The NERC and CEH trade marks and logos ('the Trademarks') are registered trademarks of NERC in the UK and other countries, and may not be used without the prior written consent of the Trademark owner.

No abstract

fellettiD fF nd qri de venizD gF nd tonesD tF nd fizziD F nd f¤ orgerD vF nd egurD qF nd gstellettiD eF nd n de fundD F nd erestrupD uF nd frryD tF nd felkD uF nd ferkhuysenD eF nd firnieEquvinD uF nd fussettiniD wF nd grolliD wF nd gonsuegrD F nd hopioD iF nd peierfeilD F nd pern¡ ndezD F nd pernndez qrridoD F nd qriEzquezD iF nd qrridoD F nd qinnioD qF nd qoughD F nd tepsenD xF nd tonesD FiF nd uempD F nd uerrD tF nd uingD tF nd Lpi¡ nskD wF nd v¡ zroD qF nd vusD wFgF nd wrelloD vF nd wrtinD F nd wqinnityD F nd y9rnleyD tF nd ylivo del emoD F nd rsiewizD F nd inonD qF nd odriguezD gF nd oyteD tF nd hneiderD gFF nd ummersD tFF nd llesiD F nd owlesD eFF nd erspoorD iF nd nningenD rF nd ntzenD uFwF nd ildmnD vF nd lewskiD wF @PHPHA 9wore thn one million rriers frgment iurope9s riversF9D xtureFD SVV F ppF RQTERRIF Further information on publisher's website: httpsXGGdoiForgGIHFIHQVGsRISVTEHPHEQHHSEP Publisher's copyright statement:Additional information: Use policyThe full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-prot purposes provided that:• a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in DRO • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders.

No abstract

ABSTRACT1. The European Water Framework Directive requires the determination of ecological status in European fresh and saline waters. This is to be through the establishment of a typology of surface water bodies, the determination of reference (high status) conditions in each element (ecotype) of the typology and of lower grades of status (good, moderate, poor and bad) for each ecotype. It then requires classification of the status of the water bodies and their restoration to at least 'good status' in a specified period.2. Though there are many methods for assessing water quality, none has the scope of that defined in the Directive. The provisions of the Directive require a wide range of variables to be measured and give only general guidance as to how systems of classification should be established. This raises issues of comparability across States and of the costs of making the determinations.3. Using expert workshops and subsequent field testing, a practicable pan-European typology and classification system has been developed for shallow lakes, which can easily be extended to all lakes. It is parsimonious in its choice of determinands, but based on current limnological understanding and therefore as cost-effective as possible.4. A core typology is described, which can be expanded easily in particular States to meet local conditions. The core includes 48 ecotypes across the entire European climate gradient and incorporates climate, lake area, geology of the catchment and conductivity.5. The classification system is founded on a liberal interpretation of Annexes in the Directive and uses variables that are inexpensive to measure and ecologically relevant. The need for taxonomic expertise is minimized.6. The scheme has been through eight iterations, two of which were tested in the field on tranches of 66 lakes. The final version, Version 8, is offered for operational testing and further refinement by statutory authorities.