Ecostat Discussion Paper on Ecological Status Classification and Eutrophication

The normal balance of ingredients N & P CO2 Organic C Oxygen deficit

Effects of nutrient enrichment N & P N & P CO2 Organic C Organic C Oxygen deficit Oxygen deficit

Key Principles

Table 1: Biological quality elements likely to be among the most sensitive to nutrient enrichment Rivers Lakes Transitional Waters Coastal Waters Phytoplankton Phytobenthos Macroalgae Macrophytes may be most sensitive in some specific circumstances (e.g. shallow lakes with very abundant macrophyte communities)

If reliably monitoring the most sensitive quality elements is not practicable, monitoring for other quality elements may be needed to help make assessments e.g. In some coastal waters obtaining sufficient measurements of phytoplankton may be impracticable. Indicators of secondary effects on benthic invertebrates may help in making assessments

Intercalibration type Relevant sub-types may be identified when establishing type-specific reference conditions for indicator parameters Intercalibration type National type 1 National type 2 National type 3 Sub-type A Site specific

The type-specific conditions are equivalent for rivers, lakes, transitional waters and coastal waters ECOLOGICAL STATUS HIGH GOOD MODERATE POOR BAD NO SIGNIFICANT undesirable disturbance Slight changes in biomass SIGNIFICANT disturbance MAY be present Moderate changes in biomass

Table 2: Significant undesirable disturbances that may result from accelerated growth of phytoplankton, macroalgae or phytobenthos Causes the condition of other elements of aquatic flora in the ecosystem to be moderate or worse Causes the condition of benthic invertebrate fauna to be moderate or worse Causes the condition of fish fauna to be moderate or worse Compromises the achievement of the objectives of a Protected Area for economically significant species Compromises the achievement of objectives for a Natura Protected Area Compromises the achievement of objectives for a Drinking Water Protected Area Causes a change that is harmful to human health (e.g. shellfish poisoning) Causes a significant impairment of, or interference with, amenities and other legitimate uses of the environment Causes significant damage to material property

Status classes with which conditions are consistent Nutrient enrichment Very minor Biomass resulting from accelerated algal growth Moderately increased compared to reference conditions Slightly increased compared to reference conditions Major increase compared to reference conditions Probability of significant undesirable disturbances being present Status classes with which conditions are consistent Severity and extent of undesirable disturbance GOOD 0 % 100 % Severe disturbances likely MODERATE POOR

Status classes with which conditions are consistent Gradient of nutrient enrichment Biomass resulting from accelerated algal growth Probability of significant undesirable disturbances being present Status classes with which conditions are consistent Taxonomic composition Biomass naturally very low at high status GOOD Composition moderately different from reference conditions MODERATE 0 % 100 % POOR

Examples of ecologically significant changes in the composition of aquatic flora An entire functional group of taxa, or a keystone taxon, normally present at reference conditions is absent A nutrient-tolerant functional group of taxa not present under reference conditions is no longer rare A substantial change in the balance of functional groups of taxa has occurred A group of taxa, or a taxon, of significant conservation importance normally present at reference conditions is missing

Nitrates Directive or the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive ‘Eutrophic’ if undesirable disturbances resulting from the accelerated growth of algae are present Action required under these Directives is the same ‘May become eutrophic’ in the near future’ if such undesirable disturbances are anticipated (e.g. primary effects are present)

Avoid deterioration in status in accordance with WFD UWWT Directive Sensitive area designation tests Ecological status classes HIGH GOOD MODERATE POOR BAD Avoid deterioration in status in accordance with WFD Waters ‘may become ‘eutrophic in the near future’ Gradient of nutrient enrichment Appropriate sensitive area identified under UWWT Directive Waters ‘eutrophic’ Waters ‘eutrophic’

Those nutrient sensitive areas and vulnerable zones identified because waters ‘may become eutrophic in the near future’ would contain water bodies at moderate status

Measures under UWWT Directive Other measures under Article 11 of WFD Ecological status classes HIGH GOOD MODERATE POOR BAD Measures under UWWT Directive Other measures under Article 11 of WFD

Ecological status classes OSPAR areas HIGH GOOD MODERATE POOR BAD Non-problem Areas Gradient of nutrient enrichment Problem Areas

Water bodies not at risk WFD Pressures & Impacts Analysis Categories OSPAR Categories Water bodies not at risk Problem Areas OSPAR Potential Problem Areas Water bodies at risk from nutrient enrichment +

Working Group 2.A members to send written comments on the discussion paper by 31st July Working Group 2.A leaders to present revised version of the paper to the Eutrophication Steering Group for further discussions