Commission Decision (EU) 2018/229 of 12 February 2018 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 and repealing Commission Decision 2013/480/EU (notified under document C(2018) 696)Text with EEA relevance.
Date: 2018-02-12
Institutions: Directorate-General for Environment, European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, environmental monitoring, environmental standard, quality of the environment, surface water, water management, water protection, watercourse




L_2018047EN.01000101.xml










20.2.2018   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


L 47/1








            COMMISSION DECISION (EU) 2018/229
         
of 12 February 2018
         
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 and repealing Commission Decision 2013/480/EU
(notified under document C(2018) 696)
(Text with EEA relevance)


THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,


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 thereto,

Whereas:







(1)


Directive 2000/60/EC requires the Member States to protect enhance and restore all bodies of surface waters with the aim of achieving good ecological and chemical status. It furthermore requires Member States to protect and enhance all artificial and heavily modified bodies of water, with the aim of achieving good ecological potential and good chemical status.












(2)


In order to define one of the main environmental objectives of Directive 2000/60/EC, namely good ecological status, that Directive provides for a process to ensure the comparability between the biological monitoring results of Member States and their monitoring system classifications. Member States’ biological monitoring results and their monitoring system classifications are to be compared through an intercalibration network comprised of monitoring sites in each Member State and in each ecoregion of the Union. Directive 2000/60/EC requires the Member States to collect, as appropriate, the necessary information for the sites included in the intercalibration network, in order to enable the assessment of the consistency of the national monitoring system classifications with the normative definitions of Section 1.2 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC. In order to carry out the intercalibration exercise Member States are organised in Geographical Intercalibration Groups, consisting of Member States sharing particular surface water body types, as defined in Section 2 of the Annex to Commission Decision 2005/646/EC (2).












(3)


In accordance with Directive 2000/60/EC the intercalibration exercise is to be carried out at biological element level, comparing the classification results of the national monitoring system for each biological element and for each common surface water body type among Member States and ensuring the consistency of the results with the normative definitions set out in Section 1.2 of Annex V to that Directive.












(4)


The Commission has facilitated three phases of the intercalibration exercise through the Joint Research Centre. Under the Water Framework Directive Common Implementation Strategy four guidance documents (No 6 (3), 14 (two versions (4)) and 30 (5)) were prepared to facilitate the intercalibration process. They provide an overview of the key principles of the intercalibration process and the options for carrying out the exercise including timescales, and reporting requirements. They also provide a procedure to fit new or revised national classification methods to the harmonised definition of good ecological status.












(5)


By 2007 the Commission had received intercalibration results for a number of biological quality elements. They were included in Commission Decision 2008/915/EC (6), which sets out the values of the boundaries between classes that Member States were to use in their national monitoring system classifications. The results of the first phase of the intercalibration exercise were incomplete, in so far as not all biological quality elements were covered. It was necessary however to adopt the available results of the intercalibration exercise to inform the development of the first river basin programme of measures and the first river basin management plans in accordance with Articles 11 and 13 of Directive 2000/60/EC.












(6)


In order to close the gaps and improve the comparability of the intercalibration results in time for the second river basin management plans due in 2015, the Commission initiated a second phase of the intercalibration exercise. The results of this exercise were included in Commission Decision 2013/480/EU (7). The results revealed that in some cases intercalibration was only partially achieved. There were also Geographical Intercalibration Groups and biological quality elements for which there were no intercalibration results for inclusion in that Decision.












(7)


A third phase of the intercalibration exercise was therefore necessary in order to close these gaps and improve the comparability of the intercalibration results in time for the third river basin management plans due in 2021. The results of this third phase of the intercalibration exercise are included in the Annex to this Decision.












(8)


The Annex to this Decision sets out the results of the intercalibration exercise. For the results in Part 1 of the Annex all steps of the intercalibration process set out in the guidance documents have been fully completed. Part 2 of the Annex contains the national classification methods and their respective boundary values for which it has not been technically feasible to complete the comparability assessment due to a lack of common types, different pressures addressed or different assessment concepts. Since the results set out in Part 1 and Part 2 of the Annex are consistent with the normative definitions set out in Section 1.2 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC, the respective boundary values should be used in Member States monitoring systems classifications.












(9)


Where water bodies corresponding to the intercalibrated types are designated as artificial or heavily modified water bodies in accordance with Article 4(3) of Directive 2000/60/EC, Member States should be allowed to use the results presented in the Annex to this Decision to derive their good ecological potential, taking into account their physical modifications and their associated water use in accordance with the normative definitions in point 1.2.5 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC.












(10)


Member States should apply the results of the intercalibration exercise to their national classification systems in order to set the boundaries between high and good status and between good and moderate status for all their national types.












(11)


The information that is made available through the establishment of the monitoring programmes provided for in Article 8 of Directive 2000/60/EC and the review and update of the characteristics of river basin districts provided for in Article 5 of that Directive could bring new evidence that may lead to the adaptation to scientific and technical progress of the Member States’ monitoring and classification systems. Member States may also develop new national classification methods covering biological quality elements or sub biological quality elements and respective boundary values for which the consistency with the normative definitions set out in Section 1.2 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC should be assessed. These matters may lead to a review of the results of the intercalibration exercise to close gaps and improve the quality and comparability of the intercalibration results which in turn may warrant an update of the results contained in the Annex to this Decision.












(12)


Decision 2013/480/EU should therefore be repealed and replaced accordingly.












(13)


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


1.   For the purposes 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 Part 1 of the Annex to this Decision.


2.   Where a comparability assessment for a biological quality element has not been completed within a Geographical Intercalibration Group, Member States shall, for the purpose of Section 1.4.1(iii) of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC, use in their monitoring systems classification the methods and the values of the boundaries between classes that are set out in Part 2 of the Annex to this Decision.


3.   Member States may use the methods and the values of the boundaries between classes set out in the Annex to this Decision to establish the good ecological potential of water bodies designated as artificial or heavily modified water bodies in accordance with Article 4(3) of Directive 2000/60/EC.




Article 2

Decision 2013/480/EU is repealed.



Article 3

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.




Done at Brussels, 12 February 2018.


For the Commission

Karmenu VELLA
            

Member of the Commission






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

(2)  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 European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 243, 19.9.2005, p. 1).

(3)  Common implementation strategy for the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), Guidance Document No 6, Towards a Guidance on Establishment of the Intercalibration Network and the Process on the Intercalibration Exercise, European Communities, 2003. ISBN 92-894-5126-2.

(4)  Common implementation strategy for the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), Guidance document No 14. Guidance document on the Intercalibration Process 2004-2006, ISBN 92-894-9471-9;
Common implementation strategy for the Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC), Guidance document No 14. Guidance document on the Intercalibration Process 2008-2011, ISBN: 978-92-79-18997-5.

(5)  Procedure to fit new or updated classification methods to the results of a completed intercalibration exercise, Guidance document No 30. Technical Report 2015-085, ISBN: 978-92-79-38434-9.

(6)  Commission Decision 2008/915/EC 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 (OJ L 332, 10.12.2008, p. 20).

(7)  Commission Decision 2013/480/EU of 20 September 2013 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 and repealing Decision 2008/915/EC (OJ L 266, 8.10.2013, p. 1).




ANNEX
Part 1 of this annex includes the results of the intercalibration exercise for which all steps of the intercalibration process have been fully completed, including their respective boundary values.
Part 2 includes national methods and their boundary values which are consistent with the normative definition set out in Section 1.2 of Annex V to Directive 2000/60/EC but where it has not been technically feasible to complete the comparability assessment within a Geographical Intercalibration Group due to lack of common types, different pressures addressed or different assessment concepts.
-- PART 1 --







Water category




Rivers






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Alpine rivers






Description of types that have been intercalibrated












Type




River characterisation




Catchment (km2)




Altitude (m a.s.l.) and geomorphology




Alkalinity




Flow regime





R-A1


Pre-Alpine, small to medium, high altitude calcareous


10 — 1 000 


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


High (but not extremely high) alkalinity


 




R-A2


Small to medium, high altitude, siliceous


10 — 1 000 


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


Non-calcareous (granite, metamorphic) medium to low alkalinity


Nival-glacial flow regime





Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:








Type R-A1:



Germany, Austria, France, Italy, Slovenia





Type R-A2:



Austria, France, Italy, Spain











ALPINE RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Benthic invertebrate fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated














Country and Type




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary






Type R-A1



 


 


 




Austria


Assessment of the biological quality elements — part benthic invertebrates [Erhebung der biologischen Qualitätselemente — Teil Makrozoobenthos (Detaillierte MZB-Methode)]


0,80 


0,60 




France


Classification française DCE Indice Biologique Global Normalisé (IBGN). AFNOR NF-T-90-350 and arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface


0,93 


0,79 




Germany


PERLODES — Bewertungsverfahren von Fließgewässern auf Basis des Makrozoobenthos


0,80 


0,60 




Italy


MacrOper, based on STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index (STAR_ICMi)


0,97 


0,73 




Slovenia


Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev


0,80 


0,60 





Type R-A2



 


 


 




Austria


Assessment of the biological quality elements — part benthic invertebrates [Erhebung der biologischen Qualitätselemente — Teil Makrozoobenthos (Detaillierte MZB-Methode)]


0,80 


0,60 




France (Alps)


Classification française DCE Indice Biologique Global Normalisé (IBGN). AFNOR NF-T-90-350 and arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface


0,93 


0,71 




France (Pyrenees)


Classification française DCE Indice Biologique Global Normalisé (IBGN). AFNOR NF-T-90-350 and arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface


0,94 


0,81 




Italy


MacrOper, based on STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index (STAR_ICMi)


0,95 


0,71 




Spain


Iberian BMWP (IBMWP)


0,83 


0,53 











ALPINE RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes and Phytobenthos






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Phytobenthos














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated














Type and country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary






Type R-A1



 


 


 




Austria


Assessment of the biological quality elements — part phytobenthos [Leitfaden zur Erhebung der biologischen Qualitätselemente, Teil A3 — Fließgewässer/Phytobenthos]


0,88 


0,56 




France


IBD 2007 (Coste et al, Ecol. Ind. 2009). AFNOR NF-T-90-354, December 2007. Arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface


0,94 


0,78 




Germany


Verfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Fließgewässern zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul Diatomeen


0,735 


0,54 




Italy


Intercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi) (Mancini & Sollazzo, 2009)


0,87 


0,7 




Slovenia


Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, fitobentos


0,80 


0,60 





Type R-A2



 


 


 




Austria


Assessment of the biological quality elements — part phytobenthos [Leitfaden zur Erhebung der biologischen Qualitätselemente, Teil A3 — Fließgewässer/Phytobenthos]


0,88 


0,56 




France


IBD 2007 (Coste et al, Ecol. Ind. 2009). AFNOR NF-T-90-354, December 2007. Arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface


0,94 


0,78 




Spain


IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)


0,94 


0,74 




Italy


Intercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi) (Mancini & Sollazzo, 2009)


0,85 


0,64 











Water category




Rivers






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Central-Baltic rivers






Description of types that have been intercalibrated











Type




River characterisation




Catchment (km2)




Altitude and geomorphology




Alkalinity (meq/l)





R-C1


Small lowland siliceous sand


10 — 100


Lowland, dominated by sandy substrate (small particle size), 3 — 8 m width (bankfull size)


> 0,4 




R-C2


Small lowland siliceous — rock


10 — 100


Lowland, rock material
3 — 8m width (bankfull size)


< 0,4 




R-C3


Small mid-altitude siliceous


10 — 100


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


< 0,4 




R-C4


Medium lowland mixed


100 — 1 000 


Lowland, sandy to gravel substrate, 8 — 25 m width (bankfull size)


> 0,4 




R-C5


Large lowland mixed


1 000  — 10 000 


Lowland, barbel zone, variation in velocity, max. altitude in catchment: 800 m a.s.l., > 25 m width (bankfull size)


> 0,4 




R-C6


Small, lowland, calcareous


10 — 300


Lowland, gravel substrate (limestone), width 3 — 10 m (bankfull size)


> 2





Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:








Type R-C1:



Belgium (Flanders), Belgium (Wallonia), Germany, Denmark, France, Italy, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom





Type R-C2:



Spain, France, Ireland, Sweden, United Kingdom





Type R-C3:



Austria, Belgium (Wallonia), Czech Republic, Germany, Poland, Spain, Sweden, France, Luxembourg, United Kingdom





Type R-C4:



Belgium (Flanders), Belgium (Wallonia), Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom





Type R-C5:



Belgium (Wallonia), Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Spain, Ireland. Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, United Kingdom





Type R-C6:



Belgium (Wallonia), Denmark, Estonia, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Sweden, United Kingdom











CENTRAL-BALTIC RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Benthic invertebrate fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary





Austria


Assessment of the biological quality elements — part benthic invertebrates


0,80 


0,60 




Belgium (Flanders)


Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index Flanders (MMIF)


0,90 


0,70 




Belgium (Wallonia)


Indice Biologique Global Normalisé (IBGN) (Norme AFNOR NF T 90 350, 1992) and Arrêté du Gouvernement wallon du 13 septembre 2012 relatif à l’identification, à la caractérisation et à la fixation des seuils d’état écologique applicables aux masses d’eau de surface et modifiant le Livre II du Code de l’Environnement, contenant le Code de l’Eau. Moniteur belge 12.10.2012


0,94 
(type R-C1)
0,97 
(types R-C3, R-C5, R-C6)


0,75 
(type R-C1)
0,74 
(types R-C3, R-C5, R-C6)




Czech Republic


Czech system for ecological status assessment of rivers using benthic macroinvertebrates


0,80 


0,60 




Denmark


Danish Stream Fauna Index (DSFI)


1,00 


0,71 




Estonia


Estonian surface water ecological quality assessment — river macroinvertebrates


0,90 


0,70 




Germany


PERLODES — Bewertungsverfahren von Fließgewässern auf Basis des Makrozoobenthos


0,80 


0,60 




France


Classification française DCE Indice Biologique Global Normalisé (IBGN). AFNOR NF T90-350 et arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface


0,94 


0,80 




Ireland


Quality Rating System (Q-value)


0,85 


0,75 




Italy


MacrOper, based on STAR_ICM index calculation


0,96 


0,72 




Latvia


Latvian Macroinvertebrate Index (LMI)


0,92 


0,72 




Lithuania


Lithuanian River Macroinvertebrate Index (LRMI)


0,80 


0,60 




Luxembourg


Classification luxembourgeoise DCE Indice Biologique Global Normalisé (IBGN). AFNOR NF-T-90-350, AFNOR XP T 90-333 and XP T 90-388


0,96 


0,72 




Netherlands


KRW-maatlat


0,80 


0,60 




Poland


RIVECOmacro — MMI_PL


0,91 (type R-C1)


0,72  (type R-C1)




Spain


METI


0,93 


0,70 




Sweden


DJ-index (Dahl & Johnson 2004)


0,80 


0,60 




United Kingdom


River Invertebrate Classification Tool (RICT)- WHPT


0,97 


0,86 











CENTRAL-BALTIC RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes and Phytobenthos






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated















Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Type




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary





Austria


AIM for Rivers (Austrian Index Macrophytes for rivers)


RC-3


0,875 


0,625 




Belgium (Flanders)


MAFWAT — Flemish macrophyte assessment system


R-C1


0,80 


0,60 




Belgium (Wallonia)


IBMR-WL — Biological Macrophyte Index for Rivers (Arrêté du Gouvernement wallon du 13 septembre 2012 relatif à l’identification, à la caractérisation et à la fixation des seuils d’état écologique applicables aux masses d’eau de surface et modifiant le Livre II du Code de l’Environnement, contenant le Code de l’Eau. Moniteur belge 12.10.2012)


R-C3


0,925 


0,607 




Czech Republic


Assessment method of surface running water bodies in the Czech Republic using biological quality element macrophytes


R-C3 (national type 1)


0,83 


0,67 




R-C3 (national type 4)


0,82 


0,64 




R-C4


0,86 


0,62 




Denmark


DSPI — Danish Stream Plant Index


R-C1, R-C4


0,70 


0,50 




Germany


Verfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Fließgewässern zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul Makrophyten


R-C1


0,745 


0,495 




R-C3


0,80 


0,55 




R-C4


0,575 


0,395 




Germany


NRW-Verfahren zur Bewertung von Fließgewässern mit Makrophyten


R-C1, R-C3, R-C4


0,995 


0,695 




France


IBMR — Indice Biologique Macrophytique en Rivière French standard NF T90-395 (2003-10-01)


R-C3


0,93 


0,79 




R-C4


0,905 


0,79 




Ireland


MTR — IE — Mean Trophic Ranking


R-C4


0,74 


0,62 




Italy


IBMR — IT — Biological Macrophyte Index for Rivers


R-C1


0,90 


0,80 




R-C4


0,90 


0,80 




Lithuania


Lithuanian River Macrophyte Index


R-C4


0,61 


0,41 




Latvia


Latvian assessment method using macrophytes


R-C4


0,75 


0,55 




Luxembourg


IBMR — LU — Biological Macrophyte Index for Rivers


R-C3, R-C4, R-C5 and R-C6


0,89 


0,79 




Netherlands


Revised assessment method for rivers in The Netherlands using macrophytes


R-C1 and R-C


0,80 


0,60 




Poland


MIR — Macrophyte Index for Rivers


R-C1


0,90 


0,65 




R-C3


0,910 


0,684 




R-C4


0,90 


0,65 




United Kingdom


River LEAFPACS 2


R-C1, R-C3 and R-C4 (*1)



0,80 


0,60 











CENTRAL-BALTIC RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes and Phytobenthos






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Phytobenthos














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated















Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Type




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary





Austria


Assessment of the biological quality elements — part Phytobenthos [Leitfaden zur Erhebung der biologischen Qualitätselemente, Teil A3 -Fließgewässer/Phytobenthos]


All types, altitude < 500 m


0,70 


0,42 




All types, altitude > 500 m


0,71 


0,43 




Belgium (Flanders)


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


All types


0,80 


0,60 




Belgium (Wallonia)


IPS (Coste, in CEMAGREF, 1982; Lenoir & Coste, 1996 and Arrêté du Gouvernement wallon du 13 septembre 2012 relatif à l’identification, à la caractérisation et à la fixation des seuils d’état écologique applicables aux masses d’eau de surface et modifiant le Livre II du Code de l’Environnement, contenant le Code de l’Eau. Moniteur belge 12.10.2012)


All types


0,98 


0,73 




Czech Republic


Czech assessment method for rivers using phytobenthos


R-C3, R-C4, R-C5


0,80 


0,63 




Estonia


Indice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)


All types


0,85 


0,70 




France


IBD 2007 (Coste et al, Ecol. Ind. 2009). AFNOR NF-T-90-354, December 2007. Arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface


All types


0,94 


0,78 




Germany


Verfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Fließgewässern zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul Diatomeen


R-C1


0,67 


0,43 




R-C3


0,67 


0,43 




R-C4


0,61 


0,43 




R-C5


0,73 


0,55 




Ireland


Revised form of Trophic Diatom Index (TDI)


All types


0,93 


0,78 




Italy


Intercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi) (Mancini & Sollazzo, 2009)


All types


0,89 


0,70 




Ireland


Revised form of Trophic Diatom Index (TDI)


All types


0,93 


0,78 




Lithuania


Lithuanian Phytobenthos Index


R-C1, R-C4, R-C5, R-C6


0,73 


0,55 




Luxembourg


Indice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)


R-C3, R-C4 (low alkalinity)


0,98 


0,78 




R-C4 (high alkalinity), R-C5 and R-C6


0,99 


0,78 




Netherlands


KRW Maatlat


All types


0,80 


0,60 




Poland


Indeks Okrzemkowy IO dla rzek (Diatom Index for rivers)


All types


0,80 


0,58 




Spain


Diatom multimetric (MDIAT)


R-C2, R-C3, R-C4


0,93 


0,70 




Sweden


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


All types


0,89 


0,74 




United Kingdom


Diatom Assessment for River Ecological Status (DARLEQ2)


All types


1,00 


0,75 











Water category




Rivers






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Eastern Continental rivers






Description of types that have been intercalibrated













Type




River characterisation




Ecoregion




Catchment (km2)




Altitude (m a.s.l.)




Geology




Substrate





R-E1a


Carpathians: small to medium, mid-altitude


10


10 — 1 000 


500 — 800


Mixed


 




R-E1b


Carpathians: small to medium, mid-altitude


10


10 — 1 000 


200 — 500


Mixed


 




R-E2


Plains: medium-sized, lowland


11 and 12


100 — 1 000 


< 200


Mixed


Sand and silt




R-E3


Plains: large, lowland


11 and 12


> 1 000 


< 200


Mixed


Sand, silt and gravel




R-E4


Plains: medium-sized, mid-altitude


11 and 12


100 — 1 000 


200 — 500


Mixed


Sand and gravel




R-EX4


Large, mid-altitude


10, 11 and 12


> 1 000 


200 — 500


Mixed


Gravel and boulder




R-EX5


Plains: small lowland


11 and 12


10 — 100


< 200


Mixed


Sand and silt




R-EX6


Plains: small, mid-altitude


11 and 12


10 — 100


200 — 500


Mixed


Gravel




R-EX7


Balkan: small, calcareous, mid-altitude


5


10 — 100


200 — 500


Calcareous


Gravel




R-EX8


Balkan: small to medium-sized, calcareous karst spring


5


10 — 1 000 


 


Calcareous


Gravel, sand and silt





Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:








R-E1a:



Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia





R-E1b:



Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia





R-E2:



Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia





R-E3:



Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia





R-E4:



Austria, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia





R-EX4:



Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia





R-EX5:



Hungary, Romania, Slovenia, Slovakia





R-EX6:



Hungary, Romania, Slovenia





R-EX7:



Slovenia





R-EX8:



Slovenia











EASTERN CONTINENTAL RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Benthic invertebrate fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated















Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Type




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary





Austria


Assessment of the biological quality elements — part benthic invertebrates


R-E4


0,80 


0,60 




Bulgaria


IBI (BG) (Irish Biotic Index (BG))


R-E1a, R-E1b


0,86 


0,67 




R-E2, R-E3


0,80 


0,60 




Czech Republic


Czech system for ecological status assessment of rivers using benthic macroinvertebrates


R-E1a, R-E1b, R-E2, R-E3


0,80 


0,60 




Hungary


Hungarian Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index


R-E1b, R-E3, R-E4, R-EX5, R-EX6


0,80 


0,60 




Romania


Assessment method for ecological status of water bodies based on macroinvertebrates


R-E1a, R-E1b, R-E3, R-EX4


0,74 


0,58 




Slovenia


Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev


R-E4, R-EX5, R-EX6


0,80 


0,60 




Slovakia


Slovak assessment of benthic invertebrates in rivers


R-E1a, R-E1b, R-E2, R-E3, R-E4, R-EX4


0,80 


0,60 











EASTERN CONTINENTAL RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes and Phytobenthos






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated















Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Type




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary





Austria


AIM for Rivers (Austrian Index Macrophytes for rivers)


R-E4


0,875 


0,625 




Bulgaria


Reference Index


R-E2, R-E3


0,570 


0,370 




R-E4


0,510 


0,270 




Czech Republic


Assessment method of surface running water bodies in the Czech Republic using biological quality element macrophytes


R-E2, R-E3


0,750 


0,500 




Czech Republic


Assessment method of surface running water bodies in the Czech Republic using biological quality element macrophytes


R-E4


0,770 


0,560 




Hungary


Reference Index


R-E2, R-E3


0,700 


0,370 




Romania


Romanian Macrophyte-based assessment system for rivers (Macrophyte River Index (MARI))


R-E2, R-E3, R-E4


R-E2 and R-E3: 0,875 , R-E4: 0,783 


all types: 0,625 




Slovenia


Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, makrofiti


R-E2, R-E3, R-E4


0,800 


0,600 




Slovakia


Macrophyte Biological Index for Rivers (IBMR-SK)


R-E2, R-E3, R-E4


0,800 


0,600 











EASTERN CONTINENTAL RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes and Phytobenthos






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Phytobenthos














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated















Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Type




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary





Austria


Assessment of the biological quality elements — part phytobenthos


R-E4


0,70 


0,42 




Bulgaria


Ecological status assessment of rivers in Bulgaria based on IPS diatom index


R-E1a, R-E1b, R-E3


0,87  (national type R2, R4)
0,85  (national type R7, R8)


0,66  (national type R2, R4)
0,64  (national type R7, R8)




Czech Republic


Assessment system for rivers using phytobenthos


R-E1a, R-E1b, R-E2, R-E3, R-EX4


0,80 


0,60 




Hungary


Ecological status assessment for rivers based on diatoms


R-E2, R-E3, R-EX5


0,80 


0,60 




Romania


National (Romanian) Assessment Method for Rivers Ecological Status based on Phytobenthos (Diatoms) RO-AMRP


R-E1a, R-E1b, R-E3


0,80 


0,60 




Slovenia


Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, fitobentos


R-E4, R-EX5, R-EX6, R-EX7, R-EX8


0,80 


0,60 




Slovakia


Ecological status assessment system for rivers using phytobenthos


R-E1a, R-E1b, R-E2, R-E3, R-E4, R-EX4


0,90 


0,70 











Water category




Rivers






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Mediterranean rivers






Description of types that have been intercalibrated











Type




River characterisation




Catchment (km2)




Geology




Flow regime





R-M1


Small Mediterranean streams


< 100


Mixed (except silicious)


Highly seasonal




R-M2


Medium Mediterranean streams


100 — 1 000 


Mixed (except silicious)


Highly seasonal




R-M4


Mediterranean mountain streams


 


Non-silicious


Highly seasonal




R-M5


Temporary streams


 


 


Temporary





Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:








R-M1:



Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain





R-M2:



Bulgaria, France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain





R-M4:



Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Spain





R-M5:



Cyprus, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain











MEDITERRANEAN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Benthic invertebrate fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated














Type and Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary






R-M1



 


 


 




France


Classification française DCE Indice Biologique Global Normalisé (IBGN). AFNOR NF T90-350 et arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface


0,940 


0,700 




Greece


Hellenic Evaluation System-2 (HESY-2)


0,943 


0,750 




Italy


MacrOper (based on STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index ICMi)


0,970 


0,720 




Portugal


Rivers Biological Quality Assessment Method-Benthic Invertebrates (IPtIN, IPtIS)


0,870  (type 1)


0,678  (type 1)




0,850  (type 3)


0,686  (type 3)




Slovenia


Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev


0,800 


0,600 




Spain


Iberian Biological Monitoring Working Party (IBMWP)


0,845 


0,698 




Spain


Iberian Mediterranean Multimetric Index—using quantitative data (IMMi-T)


0,811 


0,707 





R-M2



 


 


 




Bulgaria


IBI (BG) (Irish Biotic Index (BG))


0,800 


0,600 




France


Classification française DCE Indice Biologique Global Normalisé (IBGN). AFNOR NF T90-350 et arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface


0,940 


0,700 




Greece


Hellenic Evaluation System-2 (HESY-2)


0,944 


0,708 




Italy


MacrOper (based on STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index ICMi)


0,940 


0,700 




Portugal


Rivers Biological Quality Assessment Method-Benthic Invertebrates (IPtIN, IPtIS)


0,830  (type 2)


0,693  (type 2)




0,880  (type 4)


0,676  (type 4)




Slovenia


Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev


0,800 


0,600 




Spain


Iberian Biological Monitoring Working Party (IBMWP)


0,845 


0,698 




Spain


Iberian Mediterranean Multimetric Index—using quantitative data (IMMi-T)


0,811 


0,707 





R-M4



 


 


 




Cyprus


STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index (STAR_ICMi)


0,972 


0,729 




France


Classification française DCE Indice Biologique Global Normalisé (IBGN). AFNOR NF T90-350 et arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface


0,940 


0,700 




Greece


Hellenic Evaluation System-2 (HESY-2)


0,850 


0,637 




Italy


MacrOper (based on STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index ICMi)


0,940 


0,700 




Spain


Iberian Biological Monitoring Working Party (IBMWP)


0,840 


0,700 




Spain


Iberian Mediterranean Multimetric Index—using quantitative data (IMMi-T)


0,850 


0,694 





R-M5



 


 


 




Cyprus


STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index (STAR_ICMi)


0,982 


0,737 




Greece


Hellenic Evaluation System-2 (HESY-2)


0,963 


0,673 




Italy


MacrOper (based on STAR Intercalibration Common Metric Index ICMi)


0,970 


0,730 




Portugal


Rivers Biological Quality Assessment Method-Benthic Invertebrates (IPtIN, IPtIS)


0,973  (type 5)


0,705  (type 5)




0,961  (type 6)


0,708  (type 6)




Slovenia


Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev


0,800 


0,600 




Spain


Iberian Biological Monitoring Working Party (IBMWP)


0,830 


0,630 




Spain


Iberian Mediterranean Multimetric Index—using quantitative data (IMMi-T)


0,830 


0,620 











MEDITERRANEAN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes and Phytobenthos






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated














Type and Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary






R-M1, M2, M4



 


 


 




Bulgaria (R-M1 and R-M2)


RI (BG) (Reference Index (BG))


0,640 


0,350 




Cyprus


IBMR — Biological Macrophyte Index for Rivers


0,795 


0,596 




France


IBMR — Indice Biologique Macrophytique en Rivière French standard NF T90-395 (2003-10-01)


0,930 


0,745 




Greece


IBMR — Biological Macrophyte Index for Rivers


0,750 


0,560 




Italy


IBMR — Biological Macrophyte Index for Rivers


0,900 


0,800 




Portugal


IBMR — Biological Macrophyte Index for Rivers


0,920 


0,690 




Slovenia


Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, makrofiti


0,800 


0,600 




Spain


IBMR — Biological Macrophyte Index for Rivers


0,950 


0,740 











MEDITERRANEAN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes and Phytobenthos






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Phytobenthos














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated














Type and Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary






R-M1



 


 


 




Bulgaria


IPS (Indice de polluo-sensibilité)


0,820 


0,630 




France


IBD 2007 (Coste et al, Ecol. Ind. 2009). AFNOR NF-T-90-354, December 2007. Arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface


0,940 


0,780 




Greece


IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982) Intercalibrated (EQR IPS)


0,956 


0,717 




Italy


Intercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi) (Mancini & Sollazzo, 2009)


0,800 


0,610 




Portugal


IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)


0,970  (type 1)


0,730  (type 1)




0,910  (type 3)


0,680  (type 3)




Slovenia


Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, fitobentos


0,800 


0,600 




Spain


IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)


0,937 


0,727 





R-M2



 


 


 




Bulgaria


IPDS (Indice de polluo-sensibilité)


0,820 


0,630 




France


IBD 2007 (Coste et al, Ecol. Ind. 2009). AFNOR NF-T-90-354, December 2007. Arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface


0,940 


0,780 




Greece


IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982) Intercalibrated (EQR IPS)


0,953 


0,732 




Italy


Intercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi)
(Mancini & Sollazzo, 2009)


0,800 


0,610 




Portugal


IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982))


0,910  (type 2)


0,680  (type 2)




0,970  (type 4)


0,730  (type 4)




Slovenia


Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, fitobentos


0,800 


0,600 




Spain


IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)


0,938 


0,727 





R-M4



 


 


 




Cyprus


IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)


0,910 


0,683 




France


IBD 2007 (Coste et al, Ecol. Ind. 2009). AFNOR NF-T-90-354, December 2007. Arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface


0,940 


0,780 




Greece


IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982) Intercalibrated (EQR IPS)


0,932 


0,716 




Italy


Intercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi)
(Mancini & Sollazzo, 2009)


0,800 


0,610 




Spain


IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)


0,935 


0,727 





R-M5



 


 


 




Cyprus


IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)


0,958 


0,718 




Italy


Intercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi)
(Mancini & Sollazzo, 2009)


0,880 


0,650 




Portugal


IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)


0,800  (Type 5)


0,651  (Type 5)




0,940  (Type 6)


0,700  (Type 6)




Slovenia


Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, fitobentos


0,800 


0,600 




Spain


IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)


0,935 


0,700 











Water category




Rivers






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Northern rivers






Description of types that have been intercalibrated












Type




River characterisation




Catchment area


of stretch (km2)




Altitude and geomorphology




Alkalinity


(meq/l)




Organic material


(mg Pt/l)





R-N1


Small lowland siliceous moderate alkalinity


10 — 100


< 200 m a.s.l. or below the highest coastline


0,2  — 1


< 30
(< 150 in Ireland)




R-N3


Small/medium lowland organic low alkalinity


10 — 1 000 


< 0,2 


> 30




R-N4


Medium lowland siliceous moderate alkalinity


100 — 1 000 


0,2  — 1


< 30




R-N5


Small mid-altitude siliceous low alkalinity


10 — 100


Between lowland and highland


< 0,2 


< 30




R-N9


Small/medium mid-altitude siliceous low alkalinity organic (humic)


10 — 1 000 


Between lowland and highland


< 0,2 


> 30





Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:








R-N1:



Finland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom





R-N3:



Finland, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom





R-N4:



Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom





R-N5:



Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom





R-N9:



Finland, Norway, Sweden











NORTHERN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Benthic invertebrate fauna (methods sensitive for organic enrichment and general degradation)














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary





Finland


Revised Finnish river invertebrate fauna assessment method


0,80 


0,60 




Ireland


Quality Rating System (Q-value)


0,85 


0,75 




Norway


ASPT


0,99 


0,87 




Sweden


DJ-index (Dahl & Johnson 2004)


0,80 


0,60 




United Kingdom


River Invertebrate Classification Tool (RICT)- WHPT


0,97 


0,86 











Biological Quality Element




Benthic invertebrate fauna (methods sensitive for acidification)














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated





The following results apply to clear, low alkalinity river types









Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary





Norway


AcidIndex2 (Modified Raddum index2) (river acidification)


0,675 


0,515 




United Kingdom — Scotland


WFD-AWIC


0,910 


0,830 




United Kingdom — England and Wales


WFD-AWIC


0,980 


0,890 













Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated





The following results apply to humic, low alkalinity river types









Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary





Sweden


MISA: Multimetric Invertebrate Stream Acidification index


0,550 


0,400 




United Kingdom


WFD-AWIC


0,930 


0,830 











NORTHERN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes and Phytobenthos






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated














Type and Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary






R-N3 and R-N9



 


 


 




Finland


Trophic index TIc


0,889 


0,610 




Sweden


Trophic index TIc


0,889 


0,610 




Norway


Trophic index TIc


0,889 


0,610 











NORTHERN RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes and Phytobenthos






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Phytobenthos














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary





Finland


Finnish river phytobenthos method


0,80 


0,60 




Sweden


Indice de Polluosensibilité Spécifique (IPS)


0,89 


0,74 




Ireland


Revised form of Trophic Diatom Index (TDI)


0,93 


0,78 




United Kingdom


DARLEQ 2


1,00 


0,75 




Norway


Periphyton Index of Trophic Status (PIT)


0,99 
(Ca ≤ 1 mg/l)


0,83 




0,95 
(Ca > 1 mg/l)











Water category




Rivers






Geographical Intercalibration Groups




All






Biological Quality Element




Fish fauna






Overview of regional groups that have been established for the river fish intercalibration:



Lowland-Midland group
 — Belgium (Flanders), Belgium (Wallonia), France, Germany, Netherlands, Lithuania, Luxembourg, United Kingdom (England and Wales), Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Denmark, Hungary


Nordic group
 — Finland, Ireland, Sweden, United Kingdom (Scotland and Northern Ireland), Norway


Alpine-type Mountains group
 — Austria, France, Germany, Slovenia, Italy


Mediterranean South Atlantic group
 — Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Bulgaria


Danubian group
 — Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria









Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated





Lowland-Midland group









Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary





Belgium Flanders


Upstream and Lowland IBI


0,850 


0,650 




Belgium Wallonia


IBIP (Arrêté du Gouvernement wallon du 13 septembre 2012 relatif à l’identification, à la caractérisation et à la fixation des seuils d’état écologique applicables aux masses d’eau de surface et modifiant le Livre II du Code de l’Environnement, contenant le Code de l’Eau. Moniteur belge 12.10.2012)


0,958 


0,792 




France


FBI (Fish-Based Index): Indice Poissons Rivière (IPR). AFNOR NF-T-90-344.


1,131 


0,835 




Germany


FIBS — fischbasiertes Bewertungssystem für Fließgewässer zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie in Deutschland


1,086 


0,592 




Latvia


Latvian Fish Index


0,880 


0,660 




Lithuania


Lithuanian River Fish Index


0,940 


0,720 




Luxembourg


Classification française DCE Indice Poissons Rivière (IPR). AFNOR NF-T-90-344


1,131 


0,835 




Netherlands


NLFISR


0,800 


0,600 




Poland


EFI+PL index


0,800 


0,600 




Nordic group









Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary





Finland


Finnish Fish Index (FiFi) — type L2


0,665 


0,499 




Finland


Finnish Fish Index (FiFi) — type L3


0,658 


0,493 




Finland


Finnish Fish Index (FiFi) — type M1


0,709 


0,532 




Finland


Finnish Fish Index (FiFi) — type M2


0,734 


0,550 




Finland


Finnish Fish Index (FiFi) — type M3


0,723 


0,542 




Ireland


Fish Classification Scheme 2 Ireland (FCS2)


0,845 


0,540 




Sweden


Swedish method VIX


0,739 


0,467 




United Kingdom — Northern Ireland


IR_FCS2


0,845 


0,540 




United Kingdom — Scotland


FCS2 Scotland


0,850 


0,600 




Mediterranean group









Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary





Greece


Hellenic Fish Index (HeFI)


0,800 


0,600 




Portugal


F-IBIP — Fish-based Index of Biotic Integrity for Portuguese Wadeable Streams


0,850 


0,675 




Spain


IBIMED — type T2


0,816 


0,705 




Spain


IBIMED — type T3


0,929 


0,733 




Spain


IBIMED — type T4


0,864 


0,758 




Spain


IBIMED — type T5


0,866 


0,650 




Spain


IBIMED — type T6


0,916 


0,764 




Alpine group









Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary





Austria


FIA


0,875 


0,625 




France


FBI (Fish-Based Index): Indice Poissons Rivière (IPR). AFNOR NF-T90-344


1,131 


0,876 




Germany


FIBS — fischbasiertes Bewertungssystem für Fließgewässer zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie in Deutschland


1,086 


0,592 




Italy


NISECI index (New Index of Ecological Status of Fish Communities)


0,800 


0,520 




Slovenia


Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi rib


0,800 


0,600 




Danubian group









Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary





Bulgaria


TsBRI (Type Specific Bulgarian Fish Index)


0,860 


0,650 




Czech Republic


Czech multimetric method CZI


0,780 


0,585 




Romania


EFI+ European Fish index (cyprinid wading type)


0,939 


0,700 




Romania


EFI+ European Fish index (salmonid type)


0,911 


0,755 




Slovakia


Fish Index of Slovakia FIS


0,710 


0,570 











Water Category




Rivers






Geographical Intercalibration Groups




All — Very Large Rivers






Description of types that have been intercalibrated










Type




River characterisation




Catchment area of stretch (km2)




Alkalinity (meq/l)





R-L1


Very large low alkalinity rivers


> 10 000 


< 0,5 




R-L2


Very large medium to high alkalinity rivers


> 10 000 


> 0,5 





Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:








R-L1:



Finland, Norway, Sweden





R-L2:



Austria, Belgium (Flanders), Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden











VERY LARGE RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP






Biological Quality Element




Benthic invertebrate fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary





Austria


Assessment of the Biological Quality Elements — part benthic invertebrates (for large alpine rivers)


0,80 


0,60 




Austria


Slovak assessment of benthic invertebrates in large rivers (for large lowland rivers)


0,80 


0,60 




Belgium (Flanders)


Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index Flanders (MMIF)


0,90 


0,70 




Bulgaria


mRBA — Modified Rapid Biological Assessment


0,80 


0,60 




Croatia


Ecological status assessment system based on benthic invertebrates in very large rivers


0,80 


0,60 




Czech Republic


Czech system for ecological status assessment of large non-wadeable rivers using benthic macroinvertebrates


0,80 


0,60 




Germany


Germany PTI — Potamon-Typie-Index


0,80 


0,60 




Estonia


Estonian surface water ecological quality assessment _ large river macroinvertebrates


0,90 


0,70 




Spain


IBMWP — Iberian Biological Monitoring Working Party


0,79 


0,48 




Finland


Revised Finnish river invertebrate fauna assessment method


0,80 


0,60 




Hungary


Hungary HMMI_II — Hungarian Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index for large and very large rivers


0,80 


0,60 




Italy


ISA (Indice per la classificazione sulla base dei Substrati Artificiali) — mediterranean rivers


0,94 


0,70 




Italy


ISA (Indice per la classificazione sulla base dei Substrati Artificiali) — non-mediterranean rivers


0,96 


0,72 




Lithuania


Lithuanian River Macroinvertebrate Index


0,80 


0,60 




Latvia


LRMI — Latvian large River Macroinvertebrate Index


0,88 


0,63 




Netherlands


WFD metrics for natural water types


0,80 


0,60 




Norway


Norway ASPT — Average Score Per Taxon


0,99 


0,87 




Poland


RIVECOmacro — MMI_PL


0,91 


0,71 




Romania


ECO-BENT — Assessment method for ecological status of water bodies based on macroinvertebrates


0,79 


0,53 




Sweden


Average Score Per Taxon (ASPT) and DJ-index


0,80 


0,60 




Slovenia


Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev


0,80 


0,60 




Slovakia


Slovak assessment of benthic invertebrates in large rivers


0,80 


0,60 











VERY LARGE RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP






Biological Quality Element




Phytoplankton














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary





Austria


German PhytoFluss-Index 4.0


0,80 


0,60 




Belgium (Flanders)


German PhytoFluss-Index 2.0


0,80 


0,60 




Bulgaria


German PhytoFluss-Index 4.0


0,80 


0,60 




Croatia


HRPI — Hungarian River Phytoplankton Index


0,80 


0,60 




Czech Republic


CZ — Assessment method for ecological status of rivers based on phytoplankton


0,80 


0,60 




Germany


German PhytoFluss-Index


0,80 


0,60 




Estonia


EST_PHYPLA_R — Estonian Large River Phytoplankton Index


0,85 


0,65 




Hungary


HRPI — Hungarian River Phytoplankton Index


0,80 


0,60 




Lithuania


German PhytoFluss-Index for lowland rivers of type 15.2


0,80 


0,60 




Latvia


Latvian Large River Phytoplankton Index


0,80 


0,60 




Poland


IFPL metric — Method for large rivers assessment using phytoplankton


1,08 


0,92 




Romania


ECO-FITO — Assessment Method for Ecological Status of the Water Bodies based on Phytoplankton


0,92 


0,76 




Slovakia


Phytoplankton-SK — Slovak assessment of phytoplankton in large rivers


0,80 


0,60 











VERY LARGE RIVERS GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP






Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes and Phytobenthos






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Phytobenthos














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated














Country and Type




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary






R-L1



 


 


 




Finland


Finnish river phytobenthos method


0,80 


0,60 




Sweden


Benthic algae in running water — diatom analysis


0,89 


0,74 





R-L2



 


 


 




Austria


Assessment of the Biological Quality Elements — part phytobenthos


0,85 


0,57 




Bulgaria


IPS (Indice de Polluo-Sensibilité)


0,76 


0,58 




Czech Republic


Assessment system for rivers using phytobenthos


0,80 


0,60 




Estonia


Estonian surface water ecological quality assessment — river phytobenthos


0,83 


0,64 




France


IBD 2007 (Coste et al, Ecol. Ind. 2009). AFNOR NF T90-354, April 2016. Arrêté ministériel du 25 janvier 2010 modifié relatif aux méthodes et critères d’évaluation de l’état écologique {…} des eaux de surface


0,92 


0,76 




Spain


IPS (Coste in Cemagref, 1982)


0,68 


0,48 




Germany


Verfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Fließgewässern zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul Diatomeen


0,725 


0,55 




Croatia


Ecological status assessment system for phytobenthos in rivers based on diatoms


0,8 


0,61 




Hungary


Ecological status assessment for rivers based on diatoms


0,762 


0,60 




Italy


Intercalibration Common Metric Index (ICMi) (Mancini &Sollazzo 2009)


0,89  (national type C)


0,70  (national type C)




0,82  (national type M3)


0,62  (national type M3)




Netherlands


WFD-metrics for natural water types


0,80 


0,60 




Portugal


IPS — Specific Pollution Sensitivity Index


0,90  (national type R_GRS/Guadiana river)


0,67  (national type R_GRS/Guadiana river)




Slovakia


Ecological status assessment system for rivers using phytobenthos


0,90 


0,70 




Slovenia


Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja vodotokov na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, fitobentos


0,80 


0,60 











Water category




Lakes






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Alpine lakes






Description of types that have been intercalibrated












Type




Lake characterisation




Altitude (m above sea level)




Mean depth (m)




Alkalinity (meq/l)




Lake size (km2)





L-AL3


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


50 — 800


> 15


> 1


> 0,5 




L-AL4


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


200 — 800


3 — 15


> 1


> 0,5 





Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:








Types L-AL3:



Austria, France, Germany, Italy and Slovenia





Types L-AL4:



Austria, France, Germany, Italy











ALPINE LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Phytoplankton














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Austria


Evaluation of the biological quality elements, Part B2 — phytoplankton


0,80 


0,60 




France


Phytoplankton Index for Lakes (IPLAC): Indice Phytoplancton Lacustre


0,80 


0,60 




Germany


PSI (Phyto-Seen-Index) — Bewertungsverfahren für Seen mittels Phytoplankton zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie in Deutschland


0,80 


0,60 




Italy


Italian Phytoplankton Assessment Method (IPAM)


0,80 


0,60 




Slovenia


Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja jezer na podlagi fitoplanktona


0,80 


0,60 











ALPINE LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes and Phytobenthos






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated















Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




IC type




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Austria


AIM for Lakes (Austrian Index Macrophytes for lakes)


L-AL3+
L-AL4


0,80 


0,60 




France


French Macrophyte Index for Lakes (IBML): Indice Biologique Macrophytique en Lacs


L-AL3+
L-AL4


0,92 


0,72 




Germany


Verfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul Makrophyten


L-AL3+
L-AL4


0,76 


0,51 




Germany


Verfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul Makrophyten und Phytobenthos


LAL4


0,74 


0,47 




Italy


MacroIMMI (Macrophytic index for the evaluation of the ecological quality of the Italian lakes)


L-AL3+
L-AL4


0,80 


0,60 




Slovenia


Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja jezer na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, makrofiti


L-AL3


0,80 


0,60 











ALPINE LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Benthic invertebrate fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Slovenia


Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja jezer na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev


0,80 


0,60 




Germany


AESHNA — Bewertungsverfahren für das eulitorale Makrozoobenthos in Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie in Deutschland


0,80 


0,60 











ALPINE LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Fish fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Austria


ALFI (Austrian lake fish index): A multimetric index to assess the ecological status of alpine lakes based on fish fauna


0,80 


0,60 




Germany


DeLFI_SITE — Deutsches probennahmestandort-spezifisches Bewertungsverfahren für Fische in Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie


0,85 


0,69 




Italy


Lake Fish Index (LFI)


0,82 


0,64 











Water category




Lakes






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Central/Baltic lakes






Description of types that have been intercalibrated












Type




Lake characterisation




Altitude (m above sea level)




Mean depth (m)




Alkalinity (meq/l)




Residence time (years)





L-CB1


Lowland, shallow, calcareous


< 200


3 — 15


> 1


1 — 10




L-CB2


Lowland, very shallow, calcareous


< 200


< 3


> 1


0,1  — 1





Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated








Types L-CB1:



Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom





Types L-CB2:



Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom











CENTRAL-BALTIC LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Phytoplankton














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Belgium (Flanders)


Flemish phytoplankton assessment method for lakes


0,80 


0,60 




Denmark


Danish Lake Phytoplankton Index


0,80 


0,60 




Estonia


Estonian surface water ecological quality assessment — lake phytoplankton


0,80 


0,60 




Germany


PSI (Phyto-Seen-Index) — Bewertungsverfahren für Seen mittels Phytoplankton zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie in Deutschland — German Phyto-Lake-Index (Phyto-See-Index)


0,80 


0,60 




Ireland


IE Lake Phytoplankton Index


0,80 


0,60 




Latvia


Latvian Lake Phytoplankton Index


0,81 


0,61 




Lithuania


German Phytoplankton Index (PSI)


0,81 


0,61 




Netherlands


WFD — metrics for natural water types


0,80 


0,60 




Poland


Phytoplankton method for Polish Lakes (PMPL)


0,80 


0,60 




UK


Phytoplankton Lake Assessment Tool with Uncertainty Module (PLUTO)


0,80 


0,60 











CENTRAL-BALTIC LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes and Phytobenthos






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated















Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




IC type




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Belgium (Flanders)


Flemish macrophyte assessment system


All types


0,80 


0,60 




Denmark


Danish Lake Macrophytes Index


All types


0,80 


0,60 




Estonia


Estonian surface water ecological quality assessment — lake macrophytes


LCB1


0,78 


0,52 




LCB2


0,76 


0,50 




Germany


Verfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul Makrophyten


All types


0,80 


0,60 




Latvia


Latvian macrophyte assessment method


All types


0,80 


0,60 




Lithuania


Lithuanian Lake Macrophyte Index


All types


0,75 


0,50 




Netherlands


WFD-metrics for natural water types


All types


0,80 


0,60 




Poland


Macrophyte based indication method for lakes — Ecological Status Macrophyte Index ESMI (multimetric)


All types


0,68 


0,41 




UK


Lake LEAFPACS 2 (*2)



All types


0,80 


0,66 











CENTRAL-BALTIC LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Benthic invertebrate fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate





Belgium (Flanders)


Multimetric Macroinvertebrate Index Flanders (MMIF)


0,90 


0,70 




Estonia


Estonian surface water ecological quality assessment — lake macroinvertebrates


0,86 


0,70 




Germany


AESHNA — Bewertungsverfahren für das eulitorale Makrozoobenthos in Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie in Deutschland


0,80 


0,60 




Latvia


Latvian Lake Macroinvertebrate Multimetric Index (LLMMI)


0,85 


0,52 




Lithuania


Lithuanian Lake Macroinvertebrate Index


0,74 


0,50 




Netherlands


WFDi — Metric for Natural Watertypes


0,80 


0,60 




UK


Chironomid Pupal Exuvial Technique (CPET)


0,77 


0,64 











CENTRAL-BALTIC LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Fish fauna






Description of common intercalibration types












Type




Lake characterisation




Altitude (m above sea level)




Mean depth (m)




Alkalinity (meq/l)




Residence time (years)





L-CB1


Lowland, shallow, calcareous


< 200


3 — 15


> 1


1 — 10




L-CB2


Lowland, very shallow, calcareous


< 200


< 3


> 1


0,1  — 1




L-CB3


Lowland, shallow, small, siliceous (moderate alkalinity)


< 200


3 — 15


0,2  — 1


1 — 10




L-CB4


Heavily modified water bodies


200 — 700


3 — 30


> 0,2 


0,1  — 5





Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated








Types L-CB1:



Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom





Types L-CB2:



Belgium, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom





Types L-CB3:



Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, France, Latvia, Poland





Types L-CB4:



Czech Republic













Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate





Czech Republic


CZ-FBI


0,870 


0,619 




Denmark


Danish Lake Fish Index


0,75 


0,54 




EE


LAFIEE


0,80 


0,61 




Germany


DeLFI_SITE — Deutsches probennahmestandort-spezifisches Bewertungsverfahren für Fische in Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie


0,95 


0,80 




France


ELFI (European Lake Fish Index): Indice Ichtyofaune Lacustre (IIL)


0,73 


0,49 




Latvia


Latvian Lake Fish Index


0,76 


0,57 




Lithuania


Lithuanian Lake Fish Index


0,865 


0,605 




Netherlands


VISMAATLAT


0,80 


0,60 




Poland


LFI+


0,866 


0,595 




Poland


LFI EN


0,804 


0,557 











Water category




Lakes






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Eastern Continental lakes






Description of common intercalibration types












Type




Lake characterisation




Altitude (m above sea level)




Mean depth (m)




Alkalinity (meq/l)




Conductivity (μS/cm)





L-EC1


Lowland very shallow hard-water


< 200


< 6


1 — 4


300 — 1 000 





Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated








Types L-EC1:



Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania











EASTERN CONTINENTAL LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP






Biological Quality Element




Phytoplankton














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Bulgaria


HLPI-Hungarian lake phytoplankton index


0,80 


0,60 




Hungary


HLPI-Hungarian lake phytoplankton index


0,80 


0,60 




Romania


HLPI-Hungarian lake phytoplankton index


0,80 


0,60 











EASTERN CONTINENTAL LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP






Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes and Phytobenthos






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good


boundary




Good-moderate


boundary





Bulgaria


RI-BG — Adapted Reference Index


0,83 


0,58 




Hungary


HU-RI — Adapted Reference Index


0,89 


0,67 




Romania


MIRO — Macrophyte Index for Romanian Lakes (Adapted Reference Index)


0,86 


0,66 











EASTERN CONTINENTAL LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP






Biological Quality Element




Benthic invertebrate fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Bulgaria


HMMI_lakes (Hungarian Macrozoobenton Multimetric Index for Lakes


0,85 


0,65 




Hungary


HMMI_lakes (Hungarian Macrozoobenton Multimetric Index for Lakes


0,85 


0,65 




Romania


ECO-NL-BENT Romanian ecological status assessment system for natural lakes using benthic invertebrates


0,93 


0,60 











EASTERN LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP






Biological Quality Element




Fish fauna






INTERCALIBRATION RESULTS NOT COMPLETED








Water category




Lakes






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Mediterranean lakes






Description of types that have been intercalibrated














Type




Lake characterization




Altitude


(m)




Annual mean precipitation (mm) and T ( oC)




Mean depth (m)




Area (km2)




Catchment (km2)




Alkalinity (meq/l)





L-M5/7


Reservoirs, deep, large, siliceous, ‘wet’ areas


< 1 000 


> 800 and/or < 15


> 15


0,5  — 50


< 20 000 


< 1




L-M8


Reservoirs, deep, large, calcareous


< 1 000 


—


> 15


0,5  — 50


< 20 000 


> 1





Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated








Types L-M5/7:



France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain





Types L-M8:



Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Spain











MEDITERRANEAN LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Phytoplankton














Country and Type




National classification


methods intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good


boundary




Good-moderate


boundary






LM 5/7





France


Phytoplankton Index for Lakes (IPLAC): Indice Phytoplancton Lacustre


n.d. (*3)



0,60 




Greece


New Mediterranean Assessment System for Reservoirs (NMASRP)


n.d. (*3)



0,60 




Italy


New Italian Method (NITMET)


n.d. (*3)



0,60 




Portugal


Reservoirs Biological Quality Assessment Method — Phytoplankton (New Mediterranean Assessment System for Reservoirs Phytoplankton: NMASRP).


n.d. (*3)



0,60 




Spain


Mediterranean Assessment System for Reservoirs Phytoplankton (MASRP).


n.d. (*3)



0,58 





L-M8





Cyprus


New Mediterranean Assessment System for Reservoirs Phytoplankton (NMASRP).


n.d. (*3)



0,60 




France


Phytoplankton Index for Lakes (IPLAC): Indice Phytoplancton Lacustre


n.d. (*3)



0,60 




Greece


New Mediterranean Assessment System for Reservoirs (NMASRP)


n.d. (*3)



0,60 




Italy


New Italian Method (NITMET)


n.d. (*3)



0,60 




Spain


Mediterranean Assessment System for Reservoirs Phytoplankton (MASRP).


n.d. (*3)



0,60 











Water category




Lakes






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Northern lakes












NORTHERN LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Phytoplankton






Description of types that have been intercalibrated












Type




Lake characterisation




Altitude (m above sea level)




Mean depth (m)




Alkalinity (meq/l)




Colour


(mg Pt/l)





L-N1


Lowland, shallow, moderate alkalinity, clear


< 200


3 — 15


0,2  — 1


< 30




L-N2a


Lowland, shallow, low alkalinity, clear


< 200


3 — 15


< 0,2 


< 30




L-N2b


Lowland, deep, low alkalinity, clear


< 200


> 15


< 0,2 


< 30




L-N3a


Lowland, shallow, low alkalinity, meso-humic


< 200


3 — 15


< 0,2 


30 — 90




L-N5


Mid-altitude, shallow, low alkalinity, clear


200 — 800


3 — 15


< 0,2 


< 30




L-N6a


Mid-altitude, shallow, low alkalinity, meso-humic


200 — 800


3 — 15


< 0,2 


30 — 90




L-N8a


Lowland, shallow, moderate alkalinity, meso-humic


< 200


3 — 15


0,2  — 1


30 — 90











Types L-N1, L-N2a, L-N3a, LN-8a:



Ireland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom.





Types L-N2b:



Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom





Types L-N5, L-N6a:



Norway, Sweden













Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated














Country




National classification


methods intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good


boundary




Good-moderate


boundary





Finland


Finnish phytoplankton assessment method for lakes


0,80 


0,60 




Ireland


IE Lake Phytoplankton Index


0,80 


0,60 




Norway


Lake phytoplankton ecological status classification method


0,80 


0,60 




Sweden


Ecological assessment methods for lakes. quality factor phytoplankton


0,80 


0,60 




UK


Phytoplankton Lake Assessment Tool with Uncertainty Module (PLUTO)


0,80 


0,60 











NORTHERN LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes and Phytobenthos






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes






Description of types that have been intercalibrated










Type




Lake characterisation




Alkalinity (meq/l)




Color(mg Pt/l)





L-N-M 101


Low alkalinity, clear


0,05  — 0,2 


< 30




L-N-M 102


Low alkalinity, humic


0,05  — 0,2 


> 30




L-N-M 201


Moderate alkalinity, clear


0,2  — 1,0 


< 30




L-N-M 202


Moderate alkalinity, humic


0,2  — 1,0 


> 30




L-N-M 301a


High alkalinity, clear, atlantic subtype


> 1,0 


< 30




L-N-M 302a


High alkalinity, humic, atlantic subtype


> 1,0 


> 30











Types 101, 102, 201 and 202:



Ireland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom.





Type 301a:



Ireland, United Kingdom.





Type 302a:



Ireland, United Kingdom













Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated














Country




National classification


methods intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate





Finland


Finnish macrophyte classification system (Finnmac)


0,8  (all types)


0,6  (all types)




Ireland


Free Macrophyte Index


0,9  (all types)


0,68  (all types)




Norway


National macrophyte index (Trophic Index — TIc)


Type 101: 0,98 
Type 102: 0,96 
Type 201: 0,95 
Type 202: 0,99 


Type 101: 0,87 
Type 102: 0,87 
Type 201: 0,75 
Type 202: 0,77 




Sweden


Trophic Macrophyte Index (TMI)


Type 101: 0,93 
Type 102: 0,93 
Type 201: 0,89 
Type 202: 0,91 


Type 101: 0,80 
Type 102: 0,83 
Type 201: 0,78 
Type 202: 0,78 




UK


Lake LEAFPACS 2 (*4)



0,8  (all types)


0,66  (all types)




UK


Free Macrophyte Index (*5)



0,9  (all types)


0,68  (all types)











NORTHERN LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Benthic invertebrates Fauna






Description of types that have been intercalibrated












Type




Lake characterisation




Ecoregion




Altitude


(m absl)




Alkalinity (meq/l)




Colour (mg Pt/l)





Lake littoral acidification


 


 


 


 




L-N-BF1


Lowland/mid-altitude, low alkalinity, clear


n.d.


< 800


0,05  — 0,2 


< 30




Lake profundal eutrophication


 


 


 


 




L-N-BF2


Ecoregion 22, low alkalinity, clear and humic


22


Area > 1 km2, max depth > 6 m


< 0,2 


n.d.











Types L-N-BF1:



Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, Ireland, Finland





Types L-N-BF2:



Finland, Sweden













Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated














Country




National classification


methods intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good




Good-moderate





 


Lake littoral acidification


 


 




Norway


MultiClear: Multimetric Invertebrate Index for Clear Lakes


0,95 


0,74 




Sweden


MILA: Multimetric Invertebrate Lake Acidification index


0,85 


0,60 




UK


LAMM (Lake Acidification Macroinvertebrate Metric)


0,86 


0,70 




 


Lake profundal eutrophication


 


 




Finland


Revised Finnish lake invertebrate fauna assessment method (PICM)


0,80 


0,60 




Sweden


BQI (Benthic Quality Index)


0,84 


0,67 











NORTHERN LAKES GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Fish fauna






Description of types that have been intercalibrated











Type




Lake characterisation




Lake area km2





Alkalinity (meq/l)




Colour (mg Pt/l)





L-N-F1


Dimictic clear water lakes


< 40


< 0,2 


< 30




L-N-F2


Dimictic humic lakes


< 5


< 0,2 


30 — 90











Types L-N-F1:



Ireland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom





Types L-N-F2:



Ireland, Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom













Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated














Country




National classification


methods intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Eutrophication




Finland


EQR4


0,80 


0,60 




Ireland


FIL2


0,76 


0,53 




UK (Northern Ireland)


FIL2


0,76 


0,53 




Norway


EindexW3


0,75 


0,56 




Sweden


EindexW3


0,75 


0,56 




Acidification




Norway


AindexW5


0,74 


0,55 




Sweden


AindexW5


0,74 


0,55 











Water category




Lakes






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Cross-GIG Phytobenthos






Description of types that have been intercalibrated









Type


Lake characterisation


Alkalinity (meq/l)


Ecoregions




HA


High alkalinity lakes


> 1


Alpine, Central-Baltic, Eastern Continental, Mediterranean




MA


Moderate alkalinity lakes


0,2  — 1


Alpine, Central-Baltic, Eastern Continental, Mediterranean, Northern




LA


Low alkalinity lakes


< 0,2 


Northern











Types HA:



Belgium, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Poland, Sweden, Slovenia, United Kingdom





Types MA:



Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Sweden, United Kingdom





Types LA:



Finland, Ireland, Sweden, United Kingdom













Country a and Type




National classification


methods intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






HA type





Belgium (Flanders)


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


0,80 


0,60 




Germany


Verfahrensanleitung für die ökologische Bewertung von Seen zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie: Makrophyten und Phytobenthos (PHYLIB), Modul Phytobenthos


0,80 


0,55 




Hungary


MIL — Multimetric Index for Lakes


0,80 


0,69 




Ireland


Lake Trophic Diatom Index (IE)


0,90 


0,63 




Italy


Italian national method for the evaluation of the ecological quality of lake waterbodies using benthic diatoms (EPI-L)


0,75 


0,5 




Lithuania


Lithuanian Lake Phytobenthos Index


0,63 


0,47 




Poland


PL IOJ (Multimetryczny Indeks Okrzemkowy dla Jezior = Multimetric Diatom Index for Lakes)


0,91 


0,76 




Sweden


IPS


0,89 


0,74 




Slovenia


Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja jezer na podlagi fitobentosa in makrofitov, fitobentos


0,80 


0,60 




UK


DARLEQ 2


0,92 


0,70 





MA type





Belgium (Flanders)


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


0,80 


0,60 




Finland


Finnish lake phytobenthos method


0,80 


0,60 




Ireland


Lake Trophic Diatom Index (IE)


0,90 


0,63 




Italy


Italian national method for the evaluation of the ecological quality of lake waterbodies using benthic diatoms (EPI-L)


0,75 


0,5 




Romania


National (Romanian) Assessment Method for Natural Lakes Ecological Status based on Phytobenthos (Diatoms) RO-AMLP


0,80 


0,60 




Sweden


IPS


0,89 


0,74 




UK


DARLEQ 2


0,93 


0,66 





LA type





Ireland


Lake Trophic Diatom Index (IE)


0,90 


0,66 




UK


DARLEQ 2


0,92 


0,70 











Water category




Coastal waters






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Baltic Sea






Description of types that have been intercalibrated












Type




Surface salinity (psu)




Bottom salinity


(psu)




Exposure




Ice days




Other Characteristics





BC1


0,5  — 6 Oligohaline


1 — 6


Exposed


90 — 150


Sites in the Quark and the Bothnian Sea, extending to the Archipelago Sea (for phytoplankton the latter is excluded and integrated in type BC9). Influence of humic substances




BC2


6 — 22 Mesohaline


2 — 6


Very Sheltered


 


Lagoons




BC3


3 — 6 Oligohaline


3 — 6


Sheltered


90 — 150


Finnish and Estonian coasts of Gulf of Finland




BC4


5 — 8 Lower mesohaline


5 — 8


Sheltered


< 90


Sites of Estonia and Latvia in the Gulf of Riga




BC5


6 — 8 Lower mesohaline


6 — 12


Exposed


< 90


Sites in the southeastern Baltic Sea along the coast of Latvia, Lithuania and Poland




BC6


8 — 12 Mid mesohaline


8 — 12


Sheltered


< 90


Sites along the Western Baltic Sea at the southern Swedish coast and the southeastern Danish coast




BC7


6 — 8 Mid mesohaline


8 — 11


Exposed


< 90


Western Polish coast and eastern German coast




BC8


13 — 18 Upper mesohaline


18 — 23


Sheltered


< 90


Danish and German coasts in the Western Baltic Sea




BC9


3 — 6 Lower mesohaline


3 — 6


Moderately exposed to exposed


90 — 150


Sites in the western Gulf of Finland, Archipelago Sea and Asko archipelago (only for phytoplankton)





Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:








Type BC1:



Finland Sweden





Type BC2:



Germany





Type BC3:



Estonia, Finland





Type BC4:



Estonia, Latvia





Type BC5:



Latvia, Lithuania





Type BC6:



Sweden, Denmark





Type BC7:



Germany, Poland





Type BC8:



Germany, Denmark





Type BC9:



Finland, Sweden, Estonia (type only relevant for phytoplankton)











BALTIC SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Phytoplankton














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated














Country and Type




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






BC7





Germany


German coastal phytoplankton method


0,8 


0,6 




Poland


Polish coastal phytoplankton method


0,8 


0,6 





BC8





Denmark


Danish coastal phytoplankton method


0,8 


0,6 




Germany


German coastal phytoplankton method


0,8 


0,6 





Results for parameter indicative of biomass (Chlorophyll-a)










Country and Type


Ecological Quality Ratios


Values (μg/l)




High-good boundary


Good-moderate boundary


High-good boundary


Good-moderate boundary





BC1





Finland (Quark outer)


0,76 


0,59 


1,7 


2,2 




Finland (Bothnian Sea outer)


0,78 


0,60 


1,6 


2,1 




Sweden (Quark outer)


0,75 


0,58 


1,6 


2,1 




Sweden (Bothnian Sea outer)


0,80 


0,60 


1,5 


2,0 





BC4





Estonia


0,830 


0,670 


2,4 


3,0 




Latvia


0,82 


0,67 


2,2 


2,7 





BC5





Latvia


0,650 


0,390 


1,85 


3,1 




Lithuania


0,880 


0,600 


2,5 


4,9 





BC6





Denmark


0,78 


0,62 


1,36 


1,72 




Sweden


0,79 


0,64 


1,44 


1,78 





BC9





Estonia


0,82 


0,67 


2,20 


2,70 




Finland


0,79 


0,65 


1,90 


2,30 




Sweden


0,80 


0,67 


1,50 


1,80 











BALTIC SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Macroalgae and Angiosperms














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated













Country and Type


National classification systems intercalibrated


Ecological Quality Ratios




High-good boundary


Good-moderate boundary





BC3





Estonia


EPI — Estonian coastal water phytobenthos Index (macroalgae and angiosperms)


0,98 


0,86 




Finland


Fucus depth limit (macroalgae)


0,92 


0,79 





BC4





Estonia


EPI — Estonian Phytobenthos Index (macroalgae and angiosperms)


0,91 


0,70 




Latvia


PEQI — Phytobenthos Ecological Quality Index


0,90 


0,75 





BC5





Latvia


MDFLD — Maximum depth of the red alga Furcellaria lumbricalis distribution (macroalgae)


0,90 


0,75 




Lithuania


MDFLD — Lithuanian maximum depth of the red alga Furcellaria lumbricalis distribution (macroalgae)


0,84 


0,68 











BALTIC SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Benthic invertebrate fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated













Country and Type


National classification systems intercalibrated


Ecological Quality Ratios




High-good boundary


Good-moderate boundary





BC1





Finland


BBI — Finnish Brackish water Benthic Index


0,96 


0,56 




Sweden


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


0,77 


0,31 





BC3





Estonia


ZKI — Estonian coastal water macrozoobenthos community index


0,39 


0,24 




Finland


BBI — Finnish Brackish water Benthic Index


0,94 


0,56 





BC5





Latvia


BQI — Benthic quality index


0,87 


0,61 




Lithuania


BQI — Lithuanian benthic quality index


0,94 


0,81 





BC6





Denmark


Danish Quality Index version 2 (DKI ver2)


0,84 


0,68 




Sweden


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


0,76 


0,27 





BC7





Germany


MarBIT- Marine Biotic Index Tool


—


0,60 




Poland


B — Macrozoobenthos BQE assessment by multimetric index


—


0,58 





BC8





Denmark


Danish Quality Index version 2 (DKI ver2)


0,86 


0,72 




Germany


MarBIT — Marine Biotic Index Tool


0,80 


0,60 











Water category




Coastal waters






Geographical Intercalibration Group




North East Atlantic






Description of types that have been intercalibrated










Type


Characterisation


Salinity (psu)
Tidal range (m)
Depth (m)


Current Velocity (knots) Exposure


Mixing
Residence Time




Type for opportunistic blooming macroalgae, seagrasses, saltmarshes and benthic invertebrate fauna




NEA 1/26


Open oceanic or enclosed seas, exposed or sheltered, euhaline, shallow


< 30
Mesotidal 1-5
< 30


Medium 1 — 3
Exposed or sheltered


Fully mixed
Days (to weeks in the Wadden Sea)




Subtypes for intertidal macroalgae




NEA 1/26 A2


Open oceanic, exposed or sheltered, euhaline, shallow, Temperate waters (mainly, > 13 oC) and high irradiance (mainly, PAR > 29 Mol/m2 day)


> 30
Mesotidal 1 — 5
< 30


Medium 1 — 3
Exposed or sheltered


Fully mixed Days




NEA 1/26 B21


Open oceanic or enclosed seas, exposed or sheltered, euhaline, shallow Cool waters (mainly, < 13 oC) and medium irradiance (mainly, PAR < 29 Mol/m2 day)


> 30 Mainly mesotidal 1 — 5 < 30


Medium 1 — 3 Exposed or sheltered


Fully mixed Days




Subtypes for phytoplankton




NEA 1/26a


Open oceanic, exposed or sheltered, euhaline, shallow


> 30 Mesotidal 1 — 5 < 30


Medium 1 -3 Exposed or sheltered


Fully mixed Days




NEA 1/26b


Enclosed seas, exposed or sheltered, euhaline, shallow


> 30 Mesotidal 1 — 5 < 30


Medium 1 — 3 Exposed or sheltered


Fully mixed Days




NEA 1/26c


Enclosed seas, enclosed or sheltered, partly stratified


> 30 Microtidal/Mesotidal < 1 — 5 < 30


Medium 1 — 3 Exposed or sheltered


Partly stratified Days to weeks




NEA 1/26d


Scandinavian coast, exposed or sheltered, shallow


> 30 Microtidal < 1 < 30


Low < 1 Exposed or moderately exposed


Partly stratified Days to weeks




NEA 1/26e


Areas of upwelling, exposed or sheltered, euhaline, shallow


> 30 Mesotidal < 1 < 30


Medium 1 — 3 Exposed or sheltered


Fully mixed Days




Types for phytoplankton, macroalgae, seagrasses, saltmarshes, benthic invertebrate fauna




NEA 5


Helgoland (German Bight), rocky, exposed and partly stratified


> 30
Mesotidal
< 30


Medium 1 — 3 Exposed


Partly stratified Days




NEA 3/4


Polyhaline, Exposed or moderately exposed (Wadden Sea type)


Polyhaline 18 — 30 Mesotidal 1 — 5 < 30


Medium 1 — 3 Exposed or moderately exposed


Fully mixed Days




NEA 7


Deep fjordic and sea loch systems


> 30 Mesotidal 1 -5 > 30


Low < 1 Sheltered


Fully mixed Days




NEA 8a


Skagerrak Inner Arc Type, polyhaline, microtidal, moderately exposed, shallow


Polyhaline 25 — 30 Microtidal < 1 > 30


Low < 1 Moderately exposed


Fully mixed Days to weeks




NEA 8b


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


Polyhaline 10 — 30 Microtidal < 1 < 30


Low < 1 Sheltered to moderately exposed


Partly stratified Days to weeks




NEA 9


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


Polyhaline 25 — 30 Microtidal < 1 > 30


Low < 1 Sheltered


Partly stratified Weeks




NEA 10


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


Polyhaline 25 — 30 Microtidal < 1 > 30


Low < 1 Exposed


Partly stratified Days





Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:




Type NEA1/26 opportunistic blooming macroalgae, seagrasses, saltmarshes, benthic invertebrate fauna:

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



Type NEA1/26 A2: intertidal macroalgae:


 France, Spain, Portugal



Type NEA1/26 B21: intertidal macroalgae:


 France, Ireland, Norway, United Kingdom



Type NEA1/26a phytoplankton:

 Spain, France, Ireland, Norway, United Kingdom



Type NEA1/26b phytoplankton:

 Belgium, France, Netherlands, United Kingdom



Type NEA1/26c phytoplankton:

 Germany, Denmark



Type NEA1/26d phytoplankton:

 Denmark



Type NEA1/26e phytoplankton:

 Portugal, Spain



Type NEA 5:

 Germany



Type NEA3/4:

 Germany, Netherlands



Type NEA7:

 Norway, United Kingdom



Type NEA8a:

 Norway, Sweden



Type NEA8b:

 Denmark, Sweden



Type NEA9:

 Norway, Sweden



Type NEA10:

 Norway, Sweden







NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Phytoplankton












Phytoplankton:



parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a)

















Results:




Ecological quality ratios and parameter values





Parameter values are expressed in μg/l as the 90 %ile value calculated over the defined growing season in a six year period.










Country and Type




Ecological Quality Ratios




Values (μg/l)






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary




High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






NEA 1/26a





France


0,76 


0,33 


4,40 


10,00 




Ireland


0,82 


0,60 


9,90 


15,00 




Norway


0,67 


0,33 


2,50 


5,00 




Spain (Eastern Cantabrian coast)


0,67 


0,33 


1,50 


3,00 




Spain (Western-Central Cantabrian Coast)


0,67 


0,33 


3,00 


6,00 




Spain (Gulf of Cadiz coast)


0,67 


0,33 


5,00 


10,00 




United Kingdom


0,80 


0,60 


5,00 


10,00 





NEA 1/26b





Belgium


0,80 


0,67 


12,50 


15,00 




France


0,67 


0,44 


10,00 


15,00 




Netherlands


0,67 


0,44 


10,00 


15,00 




United Kingdom (south)


0,82 


0,63 


9,80 


14,30 




United Kingdom (north)


0,80 


0,60 


10,00 


15,00 





NEA 1/26c



 


 


 


 




Germany


0,67 


0,44 


5,0 


7,5 




Denmark


0,67 


0,44 


5,0 


7,5 





NEA 1/26e





Portugal (Iberian strong upwelling-A5)


0,670 


0,440 


8,000 


12,000 




Portugal (upwelling-A6,A7)


0,880 


0,490 


4,500 


8,200 




Spain (Western Iberian upwelling coast)


0,67 


0,44 


6,00 


9,00 




Spain (Western Iberian upwelling coast — rías)


0,67 


0,44 


8,00 


12,00 





NEA 3/4





Germany (Eems Dollard)


0,80 


0,60 


7,00 


11,00 




Germany (Wadden Sea)


0,80 


0,60 


7,00 


11,00 




Netherlands (Eems Dollard)


0,80 


0,60 


6,75 


10,13 




Netherlands (Wadden Sea)


0,80 


0,60 


9,60 


14,40 




Netherlands (North Sea)


0,80 


0,60 


11,25 


16,88 





NEA 8a





Norway


0,79 


0,57 


3,95 


5,53 




Sweden


0,75 


0,49 


1,54 


2,35 





NEA 8b (The Sound)





Denmark


0,79 


0,59 


1,22 


1,63 




Sweden


0,80 


0,60 


1,18 


1,56 





NEA 8b (The Kattegat and Great Belt)






Denmark


0,83 


0,64 


1,22 


1,58 




Sweden


0,84 


0,65 


1,18 


1,52 





NEA 9





Norway


0,76 


0,43 


3,92 


6,90 




Sweden


0,73 


0,38 


1,89 


3,60 





NEA 10





Norway


0,73 


0,49 


3,53 


5,26 




Sweden


0,71 


0,46 


1,39 


2,14 











NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Macroalgae and Angiosperms






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Macroalgae






Intertidal or subtidal macroalgae rocky bottom










Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated














Country and Type




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






Type NEA1/26 A2 intertidal macroalgae






France


CCO — Cover, Characteristic species, Opportunistic species on intertidal rocky bottoms


0,80 


0,60 




Portugal


PMarMAT — Marine Macroalgae Assessment Tool


0,80 


0,61 




Spain


CFR — Quality of Rocky Bottoms


0,81 


0,60 




Spain


RICQI — Rocky Intertidal Community Quality Index


0,82 


0,60 




Spain


RSL — Reduced Species List


0,75 


0,48 





Type NEA1/26 B21 intertidal macroalgae






Ireland


RSL — Rocky Shore Reduced Species List


0,80 


0,60 




Norway


RSLA — Rocky Shore Reduced Species List with Abundance


0,80 


0,60 




United Kingdom


RSL — Rocky Shore Reduced Species List


0,80 


0,60 





Type NEA 7 intertidal macroalgae




 




Norway


RSLA — Rocky Shore Reduced Species List with Abundance


0,80 


0,60 




United Kingdom


RSL — Rocky Shore Reduced Species List


0,80 


0,60 





Type NEA8a/9/10 subtidal macroalgae






Norway


MSMDI — Multi Species Maximum Depth Index


0,80 


0,60 




Sweden


MSMDI — Multi Species Maximum Depth Index


0,80 


0,60 











NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Macroalgae and Angiosperms






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Macroalgae






Intertidal blooming macroalgae soft bottom, indicative of abundance










Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated














Country and Type




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






Type NEA 1/26





Germany


OMAI — Opportunistic Macroalgae-cover/acreage on soft sediment intertidal in coastal waters


0,78 


0,59 




France


CWOGA — Macroalgal Bloom Assessment


0,825 


0,617 




Ireland


OGA tool — Opportunistic Green Macroalgal Abundance


0,80 


0,60 




United Kingdom


OMBT — Opportunistic macroalgal blooming tool


0,80 


0,60 











NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Macroalgae and Angiosperms






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Angiosperms






Seagrasses










Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated














Country and Type




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






Type NEA 1/26





Germany


SG — Assessment tool for intertidal seagrass in coastal and transitional waters


0,80 


0,60 




France


SBQ — Seagrass beds quality in coastal and transitional water bodies


0,80 


0,645 




Ireland


Intertidal Seagrass tool


0,80 


0,61 




Netherlands


SG — Monitoring beds of SG per waterbody using aerial photographs, ground truth and specifying surface & density per species


0,80 


0,60 




Portugal


SQI — Seagrass quality index


0,80 


0,60 




United Kingdom


Intertidal Seagrass tool


0,80 


0,61 





Type NEA 3/4





Germany


SG — Bewertungssystem für Makroalgen und Seegräser der Küsten- und Übergangsgewässer zur Umsetzung der EG-Wasserrahmenrichtlinie in Deutschland


0,80 


0,60 




Netherlands


Monitoring beds of SG per waterbody using aerial photographs, ground truth and specifying surface and density per species


0,80 


0,60 











NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Benthic invertebrate fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated














Country and Type




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






Type NEA 1/26





Belgium


BEQI — Benthic Ecosystem Quality Index


0,80 


0,60 




Denmark


Danish Quality Index (DKI)


0,80 


0,60 




Germany


M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index


0,85 


0,70 




France


M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index


0,77 


0,53 




Ireland


IQI — Infaunal Quality Index


0,75 


0,64 




Netherlands


BEQI2 -Benthic Ecosystem Quality Index 2


0,80 


0,60 




Norway


NQI — Norwegian Quality Index


0,72 


0,63 




Portugal


BAT — Benthic Assessment Tool


0,79 


0,58 




Spain


M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index


0,77 


0,63 




United Kingdom


IQI — Infaunal Quality Index


0,75 


0,64 





Type NEA 3/4





Germany


M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index


0,85 


0,70 




Netherlands


BEQI2 — Benthic Ecosystem Quality Index 2


0,80 


0,60 





Type NEA 7





Norway


NQI — Norwegian Quality Index


0,72 


0,63 




United Kingdom


IQI — Infaunal Quality Index


0,75 


0,64 





Type NEA 8b





Denmark


Danish Quality Index (DKI)


0,84 


0,68 




Sweden


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


0,71 


0,54 





Type NEA 8a/9/10





Norway


NQI — Norwegian Quality Index


0,82 


0,63 




Sweden


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


0,71 


0,54 











Water category




Coastal waters






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Mediterranean Sea






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

For benthic invertebrate fauna, macroalgae and seagrasses the intercalibration results apply to the entire Mediterranean Sea covered by the Country









Type




Description




Density (kg/m3)




Annual mean salinity (psu)





Type I


Highly influenced by freshwater input


< 25


< 34,5 




Type IIA, IIA Adriatic


Moderately influenced by freshwater input (continent influence)


25 — 27


34,5  — 37,5 




Type IIIW


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


> 27


> 37,5 




Type IIIE


Not influenced by freshwater input (Eastern Basin)


> 27


> 37,5 




Type Island-W*


Island coast (Western Basin)


All range


All range





Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:








Type I:



France, Italy





Type IIA:



France, Spain, Italy





Type IIA Adriatic:



Italy, Slovenia





Type Island-W* (no boundaries for this type and no possible the intercalibration due to justified reasons):



France, Spain, Italy





Type IIIW:



France, Spain, Italy





Type IIIE:



Greece, Cyprus











MEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Phytoplankton














Phytoplankton:




parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a)














Results:




Ecological quality ratios and parameter values





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.










Country and Type




Ecological Quality Ratios




Values (μg/l)






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary




High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






Type II A





France


0,67 


0,37 


1,92 


3,50 




Spain


0,67 


0,37 


1,92 


3,50 





Type II A Adriatic






Croatia


0,82 


0,61 


1,70 


4,00 




Italy


0,82 


0,61 


1,70 


4,00 




Slovenia


0,82 


0,61 


1,70 


4,00 





Type IIIW





France


0,67 


0,42 


1,18 


1,89 




Spain


0,67 


0,42 


1,18 


1,89 





Type IIIE





Cyprus


0,66 


0,37 


0,29 


0,53 




Greece


0,66 


0,37 


0,29 


0,53 











MEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Macroalgae and Angiosperms






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Macroalgae














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated





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









Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Cyprus


EEI-c — Ecological Evaluation Index


0,76 


0,48 




France


CARLIT — Cartography of Littoral and upper-sublittoral rocky-shore communities


0,75 


0,60 




Greece


EEI-c — Ecological Evaluation Index


0,76 


0,48 




Croatia


CARLIT — Cartography of Littoral and upper-sublittoral rocky-shore communities


0,75 


0,60 




Italy


CARLIT — Cartography of Littoral and upper-sublittoral rocky-shore communities


0,75 


0,60 




Malta


CARLIT — Cartography of Littoral and upper-sublittoral rocky-shore communities


0,75 


0,60 




Slovenia


Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja obalnega morja na podlagi makroalg


0,76 


0,48 




Spain


CARLIT — Cartography of Littoral and upper-sublittoral rocky-shore communities


0,75 


0,60 











MEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Macroalgae and Angiosperms






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Angiosperms














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Croatia


POMI — Posidonia oceanica Multivariate Index


0,775 


0,55 




Cyprus


PREI — Posidonia oceanica Rapid Easy Index


0,775 


0,55 




France


PREI — Posidonia oceanica Rapid Easy Index


0,775 


0,55 




Italy


PREI — Posidonia oceanica Rapid Easy Index


0,775 


0,55 




Malta


PREI — Posidonia oceanica Rapid Easy Index


0,775 


0,55 




Spain


POMI — Posidonia oceanica Multivariate Index


0,775 


0,55 




Spain


Valencian-CS


0,775 


0,55 











MEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Benthic invertebrate fauna






Biological Quality Element



 













Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Italy


M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index


0,81 


0,61 




Slovenia


Metodologija vrednotenja ekološkega stanja obalnega morja na podlagi bentoških nevretenčarjev


0,83 


0,62 




Cyprus


Bentix


0,75 


0,58 




France


AMBI


0,83 


0,58 




Greece


Bentix


0,75 


0,58 




Spain


BOPA


0,95 


0,54 




Spain


MEDOCC


0,73 


0,47 











Water category




Coastal waters






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Black Sea






Description of types that have been intercalibrated








Type




Description





CW-BL1


Mesohaline, microtidal (< 1 m), shallow (< 30 m), moderately exposed to very exposed, mixed substratum (fine sand for zoobenthos)





Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated: Bulgaria and Romania








BLACK SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Phytoplankton














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Bulgaria


IBI


0,80 


0,63 




Romania


IBI


0,80 


0,63 











BLACK SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Macroalgae and Angiosperms














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Bulgaria


EI-Ecological index


0,837 


0,644 




Romania


EI-Ecological index


0,837 


0,644 











BLACK SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Benthic Invertebrate fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Bulgaria


M-AMBI(n) — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index Normalized


0,90 


0,68 




Romania


M-AMBI(n) — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index Normalized


0,90 


0,68 











Water category




Transitional waters






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Baltic Sea GIG






Description of types that have been intercalibrated












Type




Surface salinity psu




Bottom salinity (psu)




Exposure




Ice days




Other Characteristics





BT1


0 — 8 Oligohaline


0 — 8


Very sheltered


—


Polish Vistula lagoon and Lithuanian Curonian lagoon





Countries sharing types that have been intercalibrated:

Lithuania and Poland







BALTIC SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element




Phytoplankton






Results for parameter indicative of biomass (Chrophyll a)


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











Country




Ecological Quality Ratios




Values (μg/l)






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary




High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Lithuania


0,83 


0,57 


31,70 


46,60 




Poland


0,77 


0,61 


33,46 


42,20 











Water category




Transitional waters






Geographical Intercalibration Group




North East Atlantic






Description of types that have been intercalibrated











Type




Characterisation




Salinity (psu),


Tidal range (m), Depth (m)




Current Velocity (knots), Exposure




Mixing


Residence Time





NEA 11


Transitional Waters


0 — 35 Micro to macrotidal < 30


Variable Sheltered or moderately exposed


Partly permanently stratified Days to weeks





Countries sharing type that have been intercalibrated:

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

Description of sub common intercalibration types for Biological quality element Benthic Invertebrate Fauna:









Sub type




Characterisation




MS sharing sub-type





A


Lagoons


Ireland, Spain, United Kingdom




B


Freshwater-oligohaline, medium river flow


Ireland, Spain, United Kingdom




C


Mesotidal estuary with irregular river flow


Portugal, Spain




D


Large estuaries


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




E


Small-medium estuary with > 50 % intertidal area


Ireland, Germany, Spain, United Kingdom




F


Small-medium estuary with < 50 % intertidal area


Ireland, Portugal, Spain, United Kingdom











NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element:




Phytoplankton














Phytoplankton:




parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a)














Results:




Ecological quality ratios and parameter values





Parameter values are expressed in μg/l measured as the national chlorophyll-a metric calculated in a six year period. National metrics for France, Netherlands, Portugal and Spain typically use a measure of P90 Chl-a with salinity adjusted thresholds, Ireland uses a combination of P90 Chl-a and median values, and United Kingdom uses a metric based on a count of exceedances of certain statistical measures. In the case of UK, P90 values were calculated only for IC purposes.










Country




Ecological Quality Ratios




Values (μg/l)






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary




High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





France


0,67 


0,397 


5,33 


8,88 




Ireland


0,80 


0,60 


12,96 


25,96 




Netherlands


0,80 


0,60 


12,00 


18,00 




Portugal-North


0,667 


0,467 


10,000 


14,288 




Spain — Central Cantabrian and Galician estuaries — Mixing zone (*6)



0,67 


0,44 


8,00 


12,00 




Spain — Central Cantabrian and Galician estuaries — Euhaline (*6)



0,67 


0,33 


4,00 


8,00 




Spain — East Cantabrian estuaries — Euhaline (*6)



0,67 


0,33 


1,95 


3,90 




Spain — East Cantabrian estuaries — Polyhaline (*6)



0,67 


0,33 


3,30 


6,60 




Spain — East Cantabrian estuaries — Mesohaline (*6)



0,67 


0,33 


5,10 


10,20 




Spain — East Cantabrian estuaries — Oligohaline (*6)



0,67 


0,33 


6,60 


13,20 




Spain — Gulf of Cádiz estuaries — Mixing zone (*6)



0,67 


0,33 


3,75 


7,50 




Spain — Gulf of Cádiz estuaries — Euhaline (*6)



0,67 


0,33 


3,00 


6,00 




United Kingdom


0,80 


0,60 


10,00 


15,00 











NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element:




Macroalgae and Angiosperms






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Macroalgae






Intertidal blooming macroalgae soft bottom, indicative of abundance










Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





France


TWOGA — Macroalgal Bloom Assessment


0,80 


0,60 




Ireland


OGA Tool — Opportunistic Green Macroalgal Abundance


0,80 


0,60 




United Kingdom


OMBT- Opportunistic macroalgal blooming tool


0,80 


0,60 











NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element:




Macroalgae and Angiosperms






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Angiosperms






Seagrasses










Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Germany


SG-Assessment tool for intertidal seagrass in coastal and transitional waters


0,80 


0,60 




France


SBQ-Seagrass beds quality in coastal and transitional water bodies


0,80 


0,645 




Ireland


Intertidal Seagrass tool


0,80 


0,61 




Netherlands


SG- Monitoring beds of SG per waterbody using aerial photographs, ground truth and specifying surface & density per species


0,80 


0,60 




Portugal


SQI-Seagrass quality index


0,800 


0,600 




United Kingdom


Intertidal Seagrass tool


0,80 


0,61 











NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element:




Macroalgae and Angiosperms






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Angiosperms






Saltmarshes










Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Spain — Cantabria


AQI — Angiosperm Quality Index


0,88 


0,73 




Portugal


AQuA — Angiosperm Quality Assessment Index


0,800 


0,600 




United Kingdom


SM — UK Saltmarsh Tool


0,800 


0,600 











NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element:




Benthic invertebrate fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






Sub type D





Germany


M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index


0,850 


0,700 




Netherlands


BEQI2 — Benthic Ecosystem Quality Index 2


0,800 


0,600 




Spain


M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index


0,770 


0,530 




Portugal


BAT — Benthic Assessment Tool


0,838 


0,582 





Sub type E





Spain


M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index


0,770 


0,530 




Spain


QSB — Quality of Soft Bottoms


0,800 


0,600 





Sub type F





Spain


M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index


0,770 


0,530 




Portugal


BAT- Benthic Assessment Tool


0,806 


0,580 











NORTH EAST ATLANTIC GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element:




Fish fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated













Country


National classification systems intercalibrated


Ecological Quality Ratios




High-good boundary


Good-moderate boundary




Belgium


EBI — Zeeschelde Estuarine Biotic Index


0,850 


0,615 




France


ELFI — Estuarine and Lagoon Fish Index


0,910 


0,675 




Germany


FAT — TW — Fischbasiertes Bewertungswerkzeug für Übergangsgewässer der norddeutschen Ästuare


0,840 


0,620 




Ireland


TFCI — Transitional Fish Classification Index


0,810 


0,580 




Ireland


EMFI — Estuarine Multi-metric Fish Index


0,920 


0,650 




Netherlands


FAT — TW — WFD Fish index for transitional waters, type O2


0,800 


0,600 




Portugal


EFAI — Estuarine Fish Assessment Index


0,865 


0,700 




Spain


AFI — AZTI’s Fish Index


0,780 


0,550 




Spain


TFCI — Transitional Fish Classification Index


0,900 


0,650 




United Kingdom


TFCI — Transitional Fish Classification Index


0,810 


0,580 




United Kingdom


EMFI — Estuarine Multi-metric Fish Index


0,920 


0,650 











Water category




Transitional waters






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Mediterranean Sea






Description of types that have been intercalibrated









Common IC type




Type characteristics




MS sharing IC common type





CL-Oligohaline


Coastal lagoons (Salinity < 5 psu)


Spain, France, Italy




CL-Mesohaline chocked and restricted


Coastal lagoons (Salinity 5 — 18 psu)


Spain (*7), France (*7), Italy, Greece




CL-Polyhaline chocked and restricted


Coastal lagoons (Salinity 18 — 40 psu)


Spain (*7), France (*7), Italy, Greece




Hyperhalines (Salinity > 40 psu).


Hyperhalines (Salinity > 40 psu)


Spain




Estuaries


Estuaries (salt wedge type)


Spain, Croatia











MEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element:




Phytoplankton














Phytoplankton:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated














Country and type




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






Coastal lagoons Polyhaline chocked





France


PhIL — Phytoplankton index for Mediterranean polyhaline lagoons


0,710 


0,390 




Greece


MPI — Multimetric Phytoplankton Index


0,780 


0,510 




Italy


MPI — Multimetric Phytoplankton Index


0,780 


0,510 





Coastal lagoons Polyhaline restricted





France


PhIL — Phytoplankton index for Mediterranean polyhaline lagoons


0,710 


0,390 




Greece


MPI — Multimetric Phytoplankton Index


0,820 


0,540 




Italy


MPI — Multimetric Phytoplankton Index


0,820 


0,540 











MEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element:




Macroalgae and Angiosperms














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





France


Exclame


0,8 


0,6 




Greece


EEI-c — Ecological Evaluation Index


0,7 


0,4 




Italy


MaQI — Macrophyte Quality Index


0,8 


0,6 











MEDITERRANEAN SEA GEOGRAPHICAL INTERCALIBRATION GROUP RESULTS






Biological Quality Element:




Benthic invertebrate fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems intercalibrated














Country and Type




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






Coastal lagoons Polyhaline restricted





France


M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index


0,84 


0,63 




Italy


M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index


0,96 


0,71 




Greece


M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index


0,83 


0,62 





CL-Mesohaline chocked and restricted





Italy


M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index


—


0,71 




Greece


M-AMBI — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index


—


0,62 




-- PART 2 --







Water category




Rivers






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Cross-GIG River fish fauna












Biological Quality Element




Fish fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods






Mediterranean group










Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary





Italy


NISECI index (New Index of Ecological Status of Fish Communities)


0,80 


0,60 




Bulgaria


TsBRI (Type Specific Bulgarian Fish Index)


0,860 


0,650 











Water category




Rivers






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Cross-GIG Very Large Rivers












Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes and Phytobenthos






Sub-biological Quality Element




Phytobenthos














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods intercalibrated — Type R-L2














Country




National classification systems intercalibrated




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-Good boundary




Good-Moderate boundary





Belgium (Flanders)


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


0,80 


0,60 











Water category




Lakes






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Alpine lakes












Biological Quality Element




Benthic invertebrates fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods














Country




National classification systems




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Italy


BQIES (Benthic Quality Index Expected Species number)


0,88 


0,76 











Biological Quality Element




Fish fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods














Country




National classification systems




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





France


ELFI (European Lake Fish Index): Indice Ichtyofaune Lacustre (IIL)


0,73 


0,49 











Water category




Lakes






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Central-Baltic lakes












Biological Quality Element




Phytoplankton














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods














Country




National classification methods




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





France


Phytoplankton Index for Lakes (IPLAC): Indice Phytoplancton Lacustre


0,80 


0,60 











Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes and Phytobenthos






Sub-biological Quality Element




Macrophytes














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods














Country




National classification methods




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





France


French Macrophyte Index for Lakes (IBML): Indice Biologique Macrophytique en Lacs


0,80 


0,60 











Biological Quality Element




Fish fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods














Country




National classification methods




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Belgium (Flanders)


Fish-based index for lakes and reservoirs in Flanders (Belgium)


0,80 


0,60 











Water category




Lakes






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Mediterranean lakes












Biological Quality Element




Phytoplankton














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods














Country




National classification methods




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





France


Phytoplankton Index for Lakes (IPLAC): Indice Phytoplancton Lacustre


0,80 


0,60 




Greece


HeLPhy — Hellenic Lake Phytoplankton Assessment Method


0,80 


0,60 




Italy


Italian phytoplankton assessment method (IPAM)


0,80 


0,60 











Biological Quality Element




Macrophytes and Phytobenthos






Sub-biological Quality Element




Macrophytes














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods














Country




National classification methods




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





France


French Macrophyte Index for Lakes (IBML): Indice Biologique Macrophytique en Lacs


0,80 


0,60 




Greece


HeLM — Hellenic Lake Macrophytes Assessment Method


0,80 


0,60 




Italy


VLMMI — Volcanic Lakes Multimetric Macrophyte Index


0,70 


0,50 











Biological Quality Element




Benthic Invertebrate fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods














Country




National classification methods




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Greece


GLBiI — Greek Lake Benthic invertebrate Index


0,80 


0,60 




Italy


BQIES (Benthic Quality Index Expected Species number)


0,88 


0,76 











Biological Quality Element




Fish fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods














Country




National classification methods




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





France


ELFI (European Lake Fish Index): Indice Ichtyofaune Lacustre (IIL)


0,73 


0,49 




Greece


GLFI — Greek Lake Fish Index


0,80 


0,60 




Italy


Lake Fish Index (LFI)


0,82 


0,64 











Water category




Lakes






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Eastern Continental lakes












Biological Quality Element




Fish fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification methods














Country




National classification methods




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Bulgaria


Bulgarian fish based method for ecological classification and monitoring of lakes


0,76 


0,52 











Water category




Coastal waters






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Baltic Sea












Biological Quality Element




Phytoplankton














Phytoplankton:




parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a)














Results:




Ecological quality ratios and parameter values















Country and Type




Ecological Quality Ratios




Values (μg/l)






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary




High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






BC2 (including German national types B1, B2a, B2b)





Germany (B1)


0,91 


0,67 


9,30 


12,70 




Germany (B2a)


0,89 


0,67 


1,80 


2,40 




Germany (B2b)


0,93 


0,67 


1,40 


1,95 











Biological Quality Element




Macroalgae and Angiosperms














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems














Country and Type




National classification systems




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






BC2





Germany


PHYBIBCO — PHYtoBenthic Index for Baltic inner coastal waters


0,80 


0,60 





BC1





Finland


Fucus depth limit(macroalgae)


0,90 


0,74 




Sweden


MSMDI (macroalgae and angiosperms)


0,60 


0,40 





BC6





Denmark


Depth limit of eelgrass, Zostera marina (angiosperm)


0,90 


0,74 




Sweden


MSMDI(macroalgae and angiosperms)


0,60 


0,40 





BC7





Germany


Balcosis — Baltic ALgae COmmunity AnalySIs System(macroalgae and angiosperms)


0,80 


0,60 




Poland


MQAI — Macrophyte Quality Assessment Index


0,90 


0,70 





BC8





Germany


Balcosis — Baltic ALgae COmmunity AnalySIs System(macroalgae and angiosperms)


0,80 


0,60 













Results:




Ecological quality ratios and parameters values for parameter indicative of abundance (Depth limit of eelgrass Zostera marina (angiosperm)















Country and Type




Ecological Quality Ratios




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






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary




High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






BC8





Denmark
Open coast


0,90 


0,74 


8,5 


7











Biological Quality Element




Benthic Invertebrate fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems














Country and Type




National classification systems




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






BC2



 


 


 




Germany


MarBIT- Marine Biotic Index Tool


0,80 


0,60 





BC4



 


 


 




Estonia


ZKI — Estonian coastal water macrozoobenthos community index


0,39 


0,24 




Latvia


BQI — Benthic quality index


0,88 


0,75 











Water category




Coastal waters






Geographical Intercalibration Group




North East Atlantic












Biological Quality Element




Phytoplankton














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems














Country and Type




National classification systems




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






NEA 7





United Kingdom


Phytoplankton tool


0,80 


0,60 













Phytoplankton:




parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a)














Results:




Ecological quality ratios and parameter values





Parameter values are expressed in μg/l as the 90 %ile value calculated over the defined growing season in a six year period.










Country and Type




Ecological Quality Ratios




Values (μg/l)






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary




High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






NEA 1/26d





Denmark


0,66 


0,50 


3,00 


4,00 





NEA 5



 


 


 


 




Germany


0,67 


0,44 


5,00 


7,50 





NEA 7



 


 


 


 




Norway


0,67 


0,33 


2,50 


5,00 




United Kingdom (inshore/North Sea)


0,67 


0,33 


10,00 


15,00 




United Kingdom (Atlantic)


0,67 


0,33 


5,00 


10,00 











Biological Quality Element




Macroalgae and Angiosperms






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Macroalgae






Intertidal or subtidal macroalgae rocky bottom










Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems














Country and Type




National classification systems




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






Type NEA 5



 


 


 




Germany


HPI — Helgoland Phytobenthic Index


0,80 


0,60 











Biological Quality Element




Macroalgae and Angiosperms






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Macroalgae






Intertidal blooming macroalgae soft bottom, indicative of abundance










Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems














Country




National classification systems




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






NEA 3/4





Germany


OMAI — Opportunistic Macroalgae-cover/acreage on soft sediment intertidal in coastal waters


0,80 


0,60 











Biological Quality Element




Macroalgae and Angiosperms






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Angiosperms






Saltmarshes










Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems














Country




National classification systems




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Germany


EM — Assessment of saltmarsh vegetation in coastal and transitional waters


0,80 


0,60 




Ireland


SMAATIE — Saltmarsh Angiosperm Assessment Tool for Ireland


0,80 


0,60 




Netherlands


TSM — WFD-metrics for natural watertypes: tidal salt marsh


0,80 


0,60 




United Kingdom


SM — UK Saltmarsh Tool


0,80 


0,60 











Biological Quality Element




Macroalgae and Angiosperms














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems















Country and Type




National classification systems




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






Type NEA 8b





Sweden


MSMDI (macroalgae and angiosperms)


0,80 


0,60 




Denmark


Depth limit of eelgrass Zostera marina (angiosperm)


0,90 


0,74 











Biological Quality Element




Benthic Invertebrate fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems














Country and Type




National classification systems




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






Type NEA 1/26





Portugal


RAT — Rocky Shore Assessment Tool


0,800 


0,600 




Spain


BO2A — Benthic Opportunistic polychaetes/amphipods index


0,83 


0,50 





Type NEA 5*





Germany


MarBIT — Marine Biotic Index Tool


0,80 


0,60 











Water category




Coastal waters






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Mediterranean Sea












Biological Quality Element




Phytoplankton














Phytoplankton:




parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a)














Results:




Ecological quality ratios and parameter values





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.










Country and Type




Ecological Quality Ratios




Values (μg/l)






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary




High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






Type I





France


0,670 


0,330 


4,925 


10,000 




Italy


0,850 


0,620 


5,600 


14,100 





Type II A Tyrrhenian



 


 


 


 




Italy


0,84 


0,62 


1,17 


2,90 





Type III W Adriatic





Italy


 


 


 


1,7  (*8)






Type III W Tyrrhenian





Italy


 


 


 


1,17  (*8)












Biological Quality Element




Macroalgae and Angiosperms






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Angiosperms














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems














Country




National classification systems




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Greece


CymoSkew


0,75 


0,5 











Water category




Transitional waters






Geographical Intercalibration Group




North East Atlantic












Biological Quality Element




Phytoplankton














Phytoplankton:




parameter indicative of biomass parameter (Chlorophyll a)














Results:




Ecological quality ratios and parameter values





Parameter values are expressed in μg/l as the 90 %ile value calculated over the defined growing season










Country




Ecological Quality Ratios




Values (μg/l)






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary




High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Belgium


1,00 


0,60 


100


200











Biological Quality Element




Macroalgae and Angiosperms






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Angiosperms






Saltmarshes










Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems














Country




National classification systems




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Belgium


TMQI -Tidal Marsh Quality Index


0,85 


0,75 




Germany


EM — Assessment of saltmarsh vegetation in coastal and transitional waters


0,80 


0,60 




Ireland


SMAATIE — Saltmarsh Angiosperm Assessment Tool for Ireland


0,80 


0,60 




Netherlands


TSM — WFD-metrics for natural watertypes: tidal salt marsh


0,80 


0,60 











Biological Quality Element




Macroalgae and Angiosperms






Sub-Biological Quality Element




Angiosperms






Seagrasses










Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems














Country




National classification systems




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Spain — Cantabria


AQI — Angiosperms Quality Index


0,850 


0,700 











Biological Quality Element




Benthic Invertebrate fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems














Country and Type




National classification systems




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Belgium


BEQI — Benthic Ecosystem Quality Index


0,75 


0,5 





Sub type D





Germany


AeTV — Aestuar Type Verfahren


0,80 


0,60 




Ireland


IQI — Infaunal Quality Index


0,75 


0,64 




Spain


TasBEM — Taxonomically Sufficient Benthic Multimetric


0,79 


0,66 




United Kingdom


IQI — Infaunal Quality Index


0,75 


0,64 





Sub type E





Germany


AeTV — Aestuar Type Verfahren


0,80 


0,60 




Germany


M-AMBI -


0,85 


0,70 




Ireland


IQI — Infaunal Quality Index


0,75 


0,64 




Spain


TasBEM — Taxonomically Sufficient Benthic Multimetric


0,79 


0,66 




United Kingdom


IQI — Infaunal Quality Index


0,75 


0,64 





Sub type F





Ireland


IQI — Infaunal Quality Index


0,75 


0,64 




Spain


TasBEM — Taxonomically Sufficient Benthic Multimetric


0,79 


0,66 




United Kingdom


IQI — Infaunal Quality Index


0,75 


0,64 











Water category




Transitional waters






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Mediterranean Sea












Biological Quality Element




Phytoplankton














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems














Country and Type




National classification systems




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






Coastal lagoons oligohaline and mesohaline





Spain (Balearic Islands)


FITOHMIB


0,93 


0,73 





Estuaries





Spain (Southern Coast)


TWIf — Phytoplankton index for transitional waters


0,50 


0,36 




Croatia


MPI — Multimetric Phytoplankton Index


0,80 


0,60 











Biological Quality Element




Benthic invertebrate fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems














Country and Type




National classification systems




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary






Coastal lagoons Oligohaline, Mesohaline and Polyhaline





Spain (Balearic Islands)


INVHMIB


0,93 


0,73 





Coastal lagoons Oligohaline



 


 


 




Spain (Northeastern Coast)


QAELS


0,86 


0,58 





Coastal lagoons Mesohaline





Spain (Northeastern Coast)


QAELS


0,72 


0,62 





Estuaries





Spain (without salt wedge — Southern Coast)


BO2A


0,87 


0,45 




Spain (with salt wedge — Southern Coast)


BO2A


0,87 


0,52 











Biological Quality Element




Fish fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems














Country




National classification systems




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Italy


HFBI — Habitat Fish Bio-Indicator


0,94 


0,55 




Croatia


M-EFI — Modified Estuarine Fish Index


0,80 


0,60 











Water category




Transitional waters






Geographical Intercalibration Group




Black Sea












Biological Quality Element




Phytoplankton














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems














Country




National classification systems




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Romania


IBI — Integrated Biological Index


0,70 


0,42 











Biological Quality Element




Benthic invertebrate fauna














Results:




Ecological quality ratios of national classification systems














Country




National classification systems




Ecological Quality Ratios






High-good boundary




Good-moderate boundary





Romania


M-AMBI(n) — Multivariate AZTI’s Marine Biotic Index Normalized


0,90 


0,68 






(*1)  For the United Kingdom these results also apply to the common intercalibration types belonging to the Northern Geographical Intercalibration Group

(*2)  Will be used in England, Wales and Scotland

(*3)  High-Good boundary is not defined for reservoirs (both LM5/7 and LM8 types are reservoirs)

(*4)  Will be used in England, Wales and Scotland

(*5)  Will be used also in the UK (North Ireland)

(*6)  Salinity ranges stablished by the median (P50) salinity as follows: Euhaline [30,1-34,4] PSU; Polyhaline [18,1-30,0] PSU; Mesohaline [5,1-18,0] PSU; Oligohaline [0,5-5,0] PSU

(*7)  Spain and France do not consider distinction between restricted or chocked lagoons.

(*8)  The values are not national boundaries but threshold values