Page 302 - Freshwater-Biology-and-Ecology-Handbook

CHAPTER 6 11 For one of the biological quality elements (benthic invertebrates in rivers), Figure 6.20 illustrates the

differences in ecological status according to Member States. In several Member States more than half of the
river water bodies have not been assessed for benthic invertebrates (see top panel). The rivers with the best
ecological status for benthic invertebrates are found in Romania, Finland, and the United Kingdom, while those
with the worst are found in the Netherlands, Germany, and Croatia (see bottom panel).
The WISE-Freshwater tool makes it possible to explore similar results for other quality elements and
categories. This EEA database can be accessed at https://www.eea.europa.eu/themes/water/european-
waters/water-quality-and-water-assessment/water-assessments/quality-elements-of-water-bodies

Figure 6.20
Benthic invertebrate status across EU Member States (from EEA report)

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