Page 29 - Freshwater-Biology-and-Ecology-Handbook

The WFD introduces ecological objectives to the heart of Information to determine these pressures and risks is
water environmental protection. Biological indicators are a known as Characterisation in the WFD. The links between
major subset of those indicating ecological status. These Characterisation and Monitoring are shown in Figure 2.1
are designed to protect, and where necessary, restore the below.
structure and function of aquatic ecosystems, and thereby
safeguard the sustainable use of water resources. The Classification schemes are fundamental to the assessment
effectiveness of our water management strategies will be of compliance against objectives and are the primary driver
judged on ecological outcomes, based on these objectives. for water management and improvement. Accurate and
reproducible assessment against objectives becomes a
To achieve this, a clear view of the current status of aquatic critical issue as this drives investment and management
ecosystems is required, including a view on the pressures actions to protect and improve water resources.
and risks impacting each catchment. This requires Importantly, the WFD demands that status classifications
comprehensive and risk-based ecological monitoring are accompanied by measures of ‘confidence of class’. In
programmes: should, for example, the land use in the the UK this is commonly defined as 95% confidence that
catchment comprise largely of arable farming, the monitoring a designated water body is within its class. This requires
programmes would reflect this; they would be targeted information about the accuracy and the precision of the
towards nitrates, phosphates and possibly agricultural methods used for monitoring.
pesticides. In a catchment containing an industrial process,
manufacturing or storing pesticides or specific chemicals, The EU WFD introduces a formal river basin management
those chemicals would be identified as a risk and monitoring planning system which is the key mechanism for ensuring
would be put in place to ensure that there was minimum the integrated management of water resources. It is also the
detrimental impact on the water bodies. mechanism for achieving good ecological outcomes and for
driving improvements in the most effective way.

River Basin Planning Cycle Annex II
and V

Identify water bodies Characterise
at risk Identify
river basin pressures
districts
Assess
risk from
pressures
Characterisation

Set appropriate environmental
objectives and design measures
Develop
monitoring &
classification
systems
Monitor to Monitor
Implement programmes check risk to establish
of measures
assessments status
Monitoring
Monitor
to assess
effectiveness of
measures
Achieve objectives

Principal Annex II tasks Principal Annex V tasks

Figure 2.1
Relationship between river basin planning, characterisation and monitoring
Source - Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA), 2002, Future for Scotland’s Waters. (12)

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