Research and analysis

The integration of macrophyte and phytobenthos surveys as a single biological quality element for the Water Framework Directive

This report describes changes to the diatom and macrophyte assessment methods used to classify macrophytes and phytobenthos for the Water Framework Directive.

• From: Environment Agency
• Published: 16 April 2013

Documents

The integration of macrophyte and phytobenthos surveys as a single biological quality element for the Water Framework Directive

Ref: LIT 8165

PDF, 1.45 MB, 28 pages

This file may not be suitable for users of assistive technology.

Request an accessible format.

If you use assistive technology (such as a screen reader) and need a version of this document in a more accessible format, please email [email protected]. Please tell us what format you need. It will help us if you say what assistive technology you use.

Details

This report describes changes to the diatom and macrophyte assessment methods used to classify macrophytes and phytobenthos for the Water Framework Directive (WFD). It also reviews the options for combining these metrics in a single biological quality element and provides evidence as to when each metric could be used in isolation to produce a reliable classification. Finally it describes a method of including bacterial tufts within the classification to meet the normative definition of the WFD and proposes an approach for the UK administrations to adopt.

Published 16 April 2013