2008/915/EC: Commission Decision of 30 October 2008 establishing, pursuant to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, the values of the Member State monitoring system classifications as a result of the intercalibration exercise (notified under document number C(2008) 6016) (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2008-10-30
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: European Commission, environmental protection, groundwater, inland waterway, pollution control measures, powers of the institutions (EU), quality of the environment, surface water, territorial waters

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Official Journal of the European Union

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COMMISSION DECISION

of 30 October 2008

establishing, pursuant to Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council, the
values of the Member State monitoring system classifications as a result of the intercalibration
exercise

(notified under document number C(2008) 6016)

(Text with EEA relevance)

(2008/915/EC)

THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu-
nity,

Having regard to Directive 2000/60/EC of
the European
Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing
a framework for Community action in the field of water
policy (1), and in particular section 1.4.1(ix) of Annex V thereof,

Whereas:

(1) Article 4(1)(a)(ii) of Directive 2000/60/EC requires the
Member States to protect, enhance and restore all bodies of
surface water with the aim of achieving good surface water
status at the latest 15 years after the date of entry into force
of the Directive, subject to certain exceptions, in accordance
with the provisions laid down in Annex V thereto. Article 4
(1)(a)(iii) of Directive 2000/60/EC requires the Member
States to protect and enhance all artificial and heavily
modified bodies of water, with the aim of achieving good
ecological potential and good surface water chemical status
at the latest 15 years from the date of entry into force of
that Directive, subject to certain exceptions, in accordance
In
with the provisions laid down in Annex V thereto.
accordance with point (i) of section 1.4.1 of Annex V to
Directive 2000/60/EC the references to ecological status
should be construed as references to ecological potential as
regards artificial and heavily modified water bodies.

(2)

Section 1.4.1 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC provides
a process to ensure the comparability between Member
States of biological monitoring results, being a central part
of
the ecological status classification. This requires the
results of the Member States' monitoring and classification
systems
to be compared through an intercalibration
network comprised of monitoring sites in each Member
State and in each ecoregion of the Community. Directive
2000/60/EC requires the Member States to collect, as
appropriate,
the sites
included in the intercalibration network, in order to enable
the national
the
classification system with the normative definitions of
section 1.2 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC and the
comparability of
the results of classification systems
between the Member States.

the necessary information for

consistency of

assessment of

the

(3) Commission Decision 2005/646/EC of 17 August 2005 on
the establishment of a register of sites to form the
intercalibration network in accordance with Directive
2000/60/EC of
the
Council (2) established the register of sites to form the
intercalibration network referred to in section 1.4.1(vii) of
Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC.

the European Parliament and of

(4)

(5)

(6)

(7)

(8)

are organised in Geographical

In order to carry out the intercalibration exercise Member
States
Intercalibration
Groups, consisting of Member States sharing particular
surface water body types, as defined in Section 2 of the
Annex to Decision 2005/646/EC. This has allowed each
group to compare
results and to perform the
intercalibration exercise among its members.

its

The intercalibration exercise is carried out at biological
element level, comparing the classification results of the
national monitoring systems for each biological element
and for each common surface water body type among
Member States in the same Geographical Intercalibration
Group, and assessing the consistency of the results with the
aforementioned normative definitions.

The ‘Technical report on the Water Framework Directive
intercalibration exercise’ describes
in detail how the
intercalibration exercise has been carried out for the water
categories and biological quality elements included in the
Annex to this Decision.

The Commission has facilitated the intercalibration exercise
through the Institute of Environment and Sustainability of
the Joint Research Centre in Ispra (Italy)
that has
coordinated the technical work.

The intercalibration exercise is a complex scientific and
technical task. The Geographical Intercalibration Groups
have used different methodological options to carry out the
exercise depending on the availability of monitoring data
for the various biological quality elements and the status of
development of the national monitoring and classification
systems. In order to increase the statistical robustness of the

(1) OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 243, 19.9.2005, p. 1.

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results, most of the methodologies used by Geographical
Intercalibration Groups involve the use of data from as
many monitoring points as possible, covering the whole
range of status classes, from high to bad status. Therefore,
monitoring data has been used from sites that are not part
of the intercalibration network, as this comprises only a
limited number of sites of high, good or moderate status.

for only some of

The Commission has received intercalibration results for a
number of biological quality elements that comprise the
definition of ecological status. In some cases results have
been provided for only some parameters of the biological
the Member States
elements or
participating in a Geographical
Intercalibration Group.
Hence, the Commission considers that, for those cases,
comparability is not fully ensured. Further intercalibration
results may therefore be subject to a future Decision when
the relevant information in accordance with Section 1.4.1
of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC will have been
provided by Member States.

is necessary to adopt

the available results of

It
the
intercalibration exercise on time to inform the development
of the first river basin management plans and programmes
of measures in accordance with Articles 11 and 13 of
Directive 2000/60/EC.

(9)

(10)

(11) As a result of the intercalibration exercise, the values of the
ecological quality ratios
the boundaries between
for
ecological status classes for the Member States classification
systems should represent an equivalent ecological status.
The differences in values for the same biological quality
element are due to differences in national methods. In
addition, due to the differences in calculation methods and
other reasons, it is not possible to compare the values of the
ecological quality ratios across different biological quality
elements.

intercalibration exercise for

(12) Parameters like chlorophyll-a concentration, phytoplankton
biovolume, percentage of cyanobacteria or depth limits of
macroalgae and angiosperms do not cover full biological
quality elements. However, due to the availability of data
and assessment methods, they are one of the basis of the
current
lakes and coastal
waters. The values of
those parameters are directly
comparable across Member States, provided the differences
in sampling and analytical methods are taken into account.
For these reasons,
in addition to the ecological quality
ratios, absolute values for these parameters should be
included in the Annex to this Decision as part of the results
of the intercalibration exercise.

(13) The results should refer to the ecological status. If water
bodies corresponding to the intercalibrated types are
designated as heavily modified water bodies in accordance

the results
with Article 4(3) of Directive 2000/60/EC,
presented in the Annex to this Decision may be used to
derive their good ecological potential, taken into account
their physical modifications and their associated water use,
in accordance with the normative definitions in Annex V,
section 1.2.5, to Directive 2000/60/EC.

(14) As established in section 1.4.1(iii) of Annex V to Directive
2000/60/EC, Member States will have to translate the
results of the intercalibration exercise into their national
classification systems in order
the boundaries
between high and good status and between good and
moderate status for all their national types. Guidelines to
translate the intercalibration results
into the national
classification systems and to derive reference conditions
have been developed to support the application of the
results.

to set

(15) The information that will be made available through the
implementation of the monitoring programmes provided
for in Article eight of Directive 2000/60/EC and the review
and update of the characteristics of river basin districts
provided for in Article five of Directive 2000/60/EC can
bring new evidence that may lead to the adaptation to
scientific and technical progress of
the Member States'
monitoring and classification systems and eventually to a
review of the results of the intercalibration exercise in order
to improve their quality.

(16) The measures provided for

in this Decision are in
accordance with the opinion of the Committee referred
to in Article 21(1) of Directive 2000/60/EC,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

For the purpose of section 1.4.1(iii) of Annex V to Directive
2000/60/EC, Member States shall use in their monitoring
systems classification the values of
the boundaries between
classes that are set out in the Annex to this Decision.

Article 2

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 30 October 2008.

For the Commission

Stravros DIMAS

Member of the Commission

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ANNEX

WATER CATEGORY: Rivers

GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: Alpine

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

River characterisation

Catchment (km2)

Altitude and
geomorphology

Alkalinity

Flow regime

R-A1

R-A2

Small to medium,
high altitude cal-
careous

Small to medium,
high altitude, silic-
eous

10-1 000

10-1 000

800-2 500 m
(catchment),
boulders/cobble

high (but not
extremely high)
alkalinity

500-1 000 m
(max. altitude of
catchment
3 000 m, mean
1 500 m),
boulders

Non-calcareous
(granite, meta-
morphic). medium
to low alkalinity

nival-glacial flow
regime

Countries sharing the types that have been intercalibrated

Type R-A1: Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Slovenia

Type R-A2: Austria, France, Italy, Spain, Slovenia

RESULTS

Biological Quality Element: Benthic invertebrate fauna

Results: Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated

Type and country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate
boundary

Type R-A1

Austria

France

Germany

Italy

Slovenia

Type R-A2

Austria

France (Alps)

Austrian System for Ecological River Status Assess-
ment (Worst case between Multimetric Indices for
General Degradation and Saprobic Index)

Classification française DCE Indice Biologique Global
Normalisé (IBGN). Norme AFNOR NF T 90 350
(1992) and circular MEDD/DE/MAGE/BEMA 05
No14 of 28 July 2005 modified on 13 June 2007

PERLODES — Bewertungsverfahren von
Fließgewässern auf Basis des Makrozoobenthos

STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index
(STAR_ICMi)

Slovenian Benthic Invertebrate Assessment System:
Multimetric index (Hydromorphology/General
degradation), Saprobic Index

0,80

0,60

0,93

0,80

0,97

0,80

0,79

0,60

0,73

0,60

Austrian System for Ecological River Status Assess-
ment (Worst case between Multimetric Indices for
General Degradation and Saprobic Index)

Classification française DCE Indice Biologique Global
Normalisé (IBGN). Norme AFNOR NF T 90 350
(1992) and circular MEDD/DE/MAGE/BEMA 05
No 14 of 28 July 2005 modified on 13 June 2007

0,80

0,60

0,93

0,71

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Type and country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-good boundary

Good-moderate
boundary

France (Pyrenees)

Classification française DCE Indice Biologique Global
Normalisé (IBGN). Norme AFNOR NF T 90 350
(1992) and circular MEDD/DE/MAGE/BEMA 05
No 14 of 28 July 2005 modified on 13 June 2007

Italy

Spain

STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index
(STAR_ICMi)

Iberian BMWP (IBMWP)

0,94

0,95

0,83

0,81

0,71

0,53

Biological Quality Element: Phytobenthos

Results: Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated

Type and country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good
boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

Type R-A1

Austria

France

Germany

Slovenia

Type R-A2

Austria

France

Spain

Multimetric method consisting of three modules/
metrics (Trophic Index, Saprobic Index, Reference
Species)

Classification française DCE Indice Biologique Dia-
tomées (IBD) norme AFNOR NF T 90-354 (2000)
and circular MEDD/DE/MAGE/BEMA 05 No 14 of
28 July 2005 modified on 13 June 2007

Deutsches Bewertungsverfahren für Makrophyten
und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB)

Multimetric method consisting of two modules/
metrics

Multimetric method consisting of three modules/
metrics (Trophic Index, Saprobic Index, Reference
Species)

Classification française DCE Indice Biologique Dia-
tomées (IBD) norme AFNOR NF T 90-354 (2000)
and circular MEDD/DE/MAGE/BEMA 05 No 14 of
28 July 2005 modified on 13 June 2007

Indice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS) (Lenoir &
Coste, 1996)

0,87

0,56

0,86

0,73

0,80

0,71

0,54

0,60

0,87

0,56

0,86

0,94

0,71

0,74

WATER CATEGORY: Rivers

GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: Central/Baltic

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

River characterisation

R-C1

Small lowland siliceous sand

R-C2

Small lowland siliceous —
rock

R-C3

Small mid-altitude siliceous

Catchment
(km2)

10-100

10-100

10-100

Altitude & geomorphology

lowland, dominated by sandy sub-
strate (small particle size), 3-8 m
width (bankfull size)

lowland, rock material 3-8m width
(bankfull size)

mid-altitude, rock (granite) —
gravel substrate, 2-10 m width
(bankfull size)

Alkalinity
(meq/l)

> 0,4

< 0,4

< 0,4

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Type

River characterisation

Catchment
(km2)

Altitude & geomorphology

R-C4

Medium lowland mixed

100-1 000

lowland, sandy to gravel substrate,
8-25m width (bankfull size)

R-C5

Large lowland mixed

R-C6

Small, lowland, calcareous

lowland, barbel zone, variation in
velocity, max. altitude in catch-
ment: 800m, > 25 m width
(bankfull size)

1 000-10 000

10-300

lowland, gravel substrate (lime-
stone), width 3-10 m (bankfull
size)

Alkalinity
(meq/l)

> 0,4

> 0,4

> 2

Countries sharing the types that have been intercalibrated:

Type R-C1: Belgium (Flanders), Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, United

Kingdom

Type R-C2: Spain, France, Ireland, Portugal, Sweden, United Kingdom

Type R-C3: Austria, Belgium (Wallonia), Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, France, Latvia,

Luxembourg, United Kingdom

Type R-C4: Belgium (Flanders), Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania,

Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom

Type R-C5: Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Spain, Ireland. Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands,

Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom

Type R-C6: Denmark, Estonia, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Sweden, United Kingdom

RESULTS

Biological Quality Element: Benthic invertebrate fauna

Results: Ecological quality ratios of the national classification system intercalibrated

The following results apply to all types as described above.

Country

National classification system intercalibrated

Austria

Austrian System for Ecological River Status Assess-
ment (Worst case between Multimetric Indices for
General Degradation and Saprobic Index

Belgium (Flanders)

Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index Flanders (MMIF)

Belgium (Wallonia)

Indice Biologique Global Normalisé (IBGN) (Norme
AFNOR NF T 90 350, 1992) and ‘Provisional
Definition of the Good Status’, Ministry of the
Walloon Region (2007)

Denmark

Germany

France

Ireland

Italy

Luxembourg

Danish Stream Fauna Index (DSFI)

PERLODES –Bewertungsverfahren von
Fließgewässern auf Basis des Makrozoobenthos

Classification française DCE Indice Biologique Global
Normalisé (IBGN). Norme AFNOR NF T 90 350
(1992) and circular MEDD/DE/MAGE/BEMA 05
no14 of 28 July 2005 modified on 13 June 2007

Quality Rating System (Q-value)

STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index
(STAR_ICMi)

Classification luxembourgeoise DCE, Indice Biologi-
que Global Normalisé (IBGN), Norme AFNOR NF T
90 350, 1992) and circular MEDD/DE/MAGE/BEMA
07 No 4 of 11 April 2007

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good
boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

0,80

0,90

0,97

1,00

0,80

0,94

0,85

0,96

0,60

0,70

0,74

0,71

0,60

0,80

0,75

0,72

0,96

0,72

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Country

National classification system intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good
boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

Netherlands

KRW-maatlat

Poland

Spain

Sweden

BMWP (BMWP-PL) verified by modified Margalef
diversity index

North Spain Multimetric Indices

DJ-index (Dahl & Johnson 2004)

United Kingdom

River Invertebrate Classification Tool (RICT)

0,80

0,89

0,93

0,80

0,97

0,60

0,68

0,70

0,60

0,86

Biological Quality Element: Phytobenthos

Results: Ecological quality ratios of the national classification system intercalibrated

Country

National classification system intercalibrated

Type

Austria

Multimetric method consisting of three
modules/metrics (Trophic Index, Saprobic
Index, Reference Species)

Belgium (Flanders)

Proportions of Impact-Sensitive and Impact-
Associated Diatoms (PISIAD)

Belgium (Wallonia)

Indice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)
AFNOR norm NF T 90-354 (2000) and
‘Provisional Definition of the Good Status’,
Ministry of the Walloon Region (2007)

All types,
altitude
< 500 m

All types,
altitude
> 500 m

All types

All types

Indice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)

All types

Estonia

France

Classification française DCE Indice Biologique
Diatomées (IBD) norme AFNOR NF T 90-354
(2000) and circular MEDD/DE/MAGE/BEMA
05 no14 of 28 July 2005 modified on 13 June
2007

Germany

Deutsches Bewertungsverfahren für Makro-
phyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB)

National
Types 1, 2
and 4

National
Type 3

R-C1

R-C3

R-C4

R-C5

Ireland

Revised form of Trophic Diatom Index (TDI)

All types

Luxembourg

Indice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)

All types

Netherlands

KRW Maatlat

Spain

Sweden

Diatom multimetric (MDIAT)

Swedish assessment methods, Swedish EPA
regulations (NFS 2008:1) based on Indice de
Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)

All types

All types

All types

United Kingdom

Diatom Assessment for River Ecological
Status (DARES)

All types

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good
boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

0,70

0,42

0,71

0,80

0,93

0,85

0,93

0,92

0,67

0,67

0,61

0,73

0,93

0,85

0,80

0,93

0,89

0,93

0,42

0,60

0,68

0,70

0,80

0,77

0,43

0,43

0,43

0,55

0,78

0,70

0,60

0,70

0,74

0,78

L 332/26

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WATER CATEGORY: Rivers

GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: Eastern Continental

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

River characterisation

Ecoregion

Catchment
(km2)

Altitude
(m)

Geology

Substrate

R-E1

R-E2

R-E4

Carpathians: small to
medium, mid-altitude

Plains: medium-sized,
lowland

Plains: medium-sized,
mid-altitude

10

10 — 1 000

500 — 800

11 and 12

11 and 12

100 —
1 000

100 —
1 000

< 200

siliceous

gravel and
boulder

mixed

sand and silt

200 — 500

mixed

sand and
gravel

Countries sharing the types that have been intercalibrated:

Type R-E1: Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia

Type R-E2: Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia

Type R-E4: Austria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Slovenia

RESULTS

Biological Quality Element: Benthic invertebrate fauna

Results: Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated

Type and country

National classification system intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good
boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

Type R-E1, R-E2, R-E4

Slovakia

Type R-E4

Austria

Slovak System for Ecological River Status Assessment

0,80

0,60

Austrian System for Ecological River Status Assess-
ment (Worst case between Multimetric Indices for
General Degradation and Saprobic Index)

0,80

0,60

WATER CATEGORY: Rivers

GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: Mediterranean

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

R-M1

R-M2

R-M4

River characterisation

Catchment (km2)

Altitude (m)

Geology

Flow regime

Small mid-altitude Mediter-
ranean streams

Small/Medium lowland
Mediterranean streams

Small/Medium Mediterranean
mountain streams

10-100

200-800

10-1 000

< 400

10-1 000

400-1 500

Mixed

Highly seasonal

Mixed

Highly seasonal

Non-silicious

Highly seasonal

R-M5

Small, lowland, temporary

10-100

< 300

Mixed

Temporary

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Countries sharing the types that have been intercalibrated:

Type R-M1: France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain

Type R-M2: France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain

Type R-M4: Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Spain

Type R-M5: Cyprus, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain

Biological Quality Element: Benthic invertebrate fauna

Results: Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated

RESULTS

Type and country

National classification system intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good
boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

R-M1

France

Greece

Italy

Classification française DCE Indice Biologique Global
Normalisé (IBGN). Norme AFNOR NF T 90 350
(1992) and circular MEDD/DE/MAGE/BEMA 05
no14 of 28 July 2005 modified on 13 June 2007

STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index
(STAR_ICMi)

STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index
(STAR_ICMi)

Portugal

North Invertebrate Portuguese Index, IPtIN

Spain

R-M2

Greece

Italy

Portugal

R-M4

Cyprus

Greece

Italy

Spain

R-M5

Italy

Portugal

Spain

IBMWP

STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index
(STAR_ICMi)

STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index
(STAR_ICMi)

North Invertebrate Portuguese Index, IPtIN

STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index
(STAR_ICMi)

STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index
(STAR_ICMi)

STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index
(STAR_ICMi)

IBMWP

STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index
(STAR_ICMi)

South Invertebrate Portuguese Index, IPtIS

IBMWP

0,94

0,95

0,97

0,92

0,78

0,94

0,94

0,87

0,97

0,96

0,94

0,83

0,97

0,98

0,91

0,81

0,71

0,72

0,69

0,48

0,71

0,70

0,66

0,73

0,72

0,70

0,51

0,73

0,72

0,55

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Biological Quality Element: Phytobenthos

Results: Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated

Type and country

National classification system intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

R-M1

France

Classification française DCE Indice Biologique
Diatomées (IBD) norme AFNOR NF T 90-354
(2000) and circular MEDD/DE/MAGE/BEMA
05 No 14 of 28 July 2005 modified on
13 June 2007

Portugal

Indice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)

Spain

R-M2

France

Indice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)

Classification française DCE Indice Biologique
Diatomées (IBD) norme AFNOR NF T 90-354
(2000) and circular MEDD/DE/MAGE/BEMA
05 no14 of 28 July 2005 modified on 13 June
2007

Portugal

Indice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)

Indice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)

Spain

R-M4

Spain

R-M5

Portugal

Spain

Type

R-N1

R-N3

R-N4

Indice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)

0,91

European Index (CEE)

Indice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)

0,85

0,95

WATER CATEGORY: Rivers

GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: Northern

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

River characterisation

Catchment area
(of stretch)

Altitude &
geomorphology

< 200 m or
below the
highest coast-
line

Between low-
land and high-
land

Small lowland siliceous mod-
erate alkalinity

10-100 km2

Small/medium lowland
organic

10-1 000 km2

Medium lowland siliceous
moderate alkalinity

100-
1 000 km2

R-N5

Small mid-altitude siliceous

10-100 km2

Countries sharing the types that have been intercalibrated:

Type R-N1: Finland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom

Type R-N3: Finland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom

Type R-N4: Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom

Type R-N5: Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom

0,93

0,84

0,90

0,93

0,84

0,93

0,80

0,62

0,67

0,80

0,62

0,70

0,68

0,64

0,71

Alkalinity
(meq/l)

0,2 — 1

< 0,2

0,2 — 1

< 0,2

Organic material
(mg Pt/l)

< 30
(< 150 in Ire-
land)

> 30

< 30

< 30

10.12.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 332/29

RESULTS

Biological Quality Element: Benthic invertebrate fauna

Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

The following results apply to all types as described above

Country

National classification system intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Finland

Ireland

Norway

Sweden

Multimetric system, first version established

Quality Rating System (Q-value)

Average Score per Taxon (ASPT)

DJ-index (Dahl & Johnson 2004)

United Kingdom

River Invertebrate Classification Tool (RICT)

0,80

0,85

0,99

0,80

0,97

0,60

0,75

0,87

0,60

0,86

Biological Quality Element: Phytobenthos

Results: Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated

The following results apply to all types as described above

Country

National classification system intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Finland

Ireland

Sweden

Indice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)

Revised form of Trophic Diatom Index (TDI)

Swedish assessment methods, Swedish EPA
regulations (NFS 2008:1) based on Indice de
Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)

United Kingdom

Diatom Assessment for River Ecological
Status (DARES)

0,91

0,93

0,89

0,93

0,80

0,78

0,74

0,78

WATER CATEGORY: Lakes

GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: Atlantic

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

Lake characterisation

Altitude
(m above sea level)

Mean depth
(m)

Alkalinity
(meq/l)

LA1/2

Lowland, shallow, calcareous,
small and large

< 200

3-15

> 1

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

Ireland and United Kingdom

L 332/30

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

10.12.2008

RESULTS

Biological Quality Element: Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton parameter indicative of biomass (Chlorophyll a)

Results: Ecological quality ratios and parameter values

The following results refer to growing season mean values and apply to all countries sharing the type

Ecological Quality Ratios

Chlorophyll a concentrations (μg/l)

Type

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

LA1/2

0,55

0,32

4,6 — 7,0

8,0 — 12,0

WATER CATEGORY: Lakes

GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: Alpine

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

Lake characterisation

L-AL3

L-AL4

Lowland or mid-altitude, deep,
moderate to high alkalinity
(alpine influence), large

Mid-altitude, shallow, moder-
ate to high alkalinity (alpine
influence), large

Altitude
(m above sea
level)

Mean depth
(m)

Alkalinity
(meq/l)

Lake size
(km2)

50 — 800

> 15

200 — 800

3 — 15

> 1

> 1

> 0,5

> 0,5

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

Types L-AL3 and L-AL4: Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Slovenia

RESULTS

Biological Quality Element: Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton: parameters indicative of biomass

Results: Ecological quality ratios and parameter values

The following results refer to annual mean values and apply to all countries sharing the type. Member States may choose to
use Chlorophyll a, total biovolume, or both parameters.

Chlorophyll a

Ecological Quality Ratios

Chlorophyll a concentrations (μg/l)

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

0,70

0,75

0,40

0,41

2,1 — 2,7

3,6 — 4,4

3,8 — 4,7

6,6 — 8,0

Total biovolume

Ecological Quality Ratios

Total biovolumes (mm3/l)

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

0,60

0,64

0,25

0,26

0,3 — 0,5

0,8 — 1,1

0,8 — 1,2

1,9 — 2,7

Type

L-AL3

L-AL4

Type

L-AL3

L-AL4

10.12.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 332/31

Phytoplankton: parameters indicative of taxonomic composition and abundance

Results: Ecological quality ratios of the national parameters intercalibrated

Country

National parameters
intercalibrated

Type

Ecological Quality Ratios

Class boundaries

High-Good
boundary

Good-
Moderate
boundary

High-Good
boundary

Good-
Moderate
boundary

Austria
Slovenia

Brettum index

L-AL3

0,94

0,83

Germany

PTSI (Phytoplankton
Taxa Lake Index)

L-AL4

L-AL3

L-AL4

Italy

PTIot (Phytoplankton
Taxa Index)

L-AL3 (mean depth
< 100m)

L-AL4

0,94

0,60

0,71

0,95

0,95

0,81

0,43

0,56

0,89

0,85

4,12—
4,34

3,69—
3,87

1,25

1,75

3,43

3,37

PTIspecies (Phytoplank-
ton Taxa Index)

L-AL 3 (mean depth
> 100m)

0,93

0,82

4,00

3,64—3,83

3,20—3,34

1,75

2,25

3,22

3,01

3,50

Biological Quality Element: Macrophytes

Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

Type and country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Austria
Type L-AL3 and L-AL4

Austrian macrophyte assessment system:
Austrian Index Macrophytes for Lakes (AIM
for Lakes), Module 1

Germany
Type L-AL3

Germany
Type L-AL4

German macrophyte/phytobenthos assess-
ment system: Module 1

German macrophyte/phytobenthos assess-
ment system: Modules 1 + 2

0,80

0,78

0,71

0,60

0,51

0,47

WATER CATEGORY: Lakes

GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: Central/Baltic

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

Lake characterisation

Altitude (m above
sea level)

Mean depth (m)

Alkalinity (meq/l)

L-CB1

Lowland, shallow, calcareous

< 200

3 — 15

L-CB2

L-CB3

Lowland, very shallow, calcar-
eous

Lowland, shallow, small, silic-
eous (moderate alkalinity)

< 200

< 3

< 200

3 — 15

0,2 — 1

1 — 10

Hydrological
residence time
(years)

1 — 10

0,1 — 1

> 1

> 1

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

Types L-CB1 and L-CB2: Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, France, Lithuania, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, United

Kingdom.

Type L-CB3:

Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Latvia, Poland.

L 332/32

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

10.12.2008

RESULTS

Biological Quality Element: Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton: parameter indicative of biomass

Results: Ecological quality ratios and parameter values

The following results refer to growing season mean values and apply to all countries sharing the type.

Type

L-CB1

L-CB2

L-CB3

Ecological Quality Ratios

Chlorophyll a concentrations (μg/l)

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

0,55

0,63

0,57

0,32

0,30

0,31

4,6 — 7,0

8,0 — 12,0

9,9 — 11,7

21,0 — 25,0

4,3 — 6,5

8,0 — 12,0

Biological Quality Element: Macrophytes

Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated

The following results apply to LCB1 and LCB2 types

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Belgium

Germany

Estonia

Latvia

Netherlands

Flemish macrophyte assessment system

German macrophyte assessment system:
Reference Index

Estonian macrophyte assessment system

Latvian macrophyte assessment system

Dutch macrophyte assessment system (KRW
Maatlat)

United Kingdom

UK macrophyte assessment system: LEAF-
PACS

0,80

0,75

0,80

0,80

0,80

0,80

0,60

0,50

0,60

0,60

0,60

0,60

WATER CATEGORY: Lakes

GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: Mediterranean

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

Lake characterisation

Altitude
(m)

Annual
mean
Precipitation
(mm) and T
( oC)

Mean depth
(m)

Alkalinity
(meq/l)

Lake size
(km2)

L-M5/7

Reservoirs, deep, large, siliceous,
‘wet areas’, catchment
< 20 000km2

0 — 800

> 800 or
< 15

L-M8

Reservoirs, deep, large, calcar-
eous, catchment < 20 000km2

0 — 800

—

> 15

> 15

< 1

> 1

> 0,5

> 0,5

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

Type L-M5/7: Greece, France, Portugal, Spain, Romania.

Type L-M8:

Cyprus, Greece, France, Italy, Spain, Romania.

10.12.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 332/33

RESULTS

Biological Quality Element: Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton: parameters indicative of biomass

Results: Ecological quality ratios and parameter values

The following results refer to summer mean values, euphotic depth and apply to all countries sharing the type. Member
States may choose to use Chlorophyll a, total biovolume, or both parameters.

Type

Type

L-M5/7

L-M8

L-M5/7

L-M8

Chlorophyll a

Ecological Quality Ratios

Chlorophyll a concentrations (μg/l)

Good-Moderate boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

0,21

0,43

Total biovolume

6,7 — 9,5

4,2 — 6,0

Ecological Quality Ratios

Total biovolumes (mm3/l)

Good-Moderate boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

0,19

0,36

1,9

2,1

Phytoplankton: parameters indicative of taxonomic composition and abundance

Results: Ecological quality ratios and parameter values

The following results refer to summer mean values, euphotic depth and apply to all countries sharing the type. Member
States must use at least one of the intercalibrated parameters (percentage of Cyanobacteria, Catalan index, Med PTI index)

Type and country

Type L-M5/7

All countries sharing the type

Type L-M8

All countries sharing the type

Percentage of Cyanobacteria

Ecological Quality Ratios

% of Cyanobacteria

Good-Moderate boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

0,91

0,72

9,2

28,5

Ecological quality ratios calculated as EQR = (100 - boundary value)/(100 - reference value)

Type and country

Type L-M5/7

All countries sharing the type

Type L-M8

All countries sharing the type

Catalan index

Ecological Quality Ratios

Catalan index

Good-Moderate boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

0,97

0,98

10,6

7,7

Ecological quality ratios calculated as EQR = (400 - boundary value)/(400 - reference value)

L 332/34

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

10.12.2008

Type and country

Type L-M5/7

All countries sharing the type

Type L-M8

All countries sharing the type

Med PTI index

Ecological Quality Ratios

Med PTI

Good-Moderate boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

0,75

0,77

2,32

2,38

WATER CATEGORY: Lakes

GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: Northern

Description of the types that have been intercalibrated

Type

Lake characterisation

Altitude
(m above sea
level)

Mean depth
(m)

Alkalinity
(meq/l)

Colour
(mg Pt/l)

LN1

LN2a

LN2b

LN3a

LN5

LN6a

LN8a

Lowland, shallow, moderate alkalinity,
clear

< 200

Lowland, shallow, low alkalinity, clear

< 200

Lowland, deep, low alkalinity, clear

< 200

3–15

3–15

> 15

0,2–1

< 0,2

< 0,2

< 30

< 30

< 30

Lowland, shallow, low alkalinity,
meso-humic

Mid-altitude, shallow, low alkalinity,
clear

Mid-altitude, shallow, low alkalinity
meso-humic

Lowland, shallow, moderate alkalinity,
meso-humic

< 200

3–15

< 0,2

30–90

200-800

3–15

< 0,2

< 30

200-800

3–15

< 0,2

30–90

< 200

3–15

0,2–1

30–90

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

Types LN1, LN2a, LN3a, LN8a:

Ireland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom.

Types LN2b, LN5 and LN6a:

Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom.

Biological Quality Element: Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton: parameter indicative of biomass

Results: Ecological quality ratios and parameter values

The following results refer to growing season mean values and apply to all countries sharing the type

Ecological Quality Ratios

Chlorophyll a concentrations (μg/l)

Type

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

LN1

LN2a

LN2b

LN3a

0,50

0,50

0,50

0,50

0,33

0,29

0,33

0,30

5,0 — 7,0

3,0 — 5,0

3,0 — 5,0

5,0 — 7,0

7,5 — 10,5

5,0 — 8,5

4,5 — 7,5

8,0 — 12,0

10.12.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 332/35

Type

LN5

LN6a

LN8a

Ecological Quality Ratios

Chlorophyll a concentrations (μg/l)

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

0,50

0,50

0,50

0,33

0,33

0,33

2,0 — 4,0

4,0 — 6,0

3,0 — 6,0

6,0 — 9,0

7,0 — 10,0

10,5 — 15,0

Biological Quality Element: Macrophytes

Description of the types that have been intercalibrated (for macrophytes intercalibration only)

Type

Lake characterisation

Alkalinity (meq/l)

Color(mg Pt/l)

101.

102.

201.

202.

301.

302.

Low alkalinity, clear

Low alkalinity, humic

Moderate alkalinity, clear

Moderate alkalinity, humic

High alkalinity, clear

High alkalinity, humic

0,05 — 0,2

0,05 — 0,2

0,2 — 1,0

0,2 — 1,0

> 1,0

> 1,0

< 30

> 30

< 30

> 30

< 30

> 30

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

Types 101, 102, 201 and 202: Ireland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom.

Type 301:

Type 302:

Ireland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom.

Ireland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom.

Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems methods

Country

National classification system
intercalibrated

Type

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good
boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

Ireland

Sweden

Free Macrophyte Index

All types intercalibrated

Macrophyte Trophic
index (Ecke)

Type 101

Type 102

Type 201

Type 202

Type 101

Type 102

Type 201

Type 202

Type 301

0,90

0,98

0,98

0,94

0,96

0,94

0,96

0,91

0,9

0,92

0,80

0,68

0,79

0,88

0,83

0,83

0,61

0,65

0,72

0,77

0,69

0,60

Norway

Macrophyte Trophic
Index (Mjelde)

United Kingdom

UK macrophyte assess-
ment system: LEAFPACS

All types intercalibrated

L 332/36

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

10.12.2008

WATER CATEGORY: Coastal and transitional

GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: Baltic Sea GIG

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

Salinity psu

Exposure

Depth

Ice days

Other Characteristics

0,5- 3

Sheltered

Shallow

> 150

Sites in Botnian Bay (Northern Quark)

Sheltered

Shallow

90 — 150

Sites in Bothnian Sea

CW B0

CW B2

CW B3 a

CW B3 b

CW B12 a
Eastern Baltic
Sea

CW B12 b
Western Bal-
tic Sea

3-6

3-6

3-6

5-8

Sheltered

Shallow

Exposed

Shallow

Sheltered

Shallow

8 — 22

Sheltered

Shallow

CW B13

6-22

Exposed

Shallow

CW B 14

TW B 13

6-22

6-22

Sheltered

Shallow

Exposed

Shallow

Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

Types CWB0, CWB2, CWB3a, CWB3b:

Finland, Sweden.

~90

~90

—

—

—

—

—

Sites in the area extending from the southern
Bothnian Sea to the Archipelago Sea and the
western Gulf of Finland

Sites in the Gulf of Riga,

Sites at the Southern Swedish coast and the
South western Baltic Sea open coast along
Denmark and Germany

Sites along the coast of the Estonia, Latvia
and Lithuania, the Polish coast and the
Danish island Bornholm

Lagoons

Transitional water. Sites along the coast of
Lithuania and Poland

Type CWB12a:

Type CWB12b:

Type CWB13:

Type CWB14:

Type TWB13:

Estonia

Germany, Denmark, Sweden.

Denmark, Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland.

Denmark, Poland

Lithuania, Poland.

RESULTS

Biological Quality Element: Benthic invertebrate fauna

Results: Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated

Type and country

National classification system intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

CW B0

Finland

Sweden

CW B2

Finland

Sweden

BBI- Finnish Brackish water Benthic Index

BQI–Swedish multimetric biological quality
index (soft sediment infauna)

BBI- Finnish Brackish water Benthic Index

BQI–Swedish multimetric biological quality
index (soft sediment infauna)

0,99

0,77

0,95

0,76

0,59

0,31

0,57

0,29

10.12.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 332/37

Type and country

National classification system intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

CW B3 a

Finland

Sweden

CW B3 b

Finland

Sweden

BBI- Finnish Brackish water Benthic Index

BQI–Swedish multimetric biological quality
index (soft sediment infauna)

BBI- Finnish Brackish water Benthic Index

BQI–Swedish multimetric biological quality
index (soft sediment infauna)

0,89

0,76

0,90

0,76

0,53

0,29

0,54

0,29

Biological Quality Element: Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton: parameter indicative of biomass (Chlorophyll a)

Results: Ecological quality ratios and parameter values

The following results refer to summer mean May/June — September

Type and country

CW B0

All countries sharing the type

CW B2

All countries sharing the type

CW B3 a

Sheltered
All countries sharing the type

CW B3 b

Exposed
All countries sharing the type

CW B 12 a

Eastern Baltic Sea
Salinity 5-8 psu
All countries sharing the type

CW B 12 b

Western Baltic Sea
Salinity8 -22 psu
All countries sharing the type

CW B 13

Denmark, Estonia and Latvia

Ecological Quality Ratios for the national
classification systems

Parameter values/ranges
Chlorophyll a μg/l

High-Good
boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

High/-Good
boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

0,76

0,78

0,56

1,7 (1,5 — 1,8)

2,3 (2,0 -2,7)

0,56

1,8

2,5 (2,3 -2,6)

0,71

0,49

2,4 (2,2 — 2,6)

3,5 (2,9 — 4,0)

0,81

0,68

1,5

1,8

0,82

0,66

2,2

2,7

0,92

0,92

0,63

1,3 (1,1 — 1,5)

0,75

1,3

1,9

1,6

L 332/38

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Official Journal of the European Union

10.12.2008

Type and country

CW B 14

Denmark

TW B 13

All countries sharing the type

Ecological Quality Ratios for the national
classification systems

Parameter values/ranges
Chlorophyll a μg/l

High-Good
boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

High/-Good
boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

0,82

0,90

0,56

0,66

1,1

4,2

1,6

5,8

Biological Quality Element: Angiosperms

Angiosperms: parameter indicative of abundance (Depth limit of Eelgrass Zostera marina)

Results: Ecological quality ratios and parameter values

Type and country

CW B 12 b
Denmark and Germany
Open coast

Ecological Quality Ratios for the national
classification systems

Parameter values/ranges
Depth limit (m) Eelgrass Zostera marina

High-Good
boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

High/-Good
boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

0,90

0,74

8,5 (8,0 — 9,4)

7 (6,6 — 7,1)

WATER CATEGORY: Coastal and transitional

GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: North East Atlantic

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

Characterisation

NEA1/26a

NEA1/26b

NEA1/26c

NEA1/26d

NEA1/26e

NEA3/4

Salinity (psu)
Tidal Range(m)
Depth(m)

> 30
Mesotidal 1 — 5
< 30

> 30
Mesotidal 1 — 5
< 30

> 30
Microtidal/Mesotidal
< 1 — 5
< 30

> 30
Microtidal < 1
< 30

> 30
Mesotidal 1 — 5
< 30

Current Velocity (knots)
Exposure

Mixing
Residence Time

Medium 1 — 3
Exposed or sheltered

Fully mixed
Days

Medium 1 — 3
Exposed or sheltered

Fully mixed
Days

Medium 1 — 3
Exposed or sheltered

Partly stratified
Days to weeks

Low < 1
Exposed or moder-
ately exposed

Partly stratified
Days to weeks

Medium 1 — 3
Exposed or sheltered

Fully mixed
Days

Open oceanic,
exposed or sheltered,
euhaline, shallow

Enclosed seas, exposed
or sheltered, euhaline,
shallow

Enclosed seas,
enclosed or sheltered,
partly stratified

Scandinavian coast,
exposed or sheltered,
shallow

Areas of upwelling,
exposed or sheltered,
euhaline, shallow

Polyhaline, exposed or
moderately exposed
(Wadden Sea type)

Polyhaline 18 — 30
Mesotidal 1 — 5
< 30

Medium 1 — 3
Exposed or moder-
ately exposed

Fully mixed
Days

10.12.2008

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Official Journal of the European Union

L 332/39

Type

Characterisation

NEA7

NEA8

NEA9

NEA10

Deep fjordic and sea
loch systems

Skagerrak Inner Arc
Type, polyhaline,
microtidal, sheltered,
shallow

Fjord with a shallow
sill at the mouth with
a very deep maximum
depth in the central
basin with poor deep-
water exchange

Skagerrak Outer Arc
Type, polyhaline,
microtidal, exposed,
deep

NEA11

Transitional Waters

Salinity (psu)
Tidal Range(m)
Depth(m)

> 30
Mesotidal 1 -5
> 30

Polyhaline 18 — 30
Microtidal < 1
< 30

Polyhaline 18 — 30
Microtidal < 1
> 30

Polyhaline 18 — 30
Microtidal < 1
> 30

Oligohaline 0 — 35
Micro to macrotidal
< 30

Current Velocity (knots)
Exposure

Mixing
Residence Time

Low < 1
Sheltered

Low < 1
Sheltered

Fully mixed
Days

Partly stratified
Days to weeks

Low < 1
Sheltered

Partly stratified
Weeks

Low < 1
Exposed

Partly stratified
Days

Variable
Sheltered or moder-
ately exposed

Partly or permanently
stratified
Days to weeks

Countries sharing the types that have been intercalibrated:

Type NEA1/26a:

Spain, France, Ireland, Norway, United Kingdom

Type NEA1/26b:

Belgium, France, Netherlands, United Kingdom

Type NEA1/26c:

Germany, Denmark

Type NEA1/26d: Denmark

Type NEA1/26e:

Portugal, Spain

Type NEA3/4:

Germany, Netherlands

Type NEA7:

Norway, United Kingdom

Type NEA8:

Denmark, Norway, Sweden

Type NEA9:

Norway, Sweden

Type NEA10:

Norway, Sweden

Type NEA11:

Belgium, Germany, Spain, France, Ireland, Netherlands, Portugal, United Kingdom

RESULTS

Biological Quality Element: Benthic invertebrate fauna

Results: Ecological quality ratios of the national classification systems intercalibrated

The results are applicable to soft sediment habitats only (subtidal mud/sand habitats).

Type and country

National classification system

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Types NEA1/26, NEA 3/4 and NEA7 (Indices responsive primarily to organic enrichment and toxic pollution pressures in soft sediment
habitats)

Denmark

France

Germany

Ireland

Norway

DKI

M-AMBI

M-AMBI

IQI

NQI

0,67

0,77

0,85

0,75

0,92

0,53

0,53

0,70

0,64

0,81

L 332/40

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Official Journal of the European Union

10.12.2008

Type and country

National classification system

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Portugal

Spain

United Kingdom

P-BAT

M-AMBI

IQI

0,79

0,77

0,75

Types NEA1/26 and NEA3/4 (Index responsive to multiple pressures in multiple habitats)

Belgium

Netherlands

Types NEA8/9/10

Denmark

Norway

Sweden

BEQI

BEQI

DKI

NQI

BQI

0,80

0,80

0,82

0,92

0,89

Biological Quality Element: Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton: parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a)

Results: Ecological quality ratios and parameter values

0,58

0,53

0,64

0,60

0,60

0,63

0,81

0,68

The following results apply to all countries sharing the types. Parameter values are expressed in μg/l as the 90 %ile value
calculated over the defined growing season in a six year period. The results relate to geographic areas within the types as
described in the technical report.

Type

NEA1/26a

NEA1/26b

NEA1/26c

NEA1/26d

NEA1/26e

NEA8

NEA9

NEA10

Ecological Quality Ratios

Values (μg/l, 90 %ile

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

0,67

0,67

0,67

0,67

0,67

0,67

0,67

0,67

0,33

0,44

0,44

0,50

0,44

0,33

0,33

0,33

1 — 5

6 — 10

5

3

2 — 10

9 — 15

7,5

4

6 — 8

9 — 12

1,5

2,5

3

3

5

6

Phytoplankton: parameter indicative of blooms

Results: Ecological quality ratios and parameter values

Type and country

National parameter
intercalibrated

NEA1/26a/b, NEA3/4

Ecological Quality Ratios

Values ( % single taxa counts above
thresholds)

High-Good
boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

High-Good
boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

Belgium
Germany
Netherlands
UK

Phaeocystis
Blooms

0,92

0,49

9

17

10.12.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 332/41

Type and country

National parameter
intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

Values ( % single taxa counts above
thresholds)

High-Good
boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

High-Good
boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

NEA1/26a/b

Spain
France
Ireland
UK

NEA1/26e

Portugal
Spain

Taxa cell counts

0,84

0,43

Taxa cell counts

0,83

0,51

20

30

39

49

Biological Quality Element: Macroalgae

Macroalgae: parameter indicative of composition

Results: Ecological quality ratios of national parameter intercalibrated

Type and country

National parameter intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

NEA1/26

Ireland

Norway

Rocky Shore Reduced Species List Multi-
metric System

Rocky Shore Reduced Species List Multi-
metric System

United Kingdom

Rocky Shore Reduced Species List Multi-
metric System

Spain

Portugal

Multimetric System CFR

Multimetric System p-MarMAT

Ireland
United Kingdom

Opportunistic Macroalgae Multimetric
System

NEA8/9/10

Norway
Sweden

Subtidal Algae (Depth Limit of macroalgal
Species)

0,80

0,80

0,80

0,81

0,82

0,80

0,81

Biological Quality Element: Angiosperms

Angiosperms: parameter indicative of taxonomic composition and abundance

Results: Ecological quality ratios of national parameter intercalibrated

0,60

0,60

0,60

0,57

0,64

0,60

0,61

Type and country

National parameter
intercalibrated

NEA1/26, NEA 3/4, NEA11

Ireland
Netherlands
UK

Intertidal Seagrass
Abundance (density)
and Species Composi-
tion Multimetric

Ecological Quality Ratios

Parameter values (*)

High-Good
boundary

Good-
Moderate
boundary

High-Good
boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

0,90

0,70

Not applic-
able

Not applicable

L 332/42

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Official Journal of the European Union

10.12.2008

Type and country

National parameter
intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

Parameter values (*)

High-Good
boundary

Good-
Moderate
boundary

High-Good
boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

NEA1/26, NEA3/4

Germany
Ireland
Netherlands
UK

Intertidal Seagrass (Area:
Acreage/bed extent)

0,90

0,70

10

30

(*)

Intertidal seagrass values expressed as percentage areal loss from reference area.

WATER CATEGORY: Coastal and transitional

GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: Mediterranean

Results apply to coastal waters only.

Typology has been developed for specific quality elements only (see below).

RESULTS

Biological Quality Element: Benthic invertebrate fauna

Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems

The following results apply to soft sediments only

Country

National classification systems
intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Cyprus

Greece

Slovenia

Spain

Bentix

Bentix

M-AMBI

MEDOCC index

0,75

0,75

0,83

0,73

0,58

0,58

0,62

0,47

Biological Quality Element: Phytoplankton

Description of types that have been intercalibrated (applicable for phytoplankton only)

Type

Description

Density (kg/m3)

Annual mean Salinity (psu)

Type I

Type IIA

Type IIIW

Type IIIE

Highly influenced by freshwater input

Moderately influenced by freshwater
input (continent influence)

Continental coast, not influenced by
freshwater input (Western Basin).

Not influenced by freshwater input
(Eastern Basin)

< 25

25-27

> 27

> 27

< 34,5

34,5-37,5

> 37,5

> 37,5

Countries sharing the types that have been intercalibrated

Type I:

France, Italy

Type IIA:

France, Spain, Italy, Slovenia

Type IIIW:

France, Spain, Italy

Type IIIE::

Greece, Cyprus

Phytoplankton: parameter indicative of biomass (Chlorophyll a)

10.12.2008

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 332/43

Results: Ecological quality ratios and parameter values

The following results apply to all countries sharing the types. Parameter values are expressed in μg/l of Chlorophyll a, for the
90th percentile calculated over the year in at least a five year period. The results relate to geographic areas within the types as
described in the technical report..

Type

Type IIA

Type IIIW

Type IIIE

Ecological Quality Ratios

Values (μg/l, 90 %ile)

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

0,80

0,80

0,80

0,53

0,50

0,20

2,4

1,1

0,1

3,6

1,8

0,4

Biological Quality Element: Macroalgae

Results: Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems

The following results apply to the upper infralittoral zone (3,5 — 0,2 m depth) in rocky coasts:

Country

National classification systems intercalibrated

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

Cyprus

France

Greece

Slovenia

Spain

EEI- Ecological Evaluation Index

CARLIT — Cartography of Littoral and
upper-sublittoral rocky-shore commu-
nities

EEI- Ecological Evaluation Index

EEI- Ecological Evaluation Index

CARLIT-BENTHOS

0,75

0,75

0,75

0,75

0,75

0,50

0,60

0,50

0,50

0,60

WATER CATEGORY: Coastal and transitional

GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP: Black Sea

Description of types that have been intercalibrated

Type

CW-BL1

Description

Mesohaline, microtidal (< 1 m), shallow (< 30 m), moderately exposed, mixed
substratum

Countries sharing the types that have been intercalibrated:

Bulgaria and Romania

RESULTS

Biological Quality Element: Phytoplankton

Phytoplankton: parameter indicative of biomass

Results: Ecological quality ratios and parameter values

Season

Winter

Spring

Ecological Quality Ratios

Biomass values (mg/m3)

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

0,93

0,93

0,78

0,78

1 770

3 515

3 420

5 690

L 332/44

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Official Journal of the European Union

10.12.2008

Season

Summer

Autumn

Ecological Quality Ratios

Biomass values (mg/m3)

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate
boundary

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

0,93

0,93

0,78

0,78

1 281

1 840

2 526

3 640

Biological Quality Element: Benthic invertebrates fauna

Results: Ecological quality ratios of national parameters intercalibrated

Member States must use at least one of the intercalibrated parameters (Shannon diversity index H’, AMBI, M-AMBI)

National parameters intercalibrated

Shannon diversity index H’

AMBI

M-AMBI

Ecological Quality Ratios

High-Good boundary

Good-Moderate boundary

0,89

0,83

0,85

0,69

0,53

0,55