Deliverable 2.16. Guidelines on ecological thresholds for temperature, low flows, and nutrients in European rivers

Karosas, Alexandra; Edwards, Francois K.. 2014 Deliverable 2.16. Guidelines on ecological thresholds for temperature, low flows, and nutrients in European rivers. Wallingford, NERC/Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, 23pp. (CEH Project no. C04223) (Unpublished)

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Abstract/Summary

The European Water Framework Directive (WFD) lists nutrient conditions, thermal conditions, and quantity and dynamics of flow as required quality elements for measuring ecological status in rivers. This document provides guidelines on developing upper and lower boundaries of GES thresholds for these three elements, but does not set out fixed thresholds to follow, as each member state differs by climatic and geographic features, and there are no universal standards that can be applied to all rivers across Europe. We report on information received from 18 out of 28 Member States, that revealed missing established thresholds, as well as a lack of consistent measurement. Separate typologies may need to be developed for each quality element according to the relationship between river typology and the characteristics of the element. A flexible system of nutrient monitoring and thresholds is needed, such as the method for phosphorus monitoring developed by UKTAG that uses site-specific values of alkalinity and altitude. Many Member States currently use the standards set out for rivers in the Nitrates Directive as a default for nitrate monitoring. However, the values set out in the Nitrates Directive may not be suitable for every river basin to achieve GES and Member States must work to develop thresholds that will allow them to meet the goals of the WFD. Co-limitation of nitrogen and phosphorus is an important process to consider when developing management plans. Relevant temperature thresholds and monitoring systems for rivers must go beyond static values applied to all rivers and specific to only one taxon (fish), and move towards more dynamic approaches such as using species sensitivity distribution curves. The development of environmental flow standards has been largely overlooked thus far and almost no Member States have set these thresholds. Incorporating methods such as look-up tables and functional analysis approaches like the building block method are currently the most promising methods for developing dynamic and effective flow standards for EU rivers.

Item Type:	Publication - Report
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Acreman
Funders/Sponsors:	European Commission
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	REFRESH Deliverable 2.16
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment
Related URLs:	Project Website
Date made live:	21 Jan 2015 13:02 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/505490

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