid stress

Stressor influence on indicator

The % of shredders generally increase with increasing acidification.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish stream types. Has been developed for streams between 15 and 250 km² catchment area and not much testing has been done outside this range.

Organisation in charge of development

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Multimetric index for lake acidification

Indicator name	Multimetric index for lake acidification
Indicator abbreviation	MILA Index
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Benthic invertebrates
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Abundance, composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The index comprises of six separate indices that make up a multimetric index. These are: ratio of abundance of Ephemeroptera to the rest of the invertebrate sample, ratio of abundance of Diptera to the rest of the sample, number of taxa of Gastropoda, number of taxa of Ephemeroptera, the AWIC index (Davy-Bowker et al., 2005), the ratio of predators in the sample.

Description (aim, method)

An exposed littoral zone section is assessed using kick-sampling of benthic macroinvertebrates and from the taxa list the six individual indices are calculated. Each index is then scored from 1 to 10 which makes up the total index value of the MILA-index which lies between 0 and 100, with100 being high ecological status (i.e the best) and 0 being bad ecological status (i.e. the worst). The metric thus declines with increasing acid stress.

Climate change influence

Stressor addressed

Acid stress

Stressor influence on indicator

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish lake littoral habitats. Has been developed for lakes with a lake area between < 0.5 km to 10 km² area. Not much testing has been done outside this range.

Organisation in charge of development

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Ratio of abundance of Ephemeroptera to the rest of the sample

Indicator name	Ratio of abundance of Ephemeroptera to the rest of the sample
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Benthic invertebrates
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Abundance, composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The ratio of Ephemeroptera abundance to the rest of the sample is a core metric of the MILA index, module "acid stress".

Description (aim, method)

An exposed littoral zone section is assessed using kick-sampling of benthic macroinvertebrates and the relative abundances of both Ephemeroptera and other taxa in the sample is determined.

Climate change influence

Although some mayflies may tolerate low pH levels, as acid stress decreases the abundance of Ephemeroptera taxa will decline due to their sensitivity to acid conditions. Thus in relation to abundances of remaining taxa of the sample, the abundance of Ephemeroptera will be low and thus the will decrease.

Stressor addressed

Acid stress

Stressor influence on indicator

The abundance of Ephemeroptera generally declines with increasing acid stress.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish lake littoral habitats. Has been developed for lakes with a lake area between < 0.5 km to 10 km² area. Not much testing has been done outside this range.

Organisation in charge of development

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Ratio of abundance of Diptera to the rest of the sample

Indicator name	Ratio of abundance of Diptera to the rest of the sample
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Benthic invertebrates
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Abundance, composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The ratio of Diptera abundance to the rest of the sample is a core metric of the MILA index, module "acid stress".

Description (aim, method)

An exposed littoral zone section is assessed using kick-sampling of benthic macroinvertebrates and the relative abundances of both Diptera and other taxa in the sample is determined.

Climate change influence

As acid stress and temperature conditions change, the abundance of Diptera might decrease and simultaneously acid sensitive organisms might increase.

Stressor addressed

Acid stress

Stressor influence on indicator

The abundance of Diptera generally increases with increasing acid stress and at the same time the abundance of acid sensitive organisms decreases.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish lake littoral habitats. Has been developed for lakes with a lake area between < 0.5 km to 10 km² area. Not much testing has been done outside this range.

Organisation in charge of development

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Number of Gastropoda taxa

Indicator name	Number of Gastropoda taxa
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Benthic invertebrates
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The number of Gastropada taxa is a core metric of the MILA index, module "acid stress".

Description (aim, method)

An exposed littoral zone section is assessed using kick-sampling of benthic macroinvertebrates and the number of Gastropoda taxa is determined.

Climate change influence

Stressor addressed

Acid stress

Stressor influence on indicator

The number of Gastropoda taxa generally declines with increasing acid stress.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish lake littoral habitats. Has been developed for lakes with a lake area between < 0.5 km to 10 km² area. Not much testing has been done outside this range.

Organisation in charge of development

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Number of Ephemeroptera taxa

Indicator name	Number of Ephemeroptera taxa
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Benthic invertebrates
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The number of Ephemeroptera taxa is a core metric of the MILA index, module "acid stress".

Description (aim, method)

An exposed littoral zone section is assessed using kick-sampling of benthic macroinvertebrates and the number of Ephemeroptera taxa is determined.

Climate change influence

Although some mayflies may tolerate low pH levels, as acid stress decreases the number of Ephemeroptera taxa will decline due to their sensitivity to acid conditions.

Stressor addressed

Acid stress

Stressor influence on indicator

The number of Ephemeroptera taxa generally declines with increasing acid stress.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish lake littoral habitats. Has been developed for lakes with a lake area between < 0.5 km to 10 km² area. Not much testing has been done outside this range.

Organisation in charge of development

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

AWIC index [Acid waters indicator community index]

Indicator name	AWIC index
Indicator abbreviation	AWIC
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Benthic invertebrates
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Abundance, composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The AWIC index is a core metric of the MILA index, module "acid stress".

Description (aim, method)

An exposed littoral zone section is assessed using kick-sampling of benthic macroinvertebrates and determined. Families with high sensitivity are given high indicator values, whereas low indicator values are attributed to families with high tolerance. The AWIC index calculation is based on the average value of each taxa (families) sampled and is calculated by summing up the indicator values and their division by numbers of taxa (families) sampled. A high AWIC index values indicate thus high ecological status (low acidity) and low values indicate acid conditions. The metric thus decline with increasing acidification.

Climate change influence

Stressor addressed

Acid stress

Stressor influence on indicator

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish lake littoral habitats. Has been developed for lakes with a lake area between < 0.5 km to 10 km² area. Not much testing has been done outside this range.

Organisation in charge of development

Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Winfrith Technology Centre, Dorchester, Dorset DT2 8ZD, United Kingdom

Organisation in charge of application

Reference

Ratio of predators in the sample

Indicator name	Ratio of predators in the sample
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Benthic invertebrates
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The ratio of predators in the sample is a core metric of the MILA index, module "acid stress".

Description (aim, method)

An exposed littoral zone section is assessed using kick-sampling of benthic macroinvertebrates and the number of predators is determined.

Climate change influence

As acid stress and temperature conditions change, the numbers of predators might increase due to decline of benthivorous fish. With increasing acid conditions, the ratio value will increase due to increasing number of predators in relation to the rest of the sample.

Stressor addressed

Acid stress

Stressor influence on indicator

In the absence of fish due to acidification, (large) invertebrate predators are released from a top-down predation pressure and thus have stronger effects on (lower) consumer levels. If predators are large in numbers in relation to the rest of the sample, the ratio between both abundances will high. Thus a higher ratio indicates (higher) acid stress.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish lake littoral habitats. Has been developed for lakes with a lake area between < 0.5 km to 10 km² area. Not much testing has been done outside this range.

Organisation in charge of development

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Benthic quality index

Indicator name	Benthic quality index
Indicator abbreviation	BQI
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Benthic invertebrates
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Composition
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The index is based on the sensitivity of different Chironomid species in profunda zones to low oxygen levels. There are in total twelve species/genera that will give a score according to BQI.

Description (aim, method)

The profundal zone of the lake is sampled using an Ekman grab and from the scoring Chironomid taxa a BQI index value is calculated. The maximum index value is 5 (if all the scoring taxa in the sample consists of Heterotrissocladius subpilosus (the most sensitive taxa) which scores 5 and down to 0 if no scoring taxa is found in the sample. The BQI value will thus decrease with lower oxygen values.

Climate change influence

As eutrophication and organic pollution conditions, and temperature change the response of individual taxa making up each of the individual indices might change. This may require modification of which indicator taxa are used, the scoring values for individual taxa, changing the threshold values for each individual score of a taxa or additional taxa being added.

Stressor addressed

Eutrophication and organic pollution

Stressor influence on indicator

The index is based on the sensitivity of twelve Chironomid species/genera. Each taxa scores between 1 (the worst) to 5 (the best) score and the abundance of each scoring taxa is multiplied with the score and then averaged over total number of scoring individuals.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish lake profundal habitats.

Organisation in charge of development

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Wiederholm, T. (1980): Use of zoobenthos in lake monitoring. Journal of the Water Pollution Control Federation 52: 537–547.

Indice de Polluo-sensibilité Spécifique

Indicator name	Indice de Polluo-sensibilité Spécifique
Indicator abbreviation	IPS
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Diatoms
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Abundance, composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The index is based on the sensitivity of different diatom species/taxa to eutrophication and organic pollution. The index is based on the use of all diatom taxa found at a site.

Description (aim, method)

The riffle of a stream is sampled by brushing off diatoms from stones. From the diatom taxa list an IPS score is calculated based on the tolerance range (the indicator value) of each taxa in the sample (scored from 1 to 3, with 3 being taxa with a narrow tolerance range) and the sensitivity of each diatom taxa (scored from 1 to 5, with 5 being the most sensitive taxa). The IPS is calculated by multiplying the relative abundance of each diatom taxon with the indicator value and the sensitivity score and then divided by the abundance multiplied with the indicators core. The final IPS score is rescaled to have a final score value between 0 (bad ecological quality) to 20 (high ecological quality).

Climate change influence

As eutrophication and organic pollution conditions change and tempertature change the response of individual taxa might change. This may require modification of which indicator taxa are used, the scoring values for individual taxa, changing the threshold values for each individual score of a taxa or additional taxa being added.

Stressor addressed

Eutrophication and organic pollution

Stressor influence on indicator

The index is based on the sensitivity of all diatom species/taxa found at a site. The index value is divided into two parts, one wich scores from 1 to 3 which indicate the tolerance range (with 3 being taxa with the samllest tolerance range) of a taxa and one which scores from 1 to 5 which indicate the pollution sensitivity of a taxa (with 5 being the most sensitive taxa).

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish stream types.

Organisation in charge of development

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Kahlert, M., Andrén, C. & Jarlman, A. (2007): Bakgrundsrapport för revideringen 2007 av bedömningsgrunder för Påväxt – kiselalger i vattendrag.

Acidity index for diatoms

Indicator name	Acidity index for diatoms
Indicator abbreviation	ACID
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Diatoms
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Abundance, composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The index is based on two individual diatom indices. The first being the ratio of abundance of Acnantidium minutissimum and the genus Eunotia and the second takes into account of the acid sensitivity of all diatom taxa in the sample according to van Dam et al. (1994) which divides the diatom into 5 acid sensitivity classes where the abundance of taxa in the three most acid sensitive classes is divided by the abundance of the two most acid tolerant classes.

Description (aim, method)

The riffle of a stream is sampled by brushing off diatoms from stones. From the diatom taxa list an ACID score is calculated based the ratio of abundance of Acnantidium minutissimum and the genus Eunotia and the second takes into account of the acid sensitivity of all diatom taxa in the sample according to van Dam et al. (1994) which divides the diatom into 5 acid sensitivity classes where the abundance of taxa in the three most acid sensitive classes is divided by the abundance of the two most acid tolerant classes. The final ACID score varies between 0 (bad ecological quality) to 10 (high ecological quality).

Climate change influence

As acid stress conditions change and temperature change the response of individual taxa might change. This may require modification of which indicator taxa are used, the scoring values for individual taxa, changing the threshold values for each individual score of a taxa or additional taxa being added.

Stressor addressed

Acid stress

Stressor influence on indicator

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish stream types.

Organisation in charge of development

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Andrén, C. & Jarlman, A. (2007). Benthic diatoms as indicators of acidity in streams. (submitted).

Vattendragindex [Running water index]

Indicator name	Vattendragindex
Indicator abbreviation	VIX
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Fish
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Abundance, composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The index is based on seven individual indices of stream living fish which make up the VIX multimetric index. These are: abundance of salmon and trout, proportion of salmonid species reproducing, proportion of tolerant species, proportion of intolerant species, proportion of lithophilic individuals, proportion of tolerant individuals, and Simpson diversity index (the last one only used when assessing hydrological stress).

Description (aim, method)

The VIX index can be used to assess general ecological quality or a number of specific stressors on running water fish fauna. The index comprises of six indices (where a seventh one is used to assess hydrological stress). In the development phase theoretical metric values of undesturbed reference conditions were calculated and focus of the index is the seprataion of high and good ecological status versus moderate, poor, and bad ecological status.

Climate change influence

As effects on running water environment changes and temperature changes, the response of individual taxa or indices might change. This may require modification of indices used, the indicators values for individual taxa within each index, changing the threshold values for each individual score of an index or additional indices being added.

Stressor addressed

General stress (VIXg), acid stress (VIXs), eutrophication (VIXö), morphological stress (VIXm), hydrological stress (VIXh), and effects on connectivity (VIXk).

Stressor influence on indicator

The focus of the index is to clearly separate streams with a high or good ecological status versus the three worst categories of ecological quality. So far the index has (according to the development team) not being able to convincingly show effects on connectivity.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish stream types.

Organisation in charge of development

The Swedish Board of Fisheries contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Beier et al. (2007): Environmental quality criteria to determine the status of fish in running waters - development and application of VIX. Swedish Board of Fisheries Report Finfo 2007: 5.

Abundance of salmon and trout

Indicator name	Abundance of salmon and trout
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Fish
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Abundance, composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The metric of abundance of salmon and trout is a core metric of VIX multimetric index, module "general degradation".

Description (aim, method)

A running water section with a minimum size of 400 m2 and suitable habitat for salmonids, fish is sampled with standardized electrofishing according to SS-EN 14011. the abundance of salmon and trout is then determined.

Climate change influence

As effects on running water environment changes and temperature changes, the response of individual taxa or indices might change.

Stressor addressed

General stress (VIXg) and effects on connectivity (VIXk).

Stressor influence on indicator

The abundance of both salmon and trout will decrease with increasing degradation.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish stream types.

Organisation in charge of development

The Swedish Board of Fisheries contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Beier et al. (2007): Environmental quality criteria to determine the status of fish in running waters - development and application of VIX. Swedish Board of Fisheries Report Finfo 2007: 5.

Proportion of salmonid species reproducing

Indicator name	Proportion of salmonid species reproducing
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Fish
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Abundance, composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The proportion of salmonid species reproducing is a core metric of VIX multimetric index, module "general degradation".

Description (aim, method)

A running water section with a minimum size of 400 m2 and suitable habitat for salmonids, fish is sampled with standardized electrofishing according to SS-EN 14011.The proportion of salmonid species reproducing is determined according to FAME consortium manual.

Climate change influence

As effects on running water environment changes and temperature changes, the response of individual taxa or indices might change.

Stressor addressed

General stress (VIXg) and effects on connectivity (VIXk).

Stressor influence on indicator

The abundance of both salmon and trout will decrease with increasing degradation.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish stream types.

Organisation in charge of development

The Swedish Board of Fisheries contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Beier et al. (2007): Environmental quality criteria to determine the status of fish in running waters - development and application of VIX. Swedish Board of Fisheries Report Finfo 2007: 5.

Proportion of tolerant species

Indicator name	Proportion of tolerant species
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Fish
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Abundance, composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The proportion of tolerant species is a core metric of VIX multimetric index, module "general degradation".

Description (aim, method)

A running water section with a minimum size of 400 m2 and suitable habitat for salmonids, fish is sampled with standardized electrofishing according to SS-EN 14011.The proportion of tolerant species is determined according to FAME consortium manual.

Climate change influence

As effects on running water environment changes and temperature changes, the response of individual taxa or indices might change.

Stressor addressed

General stress (VIXg), acid stress (VIXs), eutrophication (VIXö), morphological stress (VIXm), hydrological stress (VIXh), and effects on connectivity (VIXk).

Stressor influence on indicator

The proportion of tolerant species will increase with increasing degradation.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish stream types.

Organisation in charge of development

The Swedish Board of Fisheries contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Beier et al. (2007): Environmental quality criteria to determine the status of fish in running waters - development and application of VIX. Swedish Board of Fisheries Report Finfo 2007: 5.

Links

fame.boku.ac.at

Proportion of intolerant species

Indicator name	Proportion of intolerant species
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Fish
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Abundance, composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The proportion of intolerant species is a core metric of VIX multimetric index, module "general degradation".

Description (aim, method)

A running water section with a minimum size of 400 m2 and suitable habitat for salmonids, fish is sampled with standardized electrofishing according to SS-EN 14011.The proportion of intolerant species is determined according to FAME consortium manual.

Climate change influence

As effects on running water environment changes and temperature changes, the response of individual taxa or indices might change.

Stressor addressed

General stress (VIXg), acid stress (VIXs), eutrophication (VIXö), morphological stress (VIXm), hydrological stress (VIXh), and effects on connectivity (VIXk).

Stressor influence on indicator

The proportion of intolerant species will decrease with increasing degradation.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish stream types.

Organisation in charge of development

The Swedish Board of Fisheries contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Beier et al. (2007): Environmental quality criteria to determine the status of fish in running waters - development and application of VIX. Swedish Board of Fisheries Report Finfo 2007: 5.

Links

fame.boku.ac.at

Proportion of lithophilic individuals

Indicator name	Proportion of lithophilic individuals
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Fish
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Abundance, composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The proportion of lithophilic individuals is a core metric of VIX multimetric index, module "general degradation".

Description (aim, method)

A running water section with a minimum size of 400 m2 and suitable habitat for salmonids, fish is sampled with standardized electrofishing according to SS-EN 14011.The proportion of lithophilic individuals is determined according to FAME consortium manual.

Climate change influence

As effects on running water environment changes and temperature changes, the response of individual taxa or indices might change.

Stressor addressed

General stress (VIXg), acid stress (VIXs), eutrophication (VIXö), morphological stress (VIXm), hydrological stress (VIXh), and effects on connectivity (VIXk).

Stressor influence on indicator

The proportion of lithophilic individuals will decrease with increasing degradation.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish stream types.

Organisation in charge of development

The Swedish Board of Fisheries contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Beier et al. (2007): Environmental quality criteria to determine the status of fish in running waters - development and application of VIX. Swedish Board of Fisheries Report Finfo 2007: 5.

Links

fame.boku.ac.at

Proportion of tolerant individuals

Indicator name	Proportion of tolerant individuals
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	Fish
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Abundance, composition, sensitive/insensitive taxa
Threshold value high / good	-
Threshold value good / moderate	-

Multi metric index

The proportion of tolerant individuals is a core metric of VIX multimetric index, module "general degradation".

Description (aim, method)

A running water section with a minimum size of 400 m2 and suitable habitat for salmonids, fish is sampled with standardized electrofishing according to SS-EN 14011.The proportion of tolerant individuals is determined according to FAME consortium manual.

Climate change influence

As effects on running water environment changes and temperature changes, the response of individual taxa or indices might change.

Stressor addressed

General stress (VIXg), acid stress (VIXs), eutrophication (VIXö), morphological stress (VIXm), hydrological stress (VIXh), and effects on connectivity (VIXk).

Stressor influence on indicator

The proportion of tolerant species will increase with increasing degradation.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish stream types.

Organisation in charge of development

The Swedish Board of Fisheries contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Beier et al. (2007): Environmental quality criteria to determine the status of fish in running waters - development and application of VIX. Swedish Board of Fisheries Report Finfo 2007: 5.

Links

fame.boku.ac.at

Physico-chemical parameters

Total phosphorus concentration in lakes [Total phoshorus]

Indicator name	Total phosphorus concentration in lakes
Indicator abbreviation	TP
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	n.a.
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Nutrient conditions, Eutrophication.
Threshold value high / good	Never higher than 12.5 µg/L TP (could also be lower).
Threshold value good / moderate	A site specific reference P value is calculated based on non-marine base cations, water colour, Si concentration, mean lake depth, and altitude

Multi metric index

n.a.

Description (aim, method)

TP is a supporting parameter for assessment of the ecological status. Total phosphorous is a measure of all the various forms of phosphorus (dissolved and particulate) found in water. A surface water sample (0.5 m depth) is sampled min. 4 times a year and TP concentration is determined by using the standard SS-EN ISO 68778 (or 15681).

Climate change influence

Generally stress intensity might increase due to climate change; TP might increase due to increasing eutrophication and a good chemical status according to current threshold values of water bodies will become rarer. Oxygen depletion from decomposition processes may occur if TP concentrations become too high, followed by many effects on biological (especially reproductive) processes, which might be adversly affected.

Stressor addressed

Organic pollution

Stressor influence on indicator

Increasing with increasing stress.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish lake types.

Organisation in charge of development

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Wilander, A., 2004. Förslag till bedömningsgrunder för eutrofierande ämnen. Rapport 2004:19. Department of Environmental Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.

Total phosphorus concentration in streams [Total phoshorus]

Indicator name	Total phosphorus concentration in streams
Indicator abbreviation	TP
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	n.a.
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Nutrient conditions, Eutrophication.
Threshold value high / good	Never higher than 12.5 µg/L TP (could also be lower).
Threshold value good / moderate	A site specific reference P value is calculated based on non-marine base cations, water colour and altitude

Multi metric index

n.a.

Description (aim, method)

TP is a supporting parameter for assessment of the ecological status. Total phosphorous is a measure of all the various forms of phosphorus (dissolved and particulate) found in water. A monthly sample is taken and TP concentration is determined by using the standard SS-EN ISO 68778 (or 15681).

Climate change influence

Stressor addressed

Organic pollution

Stressor influence on indicator

Increasing with increasing stress.

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish stream types.

Organisation in charge of development

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Wilander, A., 2004. Förslag till bedömningsgrunder för eutrofierande ämnen. Rapport 2004:19. Department of Environmental Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.

pH

Indicator name	pH
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	n.a.
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Acidification
Threshold value high / good	Deviation of pH < 0.2 - 0.4 units from reference value (according to MAGIC model)
Threshold value good / moderate	Deviation of pH 0.4-0.6 units from reference value (according to MAGIC model)

Multi metric index

n.a.

Description (aim, method)

pH is a supporting parameter for assessment of the ecological status.

Climate change influence

Mean temperature and yearly precipitation might increase due to climate change. Increase in precipitation might lead to increased groundwater levels and increased runoff with subseqently increase of soluble organic material and base cations in the runoff. These and a number of other factors can affect pH both in a negative and positive directions. The effect might differ in different (north vs. south) regions of Sweden.

Stressor addressed

Acid stress

Stressor influence on indicator

Decreasing with increasing stress

Specification of water type

Available for all Swedish waters.

Organisation in charge of development

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Fölster, J. 2006. Bedömningsgrunder för försurning i sjöar och vattendrag. Report from Department of Environmental Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.

Oxygen (mg/l)

Indicator name	Oxygen (mg/l)
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	n.a.
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Oxygen conditions, organic matter, eutrophication
Threshold value high / good	9-8 mg/L depending on water temperature (and lake type)
Threshold value good / moderate	7-8 mg/L depending on water temperature (and lake type)

Multi metric index

n.a.

Description (aim, method)

Oxygen concentration is a supporting parameter for assessment of the ecological status. All aquatic organisms need oxygen for staying alive.

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change, the oxygen concentration might decline.

Stressor addressed

Organic pollution

Stressor influence on indicator

Decreasing with increasing stress.

Specification of water type

Generally stress intensity might increase due to climate change; the oxygen concentration depends on water temperature and a good chemical status according to current threshold values of water bodies will become rarer. A sufficient oxygen concentration is important for many biological (especially reproductive) processes, which might be adversly affected.

Organisation in charge of development

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Wilander, A. & Sonesten, L. (2006): Förslag till bedömningsgrunder för syrgaskoncentration i sjöar. Report from Department of Environmental Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.

Secchi depth

Indicator name	Secchi depth
Indicator abbreviation	n.a.
Country	Sweden
Organismgroup	n.a.
Status of development	complete
Relation to WFD-guidelines	Water colour, eutrophication.
Threshold value high / good	³ 0.67/0.5
Threshold value good / moderate	0.5/0.33

Multi metric index

n.a.

Description (aim, method)

Secchi depth is a supporting parameter for assessment of the ecological status. Measurements are taken in free water with a Secchi disc of 25 cm in diameter, ideally monthly during vegetation period (May-October) or in August according to standard SS-EN 27027.

Climate change influence

As precipitation and runoff/discharge pattern change due to climate change, input of organic material will increase and thus Secchi depth decrease.

Stressor addressed

Organic pollution

Stressor influence on indicator

Decreasing with increasing stress.

Specification of water type

Organisation in charge of development

Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences contracted by the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency

Organisation in charge of application

Local county boards and the five Water Districts of Sweden

Reference

Wilander, A. & Sonesten, L. (2006): Förslag till bedömningsgrunder för siktdjup. Report from Department of Environmental Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden.

Total phosphorus concentration in all Finnish lakes - general classification of water quality in Finland, the old system [Total phoshorus]

Indicator name	Total phosphorus concentration in all Finnish lakes - general classification of water quality in Finland, the old system
Indicator abbreviation	TP
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	Old system but still partly in use in parallel to the WFD boundary values.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	old classification system, the new one is based on this old system
Threshold value high / good	12 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	30 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: excellent < 12µg/L, good 12 - 30 µg/L, satisfactory 30 - 50µg/L, passable 50 - 100 µg/L, poor > 100 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

The aim is to classify Finnish lakes according to the mean phosphorus concentration (during growing season) to five classes (excellent, good, satisfactory, passable, poor)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of phosphorus

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of phosphorus concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if phosphours is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for all Finnish lakes, i.e. in this old system only "one lake type" was considered.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Vuoristo, H. (1998): Water quality classification of Finnish inland waters. European Water Management 1(6): 35-41.

Total phosphorus concentration in small, medium-sized low-humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total phoshorus]

Indicator name	Total phosphorus concentration in small, medium-sized low-humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TP
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	10µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	18 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 10µg/L, good 10 - 18 µg/L, moderate 18 - 35µg/L, poor 35 - 70 µg/L, bad > 70 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

The aim is to classify Finnish lakes according to the mean phosphorus concentration during the growing season (June - September) to five classes (high,good, moderate, poor, bad) according to the requirements set by the Water Framework Directive

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of phosphorus

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of phosphorus concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if phosphours is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for small, medium-sized, low-humic lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total phosphorus concentration in small, humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total phoshorus]

Indicator name	Total phosphorus concentration in small, humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TP
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	18 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	28 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 18 µg/L, good 18 - 28 µg/L, moderate 28 - 45 µg/L, poor 45 - 90 µg/L, bad > 90 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of phosphorus

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of phosphorus concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if phosphours is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for small humic lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total phosphorus concentration in medium-sized, humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total phoshorus]

Indicator name	Total phosphorus concentration in medium-sized, humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TP
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	18 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	28 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 18 µg/L, good 18 - 28 µg/L, moderate 28 - 45 µg/L, poor 45 - 90 µg/L, bad > 90 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of phosphorus

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of phosphorus concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if phosphours is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for medium-sized, humic lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total phosphorus concentration in large, low-humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total phoshorus]

Indicator name	Total phosphorus concentration in large, low-humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TP
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	10 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	18 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 10 µg/L, good 10 - 18 µg/L, moderate 18 - 35 µg/L, poor 35 - 70 µg/L, bad > 70 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of phosphorus

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of phosphorus concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if phosphours is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for large, low-humic lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total phosphorus concentration in large, humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total phoshorus]

Indicator name	Total phosphorus concentration in large, humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TP
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	15 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	25 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 15 µg/L, good 15 - 25 µg/L, moderate 25 - 40 µg/L, poor 40 - 80 µg/L, bad > 80 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of phosphorus

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of phosphorus concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if phosphours is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for large, humic lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total phosphorus concentration in polyhumic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total phoshorus]

Indicator name	Total phosphorus concentration in polyhumic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TP
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	30 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	45 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 30 µg/L, good 30 - 45 µg/L, moderate 45 - 65 µg/L, poor 65 - 120 µg/L, bad > 120 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of phosphorus

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of phosphorus concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if phosphours is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for polyhumic lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total phosphorus concentration in shallow, low-humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total phoshorus]

Indicator name	Total phosphorus concentration in shallow, low-humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TP
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	15 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	25 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 15 µg/L, good 15 - 25 µg/L, moderate 25 - 45 µg/L, poor 45 - 80 µg/L, bad > 80 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of phosphorus

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of phosphorus concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if phosphours is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for shallow, low-humic lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total phosphorus concentration in shallow, humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total phoshorus]

Indicator name	Total phosphorus concentration in shallow, humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TP
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	25 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	40 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 25 µg/L, good 25 - 40 µg/L, moderate 40 - 65 µg/L, poor 65 - 100 µg/L, bad > 100 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of phosphorus

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of phosphorus concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if phosphours is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for shallow, humic lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total phosphorus concentration in shallow, polyhumic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total phoshorus]

Indicator name	Total phosphorus concentration in shallow, polyhumic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TP
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	40 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	55 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 40 µg/L, good 40 - 55 µg/L, moderate 55 - 80 µg/L, poor 80 - 150 µg/L, bad > 150 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of phosphorus

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of phosphorus concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if phosphours is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for shallow, polyhumic lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total phosphorus concentration in low residence time lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total phoshorus]

Indicator name	Total phosphorus concentration in low residence time lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TP
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	25 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	40 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 25 µg/L, good 25 - 40 µg/L, moderate 40 - 70 µg/L, poor 70 - 90 µg/L, bad > 90 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of phosphorus

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of phosphorus concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if phosphours is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for low residence time lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total phosphorus concentration in North Lapland lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total phoshorus]

Indicator name	Total phosphorus concentration in North Lapland lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TP
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	9 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	12 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 9 µg/L, good 9 - 12 µg/L, moderate 12 - 15 µg/L, poor 15 - 20 µg/L, bad > 20 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of phosphorus

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of phosphorus concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if phosphours is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for North Lapland lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total phosphorus concentration in nutrient-rich lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total phoshorus]

Indicator name	Total phosphorus concentration in nutrient-rich lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TP
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	40 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	55 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 40 µg/L, good 40 - 55 µg/L, moderate 55 - 75 µg/L, poor 75 - 120 µg/L, bad > 120 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of phosphorus

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of phosphorus concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if phosphours is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for nutrient-rich lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total phosphorus concentration in calcareous-rich lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total phoshorus]

Indicator name	Total phosphorus concentration in calcareous-rich lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TP
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	20 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	30 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 20 µg/L, good 20 - 30 µg/L, moderate 30 - 50 µg/L, poor 50 - 80 µg/L, bad > 80 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of phosphorus

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of phosphorus concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if phosphours is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for calcareous-rich lake.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total nitrogen concentration in small, medium-sized low-humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total nitrogen]

Indicator name	Total nitrogen concentration in small, medium-sized low-humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TN
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	400 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	500 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 400 µg/L, good 400 - 500 µg/L, moderate 500 - 750 µg/L, poor 750 - 1000 µg/L, bad > 1000 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of nitrogen

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of nitrogen concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if nitrogen is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for small, medium-sized, low-humic lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total nitrogen concentration in small, humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total nitrogen]

Indicator name	Total nitrogen concentration in small, humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TN
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	510 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	700 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 510 µg/L, good 510 - 700 µg/L, moderate 700 - 1000 µg/L, poor 1000 - 1500 µg/L, bad > 1500 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of nitrogen

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of nitrogen concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if nitrogen is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for small humic lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total nitrogen concentration in medium-sized, humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total nitrogen]

Indicator name	Total nitrogen concentration in medium-sized, humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TN
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	540 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	660 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 540 µg/L, good 540 - 660 µg/L, moderate 660 - 1000 µg/L, poor 1000 - 1500 µg/L, bad > 1500 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of nitrogen

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of nitrogen concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if nitrogen is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for medium-sized, humic lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total nitrogen concentration in large, low-humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total nitrogen]

Indicator name	Total nitrogen concentration in large, low-humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TN
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	400 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	500 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 400 µg/L, good 400 - 500 µg/L, moderate 500 - 700 µg/L, poor 700 - 900 µg/L, bad > 900 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of nitrogen

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of nitrogen concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if nitrogen is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for large, low-humic lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total nitrogen concentration in large, humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total nitrogen]

Indicator name	Total nitrogen concentration in large, humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TN
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	460 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	600 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 460 µg/L, good 460 - 600 µg/L, moderate 600 - 900 µg/L, poor 900 - 1300 µg/L, bad > 1300 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of nitrogen

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of nitrogen concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if nitrogen is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for large, humic lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total nitrogen concentration in polyhumic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total nitrogen]

Indicator name	Total nitrogen concentration in polyhumic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TN
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	590 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	750 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 590 µg/L, good 590 - 750 µg/L, moderate 750 - 1100 µg/L, poor 1100 - 1800 µg/L, bad > 1800 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of nitrogen

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of nitrogen concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if nitrogen is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for polyhumic lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total nitrogen concentration in shallow, low-humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total nitrogen]

Indicator name	Total nitrogen concentration in shallow, low-humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TN
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	480 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	600 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 480 µg/L, good 480 - 600 µg/L, moderate 600 - 1000 µg/L, poor 1000 - 1500 µg/L, bad > 1500 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of nitrogen

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of nitrogen concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if nitrogen is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for shallow, low-humic lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total nitrogen concentration in shallow, humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total nitrogen]

Indicator name	Total nitrogen concentration in shallow, humic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TN
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	600 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	750 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 600 µg/L, good 600 - 750 µg/L, moderate 750 - 1100 µg/L, poor 1100 - 1800 µg/L, bad > 1800 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of nitrogen

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of nitrogen concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if nitrogen is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for shallow, humic lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total nitrogen concentration in shallow, polyhumic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total nitrogen]

Indicator name	Total nitrogen concentration in shallow, polyhumic lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TN
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	680 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	850 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 680 µg/L, good 680 - 850 µg/L, moderate 850 - 1400 µg/L, poor 1400 - 2200 µg/L, bad > 2200 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of nitrogen

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of nitrogen concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if nitrogen is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for shallow, polyhumic lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total nitrogen concentration in low residence time lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total nitrogen]

Indicator name	Total nitrogen concentration in low residence time lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TN
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	450 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	610 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 450 µg/L, good 450 - 610 µg/L, moderate 610 - 900 µg/L, poor 900 - 1400 µg/L, bad > 1400 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of nitrogen

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of nitrogen concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if nitrogen is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for low residence time lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total nitrogen concentration in North Lapland lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total nitrogen]

Indicator name	Total nitrogen concentration in North Lapland lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TN
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	190 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	300 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 190 µg/L, good 190 - 300 µg/L, moderate 300 - 400 µg/L, poor 400 - 600 µg/L, bad > 600 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of nitrogen

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of nitrogen concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if nitrogen is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for North Lapland lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total nitrogen concentration in nutrient-rich lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total nitrogen]

Indicator name	Total nitrogen concentration in nutrient-rich lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TN
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	780 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	930 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 780 µg/L, good 780 - 930 µg/L, moderate 930 - 1200 µg/L, poor 1200 - 1800 µg/L, bad > 1800 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of nitrogen

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of nitrogen concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if nitrogen is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for nutrient-rich lakes.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Reference

Total nitrogen concentration in calcareous-rich lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system [Total nitrogen]

Indicator name	Total nitrogen concentration in calcareous-rich lakes - WFD compliant ecological classification of lakes in Finland, supporting element (DRAFT / Nov 2007) - the new system
Indicator abbreviation	TN
Country	Finland
Organismgroup
Status of development	A new system, only draft by Dec 2007, the boundary values will be confirmed officially later.
Relation to WFD-guidelines	WFD CIS guidance document no 13: Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and ecological potential
Threshold value high / good	550 µg/L
Threshold value good / moderate	750 µg/L

Multi metric index

Classification: high < 550 µg/L, good 550 - 750 µg/L, moderate 750 - 1100 µg/L, poor 1100 - 1600 µg/L, bad > 1600 µg/L

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

As nutrient and temperature conditions change (both will increase), algal biomass will also change (increase). Current boundary values might be valid in the future.

Stressor addressed

Point and non-point source pollution of nitrogen

Stressor influence on indicator

Increase of nitrogen concentration (loading) increases algal biomass if nitrogen is the limiting factor for primary production.

Specification of water type

Valid for calcareous-rich lake.

Organisation in charge of development

Finnish Environment Institute

Organisation in charge of application

Finnish Environment Institute

Freshwater type.

Lakes in cold ecoregions

– Indicators in current use –

Biological parameters

Multi metric index

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

Stressor addressed

Stressor influence on indicator

Specification of water type

Organisation in charge of development

Organisation in charge of application

Reference

Links

Multi metric index

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

Stressor addressed

Stressor influence on indicator

Specification of water type

Organisation in charge of development

Organisation in charge of application

Reference

Links

Multi metric index

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

Stressor addressed

Stressor influence on indicator

Specification of water type

Organisation in charge of development

Organisation in charge of application

Reference

Links

Multi metric index

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

Stressor addressed

Stressor influence on indicator

Specification of water type

Organisation in charge of development

Organisation in charge of application

Reference

Links

Multi metric index

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

Stressor addressed

Stressor influence on indicator

Specification of water type

Organisation in charge of development

Organisation in charge of application

Reference

Links

Multi metric index

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

Stressor addressed

Stressor influence on indicator

Specification of water type

Organisation in charge of development

Organisation in charge of application

Reference

Links

Multi metric index

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

Stressor addressed

Stressor influence on indicator

Specification of water type

Organisation in charge of development

Organisation in charge of application

Reference

Links

Multi metric index

Description (aim, method)

Climate change influence

Stressor addressed

Stressor influence on indicator

Specification of water type