BQE

Biological Quality Elements (BQE)

General description

For the implementation of the Water Framework Directive, the assessment of ecological status of water bodies is based on biological indicators from several groups of organisms known as biological quality elements (BQE). Four inland surface waters these are:

• Phytoplankton

Particular description

• Macrophytes and phytobenthos

Particular description

• Benthic Invertebrates

Particular description

• Fish

Particular description <p>The indicators may be related to the composition, abundance and diversity of species, as well as presence/absence of some disturbance-sensitive species.

The evaluation of the status of the water bodies may be complemented with hydromorphological (HYMO)quality elements and/or physicochemical quality elements.<p/>