Filling the Gap between Ecosystem Services Concept and River Basin Management Plans: The Case of Greece in WFD 20+

Self Cite

The “One Out–All Out” (OOAO) principle imposed by the WFD selects the worst ecological status assessed by different biological quality elements (BQEs). Since it is a precautionary rule that can lead to problems of underestimation of the overall status, its amendment has been a matter of debate for WFD 20+. The use of fuzzy methods that express the functional relationships between variables in ecology and management has been gaining more ground recently. Here is attempted the inclusion of a fuzzy regression among the frequently monitored BQE (phytoplankton) and the outcome of OOAO application in six Greek lakes. The latter was determined by the comparison of four BQE indices in order to assess the extent to which BQEs might underpin the optimal/actual qualitative classification of a waterbody. This approach encompasses the uncertainty and the possibility to broaden the acceptable final EQR based on the character and status of each lake. We concluded that the fuzzy OOAO is an approach that seems to allow a better understanding of the WFD implementation and case-specific evaluation, including the uncertainty in classification as an asset. Moreover, it offers a deeper understanding through self-learning processes based on the existing datasets.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“One Out–All Out” Principle in the Water Framework Directive 2000—A New Approach with Fuzzy Method on an Example of Greek Lakes

Latinopoulos

Spiliotis

Ntislidou

et al. 2021

Self Cite

“…In addition, it seems that there is a significant underestimation of hydromorphological pressures and impacts on surface WBs [80]. In fact, if we compare the percentage of pressure types for surface waters between Greece and the European average in the updates of the Greek RBMPs, hydromorpgological pressures unrealistically comprise only 8% compared to a 34% European average, whereas hydromorphological impacts in the Greek RBMPs cover only 13% compared to a European average of 43% [42].…”

Section: Technical Issues and Proposalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Hydromorphological elements are not crucial for ES assessment, but are largely causing the failure to achieve good ES [81]. The underestimation of hydromorphological pressures in Greek RBMPs is reflected in the limited measures included in PoMs regarding restoration of hydromorphological alterations, which hinders the enhancement of ecosystem services [80]. Future PoMs should target, besides maintaining ecological flows and levels (by conducting site-specific studies), safeguarding site-specific habitat connectivity, mitigation of deltaic and coastal areas from erosion (due to sediment retention in reservoirs), restoring riparian vegetation, water courses (e.g., remeandering), floodplains and wetlands, constructing fish ladders and creating habitats for aquatic biodiversity conservation, etc.…”

Section: Technical Issues and Proposalsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of EU Environmental Policy Implementation on the Quality and Status of Greek Rivers

Skoulikidis

Karaouzas

Amaxidis

et al. 2021

Based on historical and WFD-compliant data, the recent inter-annual ecological status and the long-term chemical-physicochemical quality trends of eighteen characteristic Greek rivers have been assessed and interpreted in view of implementing EU environmental policies and the evolution of human pressures. Considering predominating poor ecological status in most of the river outflows, the strengths and weaknesses of the WFD implementation have been highlighted. The long-term decrease of ammonium and nitrite concentrations along with relatively low recent BOD5 levels, indicate a general improvement of WWTP infrastructure in Greece and the other riparian countries, whereas the improvement of nitrate quality is attributed to the reduction of fertilizers use, and possibly, to the successful application of the Nitrates Directive in certain basins. Despite capacity building in governance and administrative infrastructure the recent years, River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) are being implemented centrally, largely mechanistically, with minor public participation. Regarding WFD implementation weaknesses and gaps, concrete proposals have been formulated considering both policy/administrative and technical issues. To efficiently conserve and restore aquatic ecosystems, the forthcoming RBMPs should be consistent with ecosystem services principles focusing on nature-based solutions, along with changing attitudes of the state authorities and the public.

“…The first cycle of the River Basin Management Plans (RBMPs) (2009-2015) was drawn up by the Special Water Secretariat with important delays. The second one (1st Revision of the RBMPs) was published in 2017 [41], following the development of WFD compliant methodologies and an extensive consultation [42] along with a delay in adopting the proposed RBMPs [43]. It is worth noting that the progress in Europe was made without the contribution of Greece (Legal action for "non-communication") and that there was no data available in WISE for the 2nd RBMPs by 2018 [27].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Setting the Phosphorus Boundaries for Greek Natural Shallow and Deep Lakes for Water Framework Directive Compliance

Kagalou

Ntislidou

Latinopoulos

et al. 2021

Self Cite

Eutrophication caused by nutrient enrichment is a predominant stressor leading to lake degradation and, thus, the set-up of boundaries that support good ecological status, the Water Framework Directive’s main target, is a necessity. Greece is one of the Member States that have recorded delays in complying with the coherent management goals of European legislation. A wide range of different statistical approaches has been proposed in the Best Practice Guide for determining appropriate nutrient thresholds. To determine the nutrient thresholds supporting the good status of natural Greek lakes, the phytoplankton dataset gathered from the national monitoring programme (2015–2020) was used for shallow and deep natural lakes. The regression analyses were sufficient and robust in order to derive total phosphorus thresholds that ranged from 20 to 41 μg/L in shallow and 15–32 μg/L in deep natural lake types. Nutrient boundaries that encompass the stressors these lakes are subject to, are essential in proper lake management design.