Page 11 - Freshwater-Biology-and-Ecology-Handbook

Simon Johnson

Executive Director
Freshwater Biological Association

I am pleased to introduce this Freshwater Biology and This handbook is unique in bringing together the underlying
Ecology Handbook which closely aligns with our core principles of biological monitoring and assessment, allowing
aims and vision of advancing freshwater science and access to the underlying methodology and documents,
conservation action. and providing practical information for users. It has been
designed such that it can be read at different levels and
Freshwater Biological Association (FBA) is dedicated should be useful for a range of users including policymakers,
to understanding and protecting freshwaters across water managers, field biologists, volunteer organisations
the globe. Over the past 100 years FBA has contributed and interested individuals. It should allow those wishing
to the fundamental science behind current monitoring to protect water resources to set up biological monitoring
and assessment methods. FBA expertise, with partners, programmes in water catchments across the globe.
shaped the core monitoring and assessment methods in
use by the environment agencies in the UK, the European Field monitoring and practical research and development
Union and across the globe. We continue to work at is a fundamental part of our work at FBA. We continue to
the front line of aquatic biology, often with partners in develop training programmes and use our partnerships and
government, academia, environment agencies and the networks to encourage further protection and improvement
Rivers Trusts. This book has been produced in partnership of the water environment. We hope that the book will
with the Foundation for Water Research, and FBA Fellows provide the focus for university courses, in-house training
have contributed their expertise and considerable and knowledge exchange programmes, nationally and
knowledge to the book. internationally.

The EU Water Framework Directive establishes core We regard this as an open and live document. This initial
principles for the long-term management of the water publication focuses on invertebrate biological methods.
environment, with a focus on Good Ecological Status. There are other methods, including those using fish,
The UK, through its 25 Year Environment Plan, and macrophytes and algae, that in combination give a wider
the Environment Act 2021, has committed to take picture of aquatic health. We invite others to consider
forward and develop these key aims. The research and writing or contributing additional chapters.
development undertaken to implement the Directive
across Europe and the UK is a rich source of information, By making this freely available via our website, and in
bringing aquatic biology into the mainstream alongside partnership with FWR, we hope others can build and
the traditional water chemistry driven regulatory improve methods to suit aquatic habitats across the globe.
frameworks. The book provides a structured way of
gaining access to this extraordinary knowledge base. Open access to information will allow the partnerships
necessary to improve our rivers and lakes. There is no
This book brings together, in one place, the significant doubt that high biodiversity in healthy rivers and lakes
biological and ecological expertise and knowledge that is a key indicator of the sustainable water resource
has been developed in the UK and across Europe. Much management to which we must aspire.
of this information is contained in the ‘grey literature’ within
government reports, technical guidance documents and
operational instructions. It is difficult to find.
Simon Johnson – May 2022

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