Publication details
Type Specific and Multi-Metric Model for Evaluation of Ecological State of Surface Waters: Case Study of ARROW Project of WFD EU Implementation in the Czech Republic
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2007 |
| Type | Article in Proceedings |
| Conference | 6th International Symposium on Environmental Software Systems |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Ecology |
| Keywords | multimetric indices; WFD ES; biomonitoring; rivers; ecological status |
| Description | The project ARROW (Assessment and Reference Reports of Water monitoring - http://www.cba.muni.cz/arrow/eng) is focused on the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive in the monitoring of surface waters of the Czech Republic. The final evaluation of ecological state in this project is based on multi-metric model which combine results from indices evaluation of biological communities (type specific approach which is the main aim of this paper) and predictive modeling of biological communities composition. The computation of multi-metric model for evaluation of ecological state is based on definition of its modules for different stressors, i.e. it works with well validated environmental gradient comprising both reference and contaminated (standard) sites. The type specific modules are based on analysis of approximately 100 indices of biological communities where their ability for distinguishing between reference and contaminated sites, correlation with stressors of contaminated sites and predictability by abiotic characteristics of reference sites are the first filter for selection of appropriate indices. The second step provides selection of independent sets of indices, i.e. modules of final multi-metric measure of ecological state. The modules of final multi-metric index are computed for all reference sites and benchmark values for abiotic types of reference sites are computed. These benchmarks are used as expected good value of module in computation of ecological state for unknown site when the final evaluation of ecological state is based on one out all out principle, i.e. the module with the worst state influence the final evaluation of ecological state. The presented approach is compatible with the EU Water Framework Directive and is implemented in the national-wide information system supported with GIS-oriented analytic software. The presentation is documented by model outputs from more than 300 reference and more than 300 standard sites for benthic macroinvertebrates communities; the model for fishes, fytobenthos and macrophytes is under development. The project is supported by the Ministry of Environment of the Czech Republic (project ARROW) and by project INCHEMBIOL (MSM0021622412). |
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