1. of the Work Programme 17. March 2003
CIS Working Group 2A ECOSTAT Introduction
of the Work Programme 17. March 2003
WGL CIS 2A

2. Tasks of the ECOSTAT WG The project plan for working group 2A is to:
1. continue the intercalibration exercise
2. produce a guidance on ecological classification
3. produce a guidance on eutrophication
4. facilitate information exchange on relevant ecological issues

3. Task 2: Guidance on Ecological Status
The following work packages are proposed for discussion:
1. Development of an overall approach for the assessment of the ecological status
2. Identification of open questions and clarification of the legal basis
3. Development of a technical approach for com pliance checking of environmental quality objectives and monitoring requirements

4. Overall Approach (Task 2, Step 1): Classification of the Ecological Status
EQR=1
High status or reference conditions (RC)
Good status
Moderate status
Poor status
Bad status
No or very minor deviation from undisturbed conditions
Slight deviation from RC
Moderate deviation from RC
EQR=0
EQR =
Observed value
Reference value

5. Classify as high status
Do the estimated values for the biological quality elements meet reference conditions?
Yes
Do the physico-chemical conditions meet high status?
Do the hydro-morphological conditions meet high status?
Do the estimated values for the biological quality elements deviate only slightly from reference condition values?
Yes
Classify as good status
Do the physico-chemical conditions (a) ensure ecosystem functioning and (b) meet the EQSs for specific pollutants? No
Task 2, Step 1
Relative roles of biological and supporting quality elements in ecological status classification
Classify as moderate status
Classify on the basis of the biological deviation from reference conditions?
Is the deviation moderate?
Yes No
Classify as poor status
Is the deviation major?
Yes
Classify as bad status
Greater

6. Identification of Open Questions (Task 2, Step 2) – Clarification of the Legal Basis
The roles of physico-chemical elements in ecological status classification have to be clarified. Three options are proposed for discussion:
1. Elements are needed for establishing the reference conditions only  No need for classification !
2. Elements are needed (suggested) for establishing EQS for GES (on a mandatory or voluntary basis?)
3. Elements are needed for a full scale ecological classification
Alternatives 2 and 3 require a clarification in the context with the assessment of the biological elements !

7. Timetable
1st expert meeting on ecological classification (task 2) on 3rd June 2003 in Brussels
Kick off meeting of the ECOSTAT WG on 1st July in Brussels with main focus on ecological classification
2nd expert meeting on ecological classification (task 2) in September in Brussels back to back with:
1st expert meeting on eutrophication (task 3) in September in Brussels
2nd meeting of the ECOSTAT WG in October in Ispra with main focus on intercalibration and final agreement on guidance of ecological classification

8. Nominations should be delivered until 15th April to:
Join the expert meeting on ecological classification (task 2) on 3rd June in Brussels !!
Nominations should be delivered until 15th April to: