European methods for WFD

European methods for WFD

Type

Hydromorphological assessment methods

Summary

In this section we overview the assessment methods which are commonly used and/or have been formally approved for the implementation of the WFD in each EU country. We reviewed 21 methods in total. Given that parts of these methods are only published in the national language, this review is mainly limited to those methods for which some information in English was available (papers, English summaries, etc.).

File:EUmethodsSum.png

Figure 1. Sum of analyzed methods (i.e. implemented by EU coutries for the WFD) for each of the 5 categories of assessment methods. (*) The hydrological regime alteration assessment is provided only by the IARI (Italy), which deeply differs from others categories of assessment methods.

The main gap in methods implemented by EU countries for the WFD is the lack of consideration of physical processes (i.e. cause-effect of alterations), when physical habitat assessment is used alone. The 5 identified categories of methods need to be considered as part of an overall hydromorphological assessment.

Rivertypes

• Catchment
•    Catchment
• Segment
•    Segment
• Reach
•    Reach
• Geomorphic unit
•    Geomorphic unit
• Hydraulic unit
•    Hydraulic unit

Related Pressures

• Surface water abstraction
• Groundwater abstractions
• Hydropeaking
• Hydrological regime modification
• Discharge diversions and returns
• Artificial barriers downstream from the site
• Artificial barriers upstream from the site
• Alteration of instream habitat
• Sand and gravel extraction
• Sedimentation and sediment input
• Embankments, levees or dikes
• Loss of vertical connectivity
• Impoundment
• Alteration of riparian vegetation
• Channelisation / cross section alteration
• Other pressures

Related Measures

No measures apply to this tool.

Related Hymo quality elements

• Quantity and dynamics of water flow (Class: Hydrological regime)
• Connection to groundwater bodies (Class: Hydrological regime)
• River continuity (Class: River continuity)
• River depth and width variation (Class: Morphological conditions)
• Structure and substrate of the river bed (Class: Morphological conditions)
• Structure of the riparian zone (Class: Morphological conditions)
• Structure of the floodplain (Class: Morphological conditions)

Related Biological quality elements

No Biological Quality Elements apply to this tool.

Related Ecosystem goods and services

No Ecosystem goods and services apply to this tool.