Lakes in temperate ecoregions
– Indicators in current use –
How are lakes in temperate 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
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PHYLIB [PHYLIB]
Indicator name PHYLIB Indicator abbreviation PHYLIB Country Germany Organismgroup Phytobenthos, Makrophytes Status of development complete Relation to WFD-guidelines Abundance, composition Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
PHYLIB is a multi metric assessment system for Macrophytes and Phytobenthos, it comprises two modules: Makrophytes (long term indicators), Phytobenthos Diatoms (short term indicators) integrating over different time scales. Overall assessment is achieved by averaging results of all available moduls.
Description (aim, method)
Assessment is based on a comparison of the observed vegetation with a near natural reference situation, according to indicator values of certain species. Up to three indicator groups are classified, such as reference, indifferent/toloerant, disturbance indicators. Additionally indicator taxa have been assigned trophic index values and weighting factors. The arithmetic mean of the results is determined.
Climate change influence
As climate conditions change, effects either directly on biota or indirectly by effects on hydrology / morphology / (biogeo-) chemistry may occur and enforce community change. Indicator organismens may be influenced (resulting in change of presence / absence or abundance), meaning that the assessment system may loose it’s ability to stressor specific assessment. This may require modification of indicator organisms used, respective indicator values, threshold value shifting or additional modules.
PHYLIB may be especially affected by increasing eutrophication, leading to generally declining (then unspecific) assessment results.
Taxa classified as indifferent/tolerant or disturbance indicator taxa might increase. More taxa of high trophic / saprobic condition might occur.Stressor addressed
Eutrophication, (general degradation)
Stressor influence on indicator
The assessment system indicates eutrophication, the metrics in the range from 1 to 0 decline with increasing stress.
Specification of water type
Available for all German Macrophyte and Phytobenthos biocoenotic types (according to ecoregion, hydromorphology and geochemistry).
Organisation in charge of development
Bavarian Water Management Agency contracted by the The Working Group on water issues (LAWA)
Organisation in charge of application
Environment agencies of Federal States
Reference
Schaumburg, J., Schranz, C., Stelter, D. & Hofmann, G. (2007): Action Instructions for the ecological Evaluation of Lakes for Implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive: Makrophytes and Phytobenthos.
Links
www.lfu.bayern.de [October 2007]
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Diatomeen Index Seen [Diatom Index Lakes]
Indicator name Diatomeen Index Seen Indicator abbreviation DILakes Country Germany Organismgroup Diatoms Status of development complete Relation to WFD-guidelines Abundance, composition, presence of sensitive taxa Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
DILakes assesses phytobenthic Diatoms within PHYLIB.
Description (aim, method)
The overall assessment of the component Phytobenthos-Diatoms is carried out by a combination of the metrics "Trophic-Index" (TI) and "Quotient of Reference Species" (RAQ) to obtain the Diatom-Index for lakes (DILakes). For this purpose the calculated values of both components are transformed and the arithmetic mean of the results is determined to obtain the DILakes.
Climate change influence
Phytobenthos growth depends on nutrients and water temperature. More taxa of high trophic condition might occur, resulting in a shift of assessment results.
Climate change may increase stressors leading to less indicator taxa. Invasive species might furthermore influence species composition, violating the threshhold number of indicator taxa, which does not allow the use of PHYLIB any more.Stressor addressed
Eutrophication
Stressor influence on indicator
Specification of water type
Available for all German Macrophyte and Phytobenthos biocoenotic types (according to ecoregion, hydromorphology and geochemistry).
Organisation in charge of development
Bavarian Water Management Agency contracted by the The Working Group on water issues (LAWA)
Organisation in charge of application
Environment agencies of Federal States
Reference
Schaumburg, J., Schranz, C., Stelter, D. & Hofmann, G. (2007): Action Instructions for the ecological Evaluation of Lakes for Implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive: Makrophytes and Phytobenthos.
Links
www.lfu.bayern.de [October 2007]
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Referenzartenquotient [Quotient of Reference Species]
Indicator name Referenzartenquotient Indicator abbreviation RAQ Country Germany Organismgroup Diatoms Status of development complete Relation to WFD-guidelines Composition, presence of sensitive taxa Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
RAQ is core metric in PHYLIB, module Phytobenthos Diatoms.
Description (aim, method)
The RAQ is determined under consideration of the type specific reference species and their ecological groups. Only the number of species is considered.
The type specific occurrence in different ecological conditions is used to distinguish two species groups (type specific reference species and types specific degradation indicators).
For assessment of the diatom biocoenosis the modules "Trophic-Index“ (TI) and the module "Quotient of Reference Species“ (RAQ) are combined.Climate change influence
Phytobenthos growth depends on nutrients and water temperature. More degradation indicators might occur, resulting in a shift of assessment results.
Climate change may increase stressors leading to less indicator taxa. Invasive species might furthermore influence species composition, violating the threshhold number of indicator taxa, which does not allow the use of PHYLIB any more.Stressor addressed
Eutrophication
Stressor influence on indicator
The metric value increases with increasing eutrophication.
Specification of water type
Available for all German Macrophyte and Phytobenthos biocoenotic types (according to ecoregion, hydromorphology and geochemistry).
Organisation in charge of development
Bavarian Water Management Agency contracted by the The Working Group on water issues (LAWA)
Organisation in charge of application
Environment agencies of Federal States
Reference
Schaumburg, J., Schranz, C., Stelter, D. & Hofmann, G. (2007): Action Instructions for the ecological Evaluation of Lakes for Implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive: Makrophytes and Phytobenthos.
Links
www.lfu.bayern.de [October 2007]
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Trophie-Index [Trophic-Index]
Indicator name Trophie-Index Indicator abbreviation TIsouth/north Country Germany Organismgroup Diatoms Status of development complete Relation to WFD-guidelines Composition, abundance, presence of sensitive taxa Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
The TIsouth/north is core metric in PHYLIB, module Phytobenthos Diatoms.
Description (aim, method)
The Trophic Index is based on indicative species and their percentages found at the littoral site to be assessed. Each species is characterized by a trophic value and weighting value.
Different Trophic Indices are determined for the lakes of southern Germany and the Central German Upland (types 1 to 9) and for the lakes of the North German Low Land (lakes of type 10 to 14) are determined (TIsouth/north).
For assessment of the diatom biocoenosis the modules "Trophic-Index“ and the module "Quotient of Reference Species“ (RAQ) are combined.Climate change influence
Phytobenthos growth depends on nutrients and water temperature. More taxa of high trophic condition might occur, resulting in a shift of assessment results.
Climate change may increase stressors leading to less indicator taxa. Invasive species might furthermore influence species composition, violating the threshhold number of indicator taxa, which does not allow the use of PHYLIB any more.Stressor addressed
Eutrophication
Stressor influence on indicator
The metric value increases with increasing eutrophication.
Specification of water type
Available for all German Macrophyte and Phytobenthos biocoenotic types (according to ecoregion, hydromorphology and geochemistry).
Organisation in charge of development
Bavarian Water Management Agency contracted by the The Working Group on water issues (LAWA)
Organisation in charge of application
Environment agencies of Federal States
Reference
Schaumburg, J., Schranz, C., Stelter, D. & Hofmann, G. (2007): Action Instructions for the ecological Evaluation of Lakes for Implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive: Makrophytes and Phytobenthos.
Links
www.lfu.bayern.de [October 2007]
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Referenzindex [Reference Index]
Indicator name Referenzindex Indicator abbreviation n.a. Country Germany Organismgroup Macrophytes Status of development complete Relation to WFD-guidelines Abundance, composition Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
The Reference Index is core metric in PHYLIB, module Macrophytes.
Description (aim, method)
The Reference Index is based on a comparison of the observed vegetation with a near natural reference situation, according to indicatore values of certain species. For calculation of the Reference Index exclusively submerged species are considered, i.e. all submerged growing species as well as those with floating leaves. The taxa occurring at the sampling site will be assigned to type specific species groups (reference taxa, indifferent taxa, degradation taxa). The calculation of the Reference Index takes into account additional type specific characteristics.
Climate change influence
The Reference Index depends on nutrients and water temperature. Macrophyte growth rates might increase due to higher temperatures and start earlier in spring.
Taxa classified as indifferent/tolerant or disturbance indicator taxa might increase. More taxa of high trophic / saprobic condition might occur or more often macrophyte depopulation.Stressor addressed
Eutrophication
Stressor influence on indicator
Specification of water type
Available for all German Macrophyte and Phytobenthos biocoenotic types (according to ecoregion, hydromorphology and geochemistry).
Organisation in charge of development
Bavarian Water Management Agency contracted by the The Working Group on water issues (LAWA)
Organisation in charge of application
Environment agencies of Federal States
Reference
Schaumburg, J., Schranz, C., Stelter, D. & Hofmann, G. (2007): Action Instructions for the ecological Evaluation of Lakes for Implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive: Makrophytes and Phytobenthos.
Links
www.lfu.bayern.de [October 2007]
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Makrophytenverödung [Macrophyte depopulation ]
Indicator name Makrophytenverödung Indicator abbreviation n.a. Country Germany Organismgroup Macrophytes Status of development complete Relation to WFD-guidelines Abundance Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
Macrophyte depopulation is core metric in PHYLIB, module Macrophytes.
Description (aim, method)
If for a particular sampling site macrophyte depopulation is apparent, it must be verified if this is the result of natural causes or due to human influence e.g. eutrophication. Macrophyte degeneration must always be proven and need back up by structural, physical, chemical and biological investigations. Depopulation can be the result of trophic or saprobic stress, influence of herbicides, severe acidification, clearing or mowing of the site or introduction of herbivorous fish.
Climate change influence
Macrophyte growth depends on nutrients and water temperature. Macrophyte depopulation might occur more often under high stress, potentially aggraveted by neophytic species not (yet) considered, eventually it does not allow the use of PHYLIB any more.
Stressor addressed
Eutrophication
Stressor influence on indicator
The metric value declines with increasing eutrophication.
Specification of water type
Available for all German Macrophyte and Phytobenthos biocoenotic types (according to ecoregion, hydromorphology and geochemistry).
Organisation in charge of development
Bavarian Water Management Agency contracted by the The Working Group on water issues (LAWA)
Organisation in charge of application
Environment agencies of Federal States
Reference
Schaumburg, J., Schranz, C., Stelter, D. & Hofmann, G. (2007): Action Instructions for the ecological Evaluation of Lakes for Implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive: Makrophytes and Phytobenthos.
Links
www.lfu.bayern.de [October 2007]
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PHYTOSEE (Phytosee Index) [Phytoplankton-Lake Index]
Indicator name PHYTOSEE (Phytosee Index) Indicator abbreviation PSI Country Germany Organismgroup Phytoplankton Status of development developed, currently tested Relation to WFD-guidelines Abundance, composition, bloom frequency/intensity, biomass Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
PHYTOSEE is a multi metric assessment system for phytoplankton in lakes. Four metrics consider aspects of biovolume and indicator taxa; metrics are weighted differently according to lake type.
Description (aim, method)
PHYTOSEE is a multi metric assessment system lakes and comprises three (four for lowland lakes) different metrics:
- biomass index
- algae classes: proportion of volume of algae classes to overall bio volume in certain time stages
- Phytoplankton-Taxa-Lake-Index (PTSI): Trophy indication by indicator taxa, incl. Diatoms
- Profundal-Diatomeen-Index (DIPROF, sedimented Diatoms, in selected lowland lake types)
Climate change influence
As climate conditions change, effects either directly on biota or indirectly by effects on hydrology / morphology / (biogeo-) chemistry may occur and enforce community change. Indicator organismens may be influenced (resulting in change of presence / absence or abundance), meaning that the assessment system may loose it’s ability to stressor specific assessment. This may require modification of indicator organisms used, respective indicator values, threshold value shifting or additional modules.
PHYTOSEE may be especially affected by increased eutrophication, leading to increasingly high (then unspecific) assessment results.Stressor addressed
Eutrophication
Stressor influence on indicator
The assessment system indicates eutrophication, the metric values increase with increasing stress.
Specification of water type
Available for all German lake types.
Organisation in charge of development
Collaborative project of BTU, IGB and LBH contracted by The Working Group on water issues (LAWA)
Organisation in charge of application
Environment agencies of Federal States
Reference
Mischke, U., Riedmüller, U., Hoehn, E. Schönfelder, I. & B. Nixdorf (2008): Description of the German system for phytoplankton-based assessment of lakes for implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). In: Mischke, U. & B. Nixdorf (Hrsg.), Gewäserreport (Nr. 10), BTUC-AR 2/2008, ISBN 978-3-940471-06-2, Eigenverlag BTU Cottbus, 117-146.
Mischke, U. & J. Böhmer (31-03-2008): Software PhytoSee Version 3.0 Preliminary English Version of the calculation program for German Phyto-See-Index (PSI) according to Mischke et al. 2008 to assess natural lakes to implement the European Water Framework Directive including instructions for data preparation and program use in PhytoSee_import_tables.xls. Free Internet Download (PhytoSee_Vers3_0_eng.zip)
Links
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Biomasse-Index [Biomass Index]
Indicator name Biomasse-Index Indicator abbreviation BMI Country Germany Organismgroup Phytoplankton Status of development developed, currently tested Relation to WFD-guidelines Biomass Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
The BMI is a core metric in PHYTOSEE.
Description (aim, method)
The Biomass Index describes the total biovolume of phytoplankton algae. The average biovolume is compared to an assessment value and assigned a lake type specific ecological quality class.
Climate change influence
Total biomass of the Phytoplankton depends on the phytoplankton growth, which is dependend on nutrients and water temperature. Higher temperatures will enhance growth rates espacially in early spring and late fall, leading to increased metric values, not due to higher nutrient concentrations.
Stressor addressed
Eutrophication
Stressor influence on indicator
The metric value increases with increasing eutrophication.
Specification of water type
Available for all German lake types, despite mountain lakes due to lack of data.
Organisation in charge of development
Collaborative project of BTU, IGB and LBH contracted by The Working Group on water issues (LAWA)
Organisation in charge of application
Environment agencies of Federal States
Reference
Mischke, U., Riedmüller, U., Hoehn, E. Schönfelder, I. & B. Nixdorf (2008): Description of the German system for phytoplankton-based assessment of lakes for implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). In: Mischke, U. & B. Nixdorf (Hrsg.), Gewäserreport (Nr. 10), BTUC-AR 2/2008, ISBN 978-3-940471-06-2, Eigenverlag BTU Cottbus, 117-146.
Mischke, U. & J. Böhmer (31-03-2008): Software PhytoSee Version 3.0 Preliminary English Version of the calculation program for German Phyto-See-Index (PSI) according to Mischke et al. 2008 to assess natural lakes to implement the European Water Framework Directive including instructions for data preparation and program use in PhytoSee_import_tables.xls. Free Internet Download (PhytoSee_Vers3_0_eng.zip)
Links
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Algenklassen [Algae classes]
Indicator name Algenklassen Indicator abbreviation AK Country Germany Organismgroup Phytoplankton Status of development developed, currently tested Relation to WFD-guidelines Composition Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
The Algae classes is a core metric in PHYTOSEE.
Description (aim, method)
The metric algae classes describes the proportion of algae classes (volume) to overall bio volume in certain time stages. For different lake types different metric specificiations are used, such as dominance value of an algaeclass, absolute biovolume of the algae class, or proportions of certain algae classes.
Climate change influence
The algae classes considered depend on nutrients and water temperature. Higher temperatures, with decreased oxygen concentrations will favour taxa typical for higher trophic states. Thus higher metric values, not due to higher nutrient concentrations will occur more frequently.
Stressor addressed
Eutrophication
Stressor influence on indicator
The metric value increases with increasing eutrophication.
Specification of water type
Available for all German lake types, despite mountain lakes due to lack of data.
Organisation in charge of development
Collaborative project of BTU, IGB and LBH contracted by The Working Group on water issues (LAWA)
Organisation in charge of application
Environment agencies of Federal States
Reference
Mischke, U., Riedmüller, U., Hoehn, E. Schönfelder, I. & B. Nixdorf (2008): Description of the German system for phytoplankton-based assessment of lakes for implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). In: Mischke, U. & B. Nixdorf (Hrsg.), Gewäserreport (Nr. 10), BTUC-AR 2/2008, ISBN 978-3-940471-06-2, Eigenverlag BTU Cottbus, 117-146.
Mischke, U. & J. Böhmer (31-03-2008): Software PhytoSee Version 3.0 Preliminary English Version of the calculation program for German Phyto-See-Index (PSI) according to Mischke et al. 2008 to assess natural lakes to implement the European Water Framework Directive including instructions for data preparation and program use in PhytoSee_import_tables.xls. Free Internet Download (PhytoSee_Vers3_0_eng.zip)
Links
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Phytoplankton-Taxa-Seen-Index [Phytoplankton-Taxa-Lake-Index]
Indicator name Phytoplankton-Taxa-Seen-Index Indicator abbreviation PTSI Country Germany Organismgroup Phytoplankton Status of development developed, currently tested Relation to WFD-guidelines Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
The PTSI is a core metric in PHYTOSEE.
Description (aim, method)
The PTSI is calculated similar to the Saprobic Index, i.e. based on trophic index values and weighted averaging.
Climate change influence
Indicator taxa considered in the PTSI depend on nutrients and water temperature. Increasing eutrophication and/or higher temperatures, might result in more frequent misevalutation of the trophic status.
Stressor addressed
Eutrophication
Stressor influence on indicator
The metric value increases with increasing eutrophication.
Specification of water type
Available for all German lake types, despite mountain lakes due to lack of data.
Organisation in charge of development
Collaborative project of BTU, IGB and LBH contracted by The Working Group on water issues (LAWA)
Organisation in charge of application
Environment agencies of Federal States
Reference
Mischke, U., Riedmüller, U., Hoehn, E. Schönfelder, I. & B. Nixdorf (2008): Description of the German system for phytoplankton-based assessment of lakes for implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). In: Mischke, U. & B. Nixdorf (Hrsg.), Gewäserreport (Nr. 10), BTUC-AR 2/2008, ISBN 978-3-940471-06-2, Eigenverlag BTU Cottbus, 117-146.
Mischke, U. & J. Böhmer (31-03-2008): Software PhytoSee Version 3.0 Preliminary English Version of the calculation program for German Phyto-See-Index (PSI) according to Mischke et al. 2008 to assess natural lakes to implement the European Water Framework Directive including instructions for data preparation and program use in PhytoSee_import_tables.xls. Free Internet Download (PhytoSee_Vers3_0_eng.zip)
Links
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Profundal-Diatomeen-Index [Profundal-Diatom-Index]
Indicator name Profundal-Diatomeen-Index Indicator abbreviation DIPROF Country Germany Organismgroup Phytoplankton Status of development developed, currently tested Relation to WFD-guidelines Abundance, composition Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
DIPROF is a core metric in PHYTOSEE.
Description (aim, method)
The Profundal-Diatoms-Index analyses sedimented Diatoms and their relative composition. The trophic index is determined from the dominance values of plankton taxa (DOM-Wi) and assigned trophic (TO-PROFi) and weighting values (G-PROFi).
Calculating the DI-PROF Index is only necessary if the PTSI is not valid due to too few indicator taxa; otherwise it supports the pelagic diatom analyses.Climate change influence
Indicator taxa considered in the DIPROF-Index depend on nutrients and water temperature. Increasing eutrophication and/or higher temperatures, might result in more frequent misevalutation of the trophic status.
Stressor addressed
Eutrophication
Stressor influence on indicator
The metric value increases with increasing eutrophication.
Specification of water type
Available for certain lowland lake types.
Organisation in charge of development
Collaborative project of BTU, IGB and LBH contracted by The Working Group on water issues (LAWA)
Organisation in charge of application
Environment agencies of Federal States
Reference
Mischke, U., Riedmüller, U., Hoehn, E. Schönfelder, I. & B. Nixdorf (2008): Description of the German system for phytoplankton-based assessment of lakes for implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD). In: Mischke, U. & B. Nixdorf (Hrsg.), Gewäserreport (Nr. 10), BTUC-AR 2/2008, ISBN 978-3-940471-06-2, Eigenverlag BTU Cottbus, 117-146.
Mischke, U. & J. Böhmer (31-03-2008): Software PhytoSee Version 3.0 Preliminary English Version of the calculation program for German Phyto-See-Index (PSI) according to Mischke et al. 2008 to assess natural lakes to implement the European Water Framework Directive including instructions for data preparation and program use in PhytoSee_import_tables.xls. Free Internet Download (PhytoSee_Vers3_0_eng.zip)
Links
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Leitbildbezogenes Bewertungsverfahren für Makrozoobenthos in stehenden Gewässern [Assessment system for lakes using benthic macroinvertebrates]
Indicator name Leitbildbezogenes Bewertungsverfahren für Makrozoobenthos in stehenden Gewässern Indicator abbreviation n.a. Country Germany Organismgroup Benthic invertebrates Status of development developed, currently tested Relation to WFD-guidelines Abundance, composition, diversity, presence of sensitive taxa Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
Multimetric assessment stystem includes several core metrics, depending on lake type; core metrics are averaged.
Description (aim, method)
This is a multi metric assessment system including several core metrics, describing habitat preferences, trophic status, feeding type; three to seven core metrics depending on lake type are averaged.
Climate change influence
As climate conditions change, effects either directly on biota or indirectly by effects on hydrology / morphology / (biogeo-) chemistry may occur and enforce community change. Indicator organismens may be influenced (resulting in change of presence / absence or abundance), meaning that the assessment system may loose it’s ability to stream type and stressor specific assessment. This may require modification of indicator organisms used, respective indicator values, threshold value shifting or additional modules.
The macroinvertebrates may be especially affected by an increase of temperature, linked to decreasing oxygen conditions, which is the essential parameter to many benthic invertebrates. Overall assessment results may decrease and turn out stressor unspecific.Stressor addressed
Hydromorphological degradation (shore), toxic substances, eutrophication
Stressor influence on indicator
The metric value declines with increasing stress.
Specification of water type
So far developed for lakes in northern Germany, extension planned for alpine/prealpine lakes.
Organisation in charge of development
University of Hohenheim contracted by The Working Group on water issues (LAWA)
Organisation in charge of application
Environment agencies of Federal States
Reference
Baier, B., Rawer-Jost, C., Zenker, A., & Böhmer, J., (2005): Leitbildbezogenes Bewertungsverfahren für Makrozoobenthos in stehenden Gewässern. Abschlussbericht im Auftrag der Länderarbeitsgemeinschaft Wasser. Förderkennzeichen: OK 5.89.
Links
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Fish [n.a.]
Indicator name Fish Indicator abbreviation n.a. Country Germany Organismgroup Fish Status of development no valid system available yet Relation to WFD-guidelines Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Description (aim, method)
Development of a type specific method to assessment the ecological status of lakes according to the fish community. The assessment system will be based on fish community traits and compared to reference conditions.
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
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KaderRichtlijn Water (KRW) maatlat [WFD assessment system]
Indicator name KaderRichtlijn Water (KRW) maatlat Indicator abbreviation KRW maatlat Country The Netherlands Organismgroup Benthic invertebrates Status of development complete, but changes in the future possible Relation to WFD-guidelines Abundance, composition, presence of sensitive/insensitive taxa Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
The assessment systems comprises of separate modules for each organism group. For each organism group several aspects of the community are assessed, using varying metrics. The ecological status is evaluated by combining all three module results and adhering to the "worst case principle".
Description (aim, method)
A benthic invertebrate sample is assessed based on a taxa list, from which indices ("metrics") are calculated. A software program called QBWAT is available at www.roelfpot.nl/qbwat for this purpose. The following metrics are used to determine the ecological quality class: the percentage of sensitive taxa, the percentage of individuals of species that are dominant in cases of antropogenic influences, the precentage of individuals of species that are dominant in a pristine situation.
Climate change influence
As nutrient and temperature conditions change, indicator organism communities may change and the assessment system may loose it’s ability to stream type specific assessment. This may require modification of indicator organisms used, respective indicator values or threshold value shifting.
Stressor addressed
General degradation
Stressor influence on indicator
The assessment system comprises one module for each organism group. For each organism group several metrics are calculated. Metrics are not developed to indicate a specific stressor. The different metric results are averaged and from this the ecological quality class is determined for the organism group. The overall assessment system adheres to the worst case principle, i.e. the worst module result determines the assessment result.
Specification of water type
Available for 17 Dutch water types; 7 lake types and 10 river types (class boundaries and metrics used will vary depending on the water type).
Organisation in charge of development
contractor: Stichting Toegepast Waterbeheer (STOWA), development: by a large number of experts from water authorities and private consultancy agencies
Organisation in charge of application
Water authorities
Reference
Van der Molen , D.T. and Pot, R. (eds.) (2007): Referenties en maatlatten voor natuurlijke watertypen voor de kaderrichtlijn water. Utrecht, STOWA.
Links
themas.stowa.nl [december 2007] http://www.roelfpot.nl/qbwat [january 2008]
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Percentage of negative dominant indicators [WFD assessment system]
Indicator name Percentage of negative dominant indicators Indicator abbreviation DN (%) Country The Netherlands Organismgroup Benthic invertebrates Status of development complete, but changes in the future possible Relation to WFD-guidelines Composition, abundance, presence of insensitive taxa Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
The metric DN (%) together with the metrics KM (%) and DP (%) are part of KRW maatlat and used to calculate the EQR. For this purpose the following equation is used for the 7 lake types: EQR = { 200*(KM%/KMmax) + (100-DN%) + (KM%+DP%) }/400 for lakes. There are two slightly different equations for the diffrent river types. KMmax depends on the watertype and is the theoretical maximum number of positive indicator species under reference conditions.
Description (aim, method)
Negative dominant indicators are species that become dominant when the ecological status of a watertype is bad. For each watertype a list of negative dominant indicators was devised. A benthic invertebrate sample is compared to this list and all individuals that are on the list with negative dominant indicators are summed and divided by the total number of individuals in the sample.
Climate change influence
As nutrient and temperature conditions change, the negative dominant indicators may become more dominant under reference conditions or other species might become more dominating with stress. This may require modification of indicator organisms used and/or treshhold values.
Stressor addressed
General degradation
Stressor influence on indicator
The percentage of negative dominant indicators will increase with increasing stress.
Specification of water type
Available for 17 Dutch water types; 7 lake types and 10 river types (class boundaries and metrics used will vary depending on the water type).
Organisation in charge of development
contractor: Stichting Toegepast Waterbeheer (STOWA), development: by a large number of experts from water authorities and private consultancy agencies
Organisation in charge of application
Water authorities
Reference
Van der Molen , D.T. and Pot, R. (eds.) (2007): Referenties en maatlatten voor natuurlijke watertypen voor de kaderrichtlijn water. Utrecht, STOWA.
Links
themas.stowa.nl [december 2007]
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Percentage of positive indicators [WFD assessment system]
Indicator name Percentage of positive indicators Indicator abbreviation KM (%) Country The Netherlands Organismgroup Benthic invertebrates Status of development complete, but changes in the future possible Relation to WFD-guidelines Composition, presence of sensitive taxa Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
The metric KM (%) together with the metrics DN (%) and DP (%) are part of KRW maatlat and used to calculate the EQR. For this purpose the following equation is used for the 7 lake types: EQR = { 200*(KM%/KMmax) + (100-DN%) + (KM%+DP%) }/400 for lakes. There are two slightly different equations for the diffrent river types. KMmax depends on the watertype and is the theoretical maximum number of positive indicator species under reference conditions.
Description (aim, method)
Positive indicators are taxa that are found under reference conditions. For each watertype a list of positive indicators was devised. A benthic invertebrate sample is compared to this list and all taxa that are on the list with positive indicators are summed and divided by the total number of taxa in the sample.
Climate change influence
As nutrient and temperature conditions change, species that are specific for reference conditions in the current situation might disappear and new species might become common. This may require modification of the list with positive indicators and/or treshold values.
Stressor addressed
General degradation
Stressor influence on indicator
The percentage of positive indicators will decrease with increasing stress.
Specification of water type
Available for 17 Dutch water types; 7 lake types and 10 river types (class boundaries and metrics used will vary depending on the water type).
Organisation in charge of development
contractor: Stichting Toegepast Waterbeheer (STOWA), development: by a large number of experts from water authorities and private consultancy agencies
Organisation in charge of application
Water authorities
Reference
Van der Molen , D.T. and Pot, R. (eds.) (2007): Referenties en maatlatten voor natuurlijke watertypen voor de kaderrichtlijn water. Utrecht, STOWA.
Links
themas.stowa.nl [december 2007]
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Percentage of positive dominant indicators [WFD assessment system]
Indicator name Percentage of positive dominant indicators Indicator abbreviation DP(%) Country The Netherlands Organismgroup Benthic invertebrates Status of development complete, but changes in the future possible Relation to WFD-guidelines Composition, abundance, presence of sensitive taxa Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
The metric KP (%) together with the metrics DN (%) and KM (%) are part of KRW maatlat and used to calculate the EQR. For this purpose the following equation is used for the 7 lake types: EQR = { 200*(KM%/KMmax) + (100-DN%) + (KM%+DP%) }/400 for lakes. There are two slightly different equations for the diffrent river types. KMmax depends on the watertype and is the theoretical maximum number of positive indicator species under reference conditions.
Description (aim, method)
Positive dominant indicators are species that become dominant when the ecological status of a watertype is high. For each watertype a list of positive dominant indicators was devised. A benthic invertebrate sample is compared to this list and all individuals that are on the list with positive dominant indicators are summed and divided by the total number of individuals in the sample.
Climate change influence
As nutrient and temperature conditions change, other species may become more dominant under reference conditions. This may require modification of indicator organisms used and/or treshhold values.
Stressor addressed
General degradation
Stressor influence on indicator
The percentage of positive dominant indicators will decrease with increasing stress.
Specification of water type
Available for 17 Dutch water types; 7 lake types and 10 river types (class boundaries and metrics used will vary depending on the water type).
Organisation in charge of development
contractor: Stichting Toegepast Waterbeheer (STOWA), development: by a large number of experts from water authorities and private consultancy agencies
Organisation in charge of application
Water authorities
Reference
Van der Molen , D.T. and Pot, R. (eds.) (2007): Referenties en maatlatten voor natuurlijke watertypen voor de kaderrichtlijn water. Utrecht, STOWA.
Links
themas.stowa.nl [december 2007]
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KaderRichtlijn Water (KRW) maatlat [WFD assessment system]
Indicator name KaderRichtlijn Water (KRW) maatlat Indicator abbreviation KRW maatlat Country The Netherlands Organismgroup Fish Status of development complete, but changes in the future possible Relation to WFD-guidelines Abundance, composition, presence of sensitive/insensitive taxa, life cycle / age structure (only for some watertypes) Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
The assessment systems comprises of separate modules for each organism group. For each organism group several aspects of the community are assessed, using varying metrics. The ecological status is evaluated by combining all three module results and adhering to the "worst case principle".
Description (aim, method)
A fish sample is assessed based on a taxa list, from which indices ("metrics") are calculated. A software program called QBWAT is available at www.roelfpot.nl/qbwat for this purpose. The metrics used to determine the ecological quality class vary depending on the water type.
Climate change influence
As nutrient and temperature conditions change, indicator organism communities may change and the assessment system may loose it’s ability to stream type specific assessment. This may require modification of indicator organisms used, respective indicator values or threshold value shifting.
Stressor addressed
General degradation
Stressor influence on indicator
The assessment system comprises one module for each organism group. For each organism group several metrics are calculated. Metrics are not developed to indicate a specific stressor. The different metric results are averaged and from this the ecological quality class is determined for the organism group. The overall assessment system adheres to the worst case principle, i.e. the worst module result determines the assessment result.
Specification of water type
Available for 17 Dutch water types; 7 lake types and 10 river types (class boundaries and metrics used will vary depending on the water type).
Organisation in charge of development
contractor: Stichting Toegepast Waterbeheer (STOWA), development: by a large number of experts from water authorities and private consultancy agencies
Organisation in charge of application
Water authorities
Reference
Van der Molen , D.T. and Pot, R. (eds.) (2007): Referenties en maatlatten voor natuurlijke watertypen voor de kaderrichtlijn water. Utrecht, STOWA.
Links
themas.stowa.nl [december 2007] http://www.roelfpot.nl/qbwat [january 2008]
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Species composition [WFD assessment system]
Indicator name Species composition Indicator abbreviation n.a. Country The Netherlands Organismgroup Fish Status of development complete, but changes in the future possible Relation to WFD-guidelines Composition, presence of sensitive taxa Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
The metric comprises of three separate metrics: (1) the number of diadrome fish species, (2) the number of rheophilic fish species, and (3) the number of limnophilic fish species. The metric species composition forms together with the metric abundance the KRW maatlat for fish.
Description (aim, method)
A fish sample is compared to a list of diadrome, rheophilic and limnophilic fish species. For each category a score is assigned between zero and 1 based on the number of species present. The final score is the average of the three categories.
Climate change influence
As nutrient and temperature conditions change, the species composition may become unified under reference conditions or other species might become dominating with stress. This may require modification of indicator organisms used and/or treshhold values.
Stressor addressed
General degradation
Stressor influence on indicator
The number of diadrome, rheophilic and/or limnophilic species will increase with decreasing stress.
Specification of water type
Example of the fish metrics for the KRW maatlat for watertype: "slow flowing river on sand/clay".
Organisation in charge of development
contractor: Stichting Toegepast Waterbeheer (STOWA), development: by a large number of experts from water authorities and private consultancy agencies
Organisation in charge of application
Water authorities
Reference
Van der Molen , D.T. and Pot, R. (eds.) (2007): Referenties en maatlatten voor natuurlijke watertypen voor de kaderrichtlijn water. Utrecht, STOWA.
Links
themas.stowa.nl [december 2007]
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Abundance [WFD assessment system]
Indicator name Abundance Indicator abbreviation n.a. Country The Netherlands Organismgroup Fish Status of development complete, but changes in the future possible Relation to WFD-guidelines Abundance (weight), composition, presence of sensitive taxa Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
The metric comprises of two separate metrics: (1) the percentage of rheophilic fish species, and (2) the percentage of limnophilic fish species. The metric abundance forms together with the metric species composition the KRW maatlat for fish.
Description (aim, method)
A fish sample is compared to a list of rheophilic and limnophilic fish species. For each catgory a score is assigned between zero and 1, depending on the relative weight of the rheophilic and limnophilic fish. The final score is the average of the two categories.
Climate change influence
As nutrient and temperature conditions change, abundance may change under reference conditions or other species might become more dominating with stress. This may require modification of abundance threshold values applied.
Stressor addressed
General degradation
Stressor influence on indicator
The percentage of rheophilic and limnophilic species will increase with decresing stress.
Specification of water type
Example of the fish metrics for the KRW maatlat for watertype: "slow flowing river on sand/clay".
Organisation in charge of development
contractor: Stichting Toegepast Waterbeheer (STOWA), development: by a large number of experts from water authorities and private consultancy agencies
Organisation in charge of application
Water authorities
Reference
Van der Molen , D.T. and Pot, R. (eds.) (2007): Referenties en maatlatten voor natuurlijke watertypen voor de kaderrichtlijn water. Utrecht, STOWA.
Links
themas.stowa.nl [december 2007]
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KaderRichtlijn Water (KRW) maatlat [WFD assessment system]
Indicator name KaderRichtlijn Water (KRW) maatlat Indicator abbreviation KRW maatlat Country The Netherlands Organismgroup Diatoms Status of development under development Relation to WFD-guidelines n.a. Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
The assessment systems comprises of separate modules for each organism group. For each organism group several aspects of the community are assessed, using varying metrics. The ecological status is evaluated by combining all three module results and adhering to the "worst case principle".
Description (aim, method)
n.a.
Climate change influence
As nutrient and temperature conditions change, indicator organism communities may change and the assessment system may loose it’s ability to stream type specific assessment. This may require modification of indicator organisms used, respective indicator values or threshold value shifting.
Stressor addressed
Eutrophication
Stressor influence on indicator
The assessment system comprises one module for each organism group. For each organism group several metrics are calculated. Metrics are not developed to indicate a specific stressor. The different metric results are averaged and from this the ecological quality class is determined for the organism group. The overall assessment system adheres to the worst case principle, i.e. the worst module result determines the assessment result.
Specification of water type
Not yet available.
Organisation in charge of development
contractor: Stichting Toegepast Waterbeheer (STOWA), development: by a large number of experts from water authorities and private consultancy agencies
Organisation in charge of application
Water authorities
Reference
Van der Molen , D.T. and Pot, R. (eds.) (2007): Referenties en maatlatten voor natuurlijke watertypen voor de kaderrichtlijn water. Utrecht, STOWA.
Links
themas.stowa.nl [december 2007]
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KaderRichtlijn Water (KRW) maatlat [WFD assessment system]
Indicator name KaderRichtlijn Water (KRW) maatlat Indicator abbreviation KRW maatlat Country The Netherlands Organismgroup Macrophytes Status of development complete, but changes in the future possible Relation to WFD-guidelines Abundance, composition, presence of sensitive/insensitive taxa Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
The assessment systems comprises of separate modules for each organism group. For each organism group several aspects of the community are assessed, using varying metrics. The ecological status is evaluated by combining all three module results and adhering to the "worst case principle".
Description (aim, method)
A macrophyte survey is assessed based on a taxa list, from which indices ("metrics") are calculated. A software program called QBWAT is available at www.roelfpot.nl/qbwat for this purpose. The following metrics are used to determine the ecological quality class: the abundance of different growth forms, the presence and abundance of sensitive taxa.
Climate change influence
As nutrient and temperature conditions change, indicator organism communities may change and the assessment system may loose it’s ability to stream type specific assessment. This may require modification of indicator organisms used, respective indicator values or threshold value shifting.
Stressor addressed
General degradation
Stressor influence on indicator
The assessment system comprises one module for each organism group. For each organism group several metrics are calculated. Metrics are not developed to indicate a specific stressor. The different metric results are averaged and from this the ecological quality class is determined for the organism group. The overall assessment system adheres to the worst case principle, i.e. the worst module result determines the assessment result.
Specification of water type
Available for 17 Dutch water types; 7 lake types and 10 river types (class boundaries and metrics used will vary depending on the water type).
Organisation in charge of development
contractor: Stichting Toegepast Waterbeheer (STOWA), development: by a large number of experts from water authorities and private consultancy agencies
Organisation in charge of application
Water authorities
Reference
Van der Molen , D.T. and Pot, R. (eds.) (2007): Referenties en maatlatten voor natuurlijke watertypen voor de kaderrichtlijn water. Utrecht, STOWA.
Links
themas.stowa.nl [december 2007] http://www.roelfpot.nl/qbwat [january 2008]
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Growth form [WFD assessment system]
Indicator name Growth form Indicator abbreviation n.a. Country The Netherlands Organismgroup Macrophytes Status of development complete, but changes in the future possible Relation to WFD-guidelines Abundance, presence of insensitive taxa Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
The metric comprises of four separate metrics: (1) the percentage of cover by emergent, floating and submerged macrophyptes, (2) the percentage of coverage by floating masses of filamentous algae, (3) the percentage of cover by duckweed, (4) the percentage of the (river)bank by forest. Growth form together with the metric species composition forms the KRW maatlat for macrohytes.
Description (aim, method)
Coverage of the watercolumn (or water surface) by the different growth forms is estimated in the field. For each catagory a score is assigned between zero and 1, depending on the coverage. The final score is the average of the four categories.
Climate change influence
Macrophyte growth depends on nutrients and water temperature. Macrophyte growth rates might increase due to higher tempratures and start earlier in spring. This may require modification of of threshold value shifting.
Stressor addressed
General degradation
Stressor influence on indicator
The percentage of cover by emergent, floating and submerged macrohytes increases with decreasing stress, but coverage higher than 60% indicates less than high ecological quality (good or moderate ecological quality). The percentage of cover by floating filamentous algae increases with increasing stress; the same goes for the percentage of cover by of duckweed. The percentage of the (river)bank covered by forst decreases with increasing stress.
Specification of water type
Example of the macrohphyte metrics for the KRW maatlat for watertype: "slow flowing middle and down stream reaches of streams on sand".
Organisation in charge of development
contractor: Stichting Toegepast Waterbeheer (STOWA), development: by a large number of experts from water authorities and private consultancy agencies
Organisation in charge of application
Water authorities
Reference
Van der Molen , D.T. and Pot, R. (eds.) (2007): Referenties en maatlatten voor natuurlijke watertypen voor de kaderrichtlijn water. Utrecht, STOWA.
Links
themas.stowa.nl [december 2007]
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Species composition [WFD assessment system]
Indicator name Species composition Indicator abbreviation n.a. Country The Netherlands Organismgroup Macrophytes Status of development complete, but changes in the future possible Relation to WFD-guidelines Abundance, composition, presence of sensitive/insensitive taxa Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
Species composition together with the metric growth form is part of the KRW maatlat for macrophytes.
Description (aim, method)
The species of the macrophyte survey are compared to the indicator list. Each species present on this list receives a score varying from 0 to 4 depending on its abundance and its sensitivity to stress. The scores for the individual species are summed and devided by the maximum score (theoretical) possible. The resulting percentage determines the ecological quality class.
Climate change influence
Macrophyte growth depends on nutrients and water temperature. Macrophyte growth rates might increase due to higher tempratures and start earlier in spring. Taxa classified as sensitive might decrease and taxa insensitive to stress might increase. This may require modification of indicator organisms used, respective indicator values or threshold value shifting.
Stressor addressed
General degradation
Stressor influence on indicator
Metric value will increase with decreasing stress, because more sensitive taxa will be present.
Specification of water type
Available for 17 Dutch water types; 7 lake types and 10 river types (class boundaries and metrics used will vary depending on the water type).
Organisation in charge of development
contractor: Stichting Toegepast Waterbeheer (STOWA), development: by a large number of experts from water authorities and private consultancy agencies
Organisation in charge of application
Water authorities
Reference
Van der Molen , D.T. and Pot, R. (eds.) (2007): Referenties en maatlatten voor natuurlijke watertypen voor de kaderrichtlijn water. Utrecht, STOWA.
Links
themas.stowa.nl [december 2007]
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KaderRichtlijn Water (KRW) maatlat [WFD assessment system]
Indicator name KaderRichtlijn Water (KRW) maatlat Indicator abbreviation KRW maatlat Country The Netherlands Organismgroup Phytoplankton Status of development complete, but changes in the future possible Relation to WFD-guidelines Composition, bloom intensity, biomass Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
The assessment systems comprises of separate modules for each organism group. For each organism group several aspects of the community are assessed, using varying metrics. The ecological status is evaluated by combining all three module results and adhering to the "worst case principle".
Description (aim, method)
Phytoplankton samples are assessed based on a taxa list, from which indices ("metrics") are calculated. A software program called QBWAT is available at www.roelfpot.nl/qbwat for this purpose. The following metrics are used to determine the ecological quality class: chlorophyll-a concentration, blooms of taxa insensitive to antropogenic disturbance.
Climate change influence
As nutrient and temperature conditions change, indicator organism communities may change and the assessment system may loose it’s ability to stream type specific assessment. This may require modification of indicator organisms used, respective indicator values or threshold value shifting.
Stressor addressed
Eutrophication
Stressor influence on indicator
The assessment system comprises one module for each organism group. For each organism group several metrics are calculated. Metrics are not developed to indicate a specific stressor. The different metric results are averaged and from this the ecological quality class is determined for the organism group. The overall assessment system adheres to the worst case principle, i.e. the worst module result determines the assessment result.
Specification of water type
Available for 7 Dutch lake types (class boundaries and indicators will vary depending on the water type).
Organisation in charge of development
contractor: Stichting Toegepast Waterbeheer (STOWA), development: by a large number of experts from water authorities and private consultancy agencies
Organisation in charge of application
Water authorities
Reference
Van der Molen , D.T. and Pot, R. (eds.) (2007): Referenties en maatlatten voor natuurlijke watertypen voor de kaderrichtlijn water. Utrecht, STOWA.
Links
themas.stowa.nl [december 2007] http://www.roelfpot.nl/qbwat [january 2008]
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Chlorophyll-a concentration [WFD assessment system]
Indicator name Chlorophyll-a concentration Indicator abbreviation n.a. Country The Netherlands Organismgroup Phytoplankton Status of development complete, but changes in the future possible Relation to WFD-guidelines Biomass Threshold value high / good n.a Threshold value good / moderate n.a Multi metric index
Chlorophyll-a concentration together with the metric blooms is part of the KRW maatlat for phytoplankton.
Description (aim, method)
Chlorophyll-a concentrations of monthly water samples taken from april to september are averaged. The ecological quality class is determined based on this average concentration.
Climate change influence
Phytoplankton growth depends on nutrients and water temperature. Chlorophyll-a concentrations might increase under reference conditions with increasing water temperature and nutrients. Treshold values will probably have to be modified for this reason.
Stressor addressed
Eutrophication
Stressor influence on indicator
Chlorophyll-a concentrations increase with increasing stress.
Specification of water type
Available for 7 Dutch lake types (class boundaries will vary depending on the water type).
Organisation in charge of development
contractor: Stichting Toegepast Waterbeheer (STOWA), development: by a large number of experts from water authorities and private consultancy agencies
Organisation in charge of application
Water authorities
Reference
Van der Molen , D.T. and Pot, R. (eds.) (2007): Referenties en maatlatten voor natuurlijke watertypen voor de kaderrichtlijn water. Utrecht, STOWA.
Links
themas.stowa.nl [december 2007]
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Blooms [WFD assessment system]
Indicator name Blooms Indicator abbreviation n.a. Country The Netherlands Organismgroup Phytoplankton Status of development complete, but changes in the future possible Relation to WFD-guidelines Bloom intensity, composition Threshold value high / good n.a Threshold value good / moderate n.a Multi metric index
Blooms together with the metric chlorophyll-a concentration is part of the KRW maatlat for phytoplankton.
Description (aim, method)
A list of taxa that can form blooms is drafted. Treshold values are given for each taxon on the list. When the biomass of a taxon on the list exceeds the treshold is considered to be a bloom. Each bloom is coupled to an ecological quality class. When there are two or more blooms detected, the bloom that indicates the least favourable status determines the ecological quality class.
Climate change influence
Phytoplankton growth depends on nutrients and water temperature. Blooms that are valued as negative will probably occur more often under reference conditions. For this reason treshold values for blooms and bloom species will probably have to be modified.
Stressor addressed
Eutrophication
Stressor influence on indicator
Blooms of taxa insensitive to stress will occur more frequently in waterbodies of bad ecological status.
Specification of water type
Available for 6 Dutch lake types (class boundaries will vary depending on the water type).
Organisation in charge of development
contractor: Stichting Toegepast Waterbeheer (STOWA), development: by a large number of experts from water authorities and private consultancy agencies
Organisation in charge of application
Water authorities
Reference
Van der Molen , D.T. and Pot, R. (eds.) (2007): Referenties en maatlatten voor natuurlijke watertypen voor de kaderrichtlijn water. Utrecht, STOWA.
Links
themas.stowa.nl [december 2007]
Hydromorphological parameters
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Wasserhaushalt Seen [Hydrological Regime Lakes]
Indicator name Wasserhaushalt Seen Indicator abbreviation n.a. Country Germany Organismgroup Status of development Relation to WFD-guidelines Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
No specific assessment system.
Description (aim, method)
Evaluation of
- Quantity and dynamics of water flow
- Connection to the groundwater body
- Residence time.
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
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Morphologie Seen [Lake morphology]
Indicator name Morphologie Seen Indicator abbreviation n.a. Country Germany Organismgroup Status of development Relation to WFD-guidelines Threshold value high / good - Threshold value good / moderate - Multi metric index
No specific assessment system.
Description (aim, method)
Evaluation of
- Lake depth variation (stratification possible / likely?)
- Quantity, structure and substrate of lake bed (natural / anthropogenic past influences from the catchment)
- Structure of lake shore (anthropogenic stress, erosion processes, effects on stratification).
Climate change influence
Stressor addressed
Hydromorphological degradation
Stressor influence on indicator
Specification of water type
Organisation in charge of development
Organisation in charge of application
Reference
Links
Physico-chemical parameters
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LAWA Index [LAWA Index]
Indicator name LAWA Index Indicator abbreviation n.a. Country Germany Organismgroup Status of development complete Relation to WFD-guidelines Nutrient conditions Threshold value high / good 1.25-3.0 - 1.5-3.5 (depending on lake type) Threshold value good / moderate - Description (aim, method)
Total Phosphorous, Chlorophyll a concentrations and visibility are combined.
Climate change influence
Stressor addressed
Eutrophication
Stressor influence on indicator
Increases with increasing stress.
Specification of water type
Available for all lake types, different threshold values for different water types.
Organisation in charge of development
The Working Group on water issues (LAWA)
Organisation in charge of application
Environment agencies of Federal States
Reference
LAWA (Länderarbeitsgemeinschaft Wasser) (1999): Gewässerbewertung - Stehende Gewässer. Vorläufige Richtlinie für eine Erstbewertung von natürlich entstandenen Seen nach trophischen Kriterien. Kulturbuchverlag, Berlin. 74 S.
Links
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Gesamtphosphor Vegetationsmittelwert (µg/l) [Total Phosphorous]
Indicator name Gesamtphosphor Vegetationsmittelwert (µg/l) Indicator abbreviation n.a. Country Germany Organismgroup Status of development complete Relation to WFD-guidelines Nutrient conditions Threshold value high / good 6-30 - 8-86 (depending on lake type) Threshold value good / moderate - Description (aim, method)
Total Phosphorous, Chlorophyll a concentrations and visibility are combined.
Climate change influence
Stressor addressed
Eutrophication
Stressor influence on indicator
Increases with increasing stress.
Specification of water type
Available for all lake types, different threshold values for different water types.
Organisation in charge of development
Organisation in charge of application
Environment agencies of Federal States
Reference
Links
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Chlorophyll a Vegetationsmittelwert (µg/l) [Chlorophyll a]
Indicator name Chlorophyll a Vegetationsmittelwert (µg/l) Indicator abbreviation n.a. Country Germany Organismgroup Status of development complete Relation to WFD-guidelines Nutrient conditions Threshold value high / good 2.5-16 - 3-31 (depending on lake type) Threshold value good / moderate - Description (aim, method)
Total Phosphorous, Chlorophyll a concentrations and visibility are combined.
Climate change influence
Stressor addressed
Eutrophication
Stressor influence on indicator
Increases with increasing stress.
Specification of water type
Available for all lake types, different threshold values for different water types.
Organisation in charge of development
Organisation in charge of application
Environment agencies of Federal States
Reference
Links
