1. Ecostat Discussion Paper on Ecological Status Classification and Eutrophication

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

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

4. Key Principles

5. 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)

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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)

14. 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’

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

16. 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

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

18. 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 +

19. 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