What kind of water models are needed for the implementation of the European water framework directive? Examples from France

Abstract

2003) What kind of water models are needed for the implementation of the European water framework directive? ABSTRACTThe European Water Framework directive (WFD) promotes an integrated management approach, defines the river basin as the relevant management unit, and sets the objective of good ecological status for all waters in Europe before 2015. Based on research activities underway in France, this paper presents five examples of issues related to water modelling for the implementation of the WFD. The new concept of "good ecological status" calls for a necessary shift from a classical biogeochemical modelling to an ecological modelling, and for new kind of models which can describe the biological response of aquatic ecosystems to physical disturbance. The integrated management approach demands new kind of models, based on a more global approach, adapted to the scale of work and management to be done; this is illustrated with the rainfall-runoff models. In the field of hydraulics, the complexity is addressed through the creation of models, consisting of several modules, which are optimised as a function of the application desired. Finally, the need of tools in the process of allocating water resources among several actors in a river basin, as foreseen in the WFD, may be addressed by the use of multi-agent systems. All these examples show clearly that the hydrosystem complexity, the study of which requiring the use of physical, ecological, social and economic sciences, cannot be solved easily with a unique type of water modelling. Research is still needed to address this complexity, but also to provide in the same time tools and results for water managers.

A model selection protocol to support the use of models for water management

“…Models can provide: an insight into the way rivers and catchments function; a framework for data analysis; a means of investigating problems; and, perhaps most usefully in the context of this paper, a way of evaluating alternative management strategies (Van der Molen, 1999;Wasson et al, 2003;Moll and Radach, 2003). However, using a model to support a water management function is not straightforward.…”

Tools for Assessing Phosphorus Loss from Nordic Agriculture

“…The use of models as tools in the WFD context has been an issue of discussion and development as described e.g. by Wasson et al (2003) and Dørge and Windolf (2003). Moreover, Saloranta et al (2003) have suggested "benchmark criteria" against which the candidate models should be exposed to comprehensive testing in order to help water managers and other model users in choosing appropriate models for each WFD implementation purpose.…”

A Comparison of Modelling Systems for the Development and Revision of Water Resources Management Plans

“…Wasson et al (2003), Rekolainen et al (2003), andHeinz et al (2007) show that a set of different models pertaining to different areas of interest, such as the chemical or ecological status or the economy, is necessary for the successful implementation of the EU-WFD. These models, however, require reliable data for water quantities.…”