Transitional and coastal waters ecological status assessment: advances and challenges resulting from implementing the European Water Framework Directive

摘要: The derivation, performance, sensitivity and inherent uncertainty of ecological quality indicators have become major topics in developing tools for the management marine, transitional coastal waters. In reviewing advances these waters, related to an status assessment, we show future challenges be addressed within European Water Framework Directive (WFD). Using new analyses carried out under research project ‘Water Bodies Europe: Integrative Systems Assess Ecological Recovery’, provide a complete set assessments biological elements (BQEs) (phytoplankton, macroalgae-seagrasses, macroinvertebrates fish) assessed, as well validation existing multimetric indices and, some cases, development assessment indices. We that respond differently different human pressures they each defining reference conditions against which changes are judged. investigating good potential, response heavily modified water bodies, there flaws Directive, not least its definitions. Our also focussed on using emphasise problems class boundaries based themselves may combined (multimetrics). analysis shows those multimetrics redundant and/or inter-correlated thus reduce boundaries. If this is drivers-pressures-state change-impacts-response approach then lessons measures aimed at achieving even potential legal decisions uncertain WFD. Hence, conclude continued need assessing gradients, state change, index development, impact BQE.