CIS workshop : assessment of the ecological status. CIS workshop – 11&12 June 2007 - Paris national classification systems for the assessment of ecological status of surface waters CIS workshop : assessment of the ecological status. 3 sessions : ecological significance and combination of the biological quality elements role and place of the physico-chemical elements effect of aggregation, uncertainty, confidence & precision 10 presentations : DGENV, Austria, Estonia, Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, UK, France 50 participants from 18 countries + EC http://circa.europa.eu/Public/irc/jrc/jrc_eewai/library?l=&vm=detailed&sb=T 11-12 June, Paris

CIS workshop : assessment of the ecological status. Main points (1) State of play : different approaches and methods within national classification systems selection of quality elements combination of the biological elements place of physico-chemistry aggregation of data (temporally, spatially…) CIS workshop : assessment of the ecological status. 11-12 June, Paris

CIS workshop : assessment of the ecological status. Main points (2) Illustrations taken from the various presentations : Selection of quality elements : all relevant biological elements listed in annex V a selection of elements (based on former risk analysis, expert judgment, available methods & data…) id. for physico-chemistry Combination of the biological quality elements : one out - all out principle other combinations (based on expert judgement, reliability of indexes and data…) Place and role of chemistry : physico-chemical boundary values set in accordance with the biological classification but some uncertainties remain : if chemistry does not match with biology, can we conclude that biology « overrides » chemistry ? CIS workshop : assessment of the ecological status. 11-12 June, Paris

CIS workshop : assessment of the ecological status. Main conclusion General principles set in the guidance ‘Overall approach to the classification of ecological status and potential’ are valid Differencies in implementing in practice the guidance Part of those differencies are coming from different levels of maturity Selection of QE can influence the results of the classification Need of appropriate explaination and communication of the results Despite the huge on-going work in the frame of IC, no final guarantee of « comparable levels of ambition » between MS CIS workshop : assessment of the ecological status. 11-12 June, Paris

CIS workshop : assessment of the ecological status. Proposed follow-up Need for common views about the classification of ecological status : complement to the guidance, elaborated in 2003, based on practical case-studies 3 directions proposed : How to ensure comparability between MS whereas different QE can be used for the classification ? How to manage risks of misclassification (combination of biological elements, checking procedure for chemistry) ? How to better communicate about the results of the final assessment ? Agreement of the Water Directors (Dresden, June 18-19) to carry out this work within activity 4 of ECOSTAT. CIS workshop : assessment of the ecological status. 11-12 June, Paris