scholarly journals Strengths and Weaknesses of Different Italian Fish Indices under the Water Framework Directive Guidelines

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 1368
Author(s):  
Samuele Pagani ◽  
Andrea Voccia ◽  
Stefano Leonardi ◽  
Lorenzo Moschini ◽  
Pietro M. Rontani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Framework Directive ◽  
Fish Community ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
The Other ◽  
Algorithm Efficiency ◽  
Weak Points ◽  
Fish Monitoring ◽  
Fish Index

The ISECI (or F index) has been the first fish index to be recommended by the Italian Ministry of the Environment to assess the rivers ecological status with regard to fish communities, in accordance with the Water Framework Directive 2000/60 EC. In addition to ISECI, other fish indices have been developed such as the Forneris Ichthyic Index (I.I.) and a revised version of ISECI, the so-called NISECI. The latter is nowadays the reference Italian index in the framework of the Water Framework Directive. In this work, we analyzed 30 sampling sites along 18 watercourses in Northern Italy and computed the results of fish monitoring to evaluate the strength of ISECI and NISECI, as well as to assess weak points limiting their application. We detected several issues that undermine the ISECI effectiveness. The weakest point regarded the mismatch between the expected reference fish community and the sampled ones, which decreased the overall algorithm efficiency in the evaluation process. On the other hand, the results confirm the improvements introduced by NISECI. Although with some advancement, all three proposed indices revealed their weaknesses in the overall assessment of the ecological status of the water course, as also highlighted by a pioneering comparison with three expert-based blind judgements.

scholarly journals Integrating the Water Framework Directive into the Habitats Directive: analysis of distribution patterns of lacustrine EU habitats in lakes of Lombardy (northern Italy)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rossano Bolpagni ◽  
Mattia M. Azzella ◽  
Chiara Agostinelli ◽  
Andrea Beghi ◽  
Eugenia Bettoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Framework Directive ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Aquatic Habitats ◽  
Eutrophic Lakes ◽  
Natura 2000 Network ◽  
Use Of Resources

<p>The existence of strong potential synergies between the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Habitats Directive (HD) is widely acknowledged. Indeed, ensuring favourable conservation conditions for aquatic habitats and species of conservation concern is closely related to the achievement of a good ecological status in water bodies. However, since these two sets of European laws are generally applied without any coordination, an inefficient use of resources may adversely affect their goals. The main negative outcome is an increase in the cost of monitoring programs for collecting data in nature (<em>i.e.</em>, physical and chemical parameters, species and habitats, plant communities). The use of macrophytes as a bioindicator, as imposed by the WFD, may instead help to integrate data on aquatic EU habitats and enhance knowledge of such habitats outside the Natura 2000 network. The aim of present study was to evaluate the usefulness of data collected in WFD monitoring surveys as a means of inferring the occurrence and the distribution of lacustrine aquatic habitats in countries belonging to the European Union (EU). The main aim of the analysis was to identify the depth gradient distribution of diagnostic macrophyte <em>taxa</em> in two EU habitats (3140, <em>i.e.</em>, <em>Chara</em>-dominated benthic communities, and 3150, <em>i.e.</em>, natural eutrophic lakes) using data collected in lakes in Lombardy (northern Italy), some of which are included in the Natura 2000 network (10 out 16). While recognizing the limitations of the data collected within the two frameworks, the results confirmed the marked usefulness of WFD data as a means of enhancing the knowledge available on lacustrine aquatic habitats in the EU. WFD data can actively help to improve the basic information on aquatic habitats, thereby more effectively supporting regional strategies for biodiversity conservation as well as recovery programs.</p><p> </p>

scholarly journals Integrating the Water Framework Directive into the Habitats Directive: Analysis of distribution patterns of lacustrine EU habitats in lakes of Lombardy (northern Italy)

2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (s1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rossano Bolpagni ◽  
Mattia M. Azzella ◽  
Chiara Agostinelli ◽  
Andrea Beghi ◽  
Eugenia Bettoni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Framework Directive ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Natura 2000 ◽  
Northern Italy ◽  
Habitats Directive ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Aquatic Habitats ◽  
Eutrophic Lakes ◽  
Natura 2000 Network ◽  
Use Of Resources

The existence of strong potential synergies between the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Habitats Directive (HD) is widely acknowledged. Indeed, ensuring favourable conservation conditions for aquatic habitats and species of conservation concern is closely related to the achievement of a good ecological status in water bodies. However, since these two sets of European laws are generally applied without any coordination, an inefficient use of resources may adversely affect their goals. The main negative outcome is an increase in the cost of monitoring programs for collecting data in nature (i.e., physical and chemical parameters, species and habitats, plant communities). The use of macrophytes as a bioindicator, as imposed by the WFD, may instead help to integrate data on aquatic EU habitats and enhance knowledge of such habitats outside the Natura 2000 network. The aim of present study was to evaluate the usefulness of data collected in WFD monitoring surveys as a means of inferring the occurrence and the distribution of lacustrine aquatic habitats in countries belonging to the European Union (EU). The main aim of the analysis was to identify the depth gradient distribution of diagnostic macrophyte taxa in two EU habitats (3140, i.e., Chara-dominated benthic communities, and 3150, i.e., natural eutrophic lakes) using data collected in lakes in Lombardy (northern Italy), some of which are included in the Natura 2000 network (10 out 16). While recognizing the limitations of the data collected within the two frameworks, the results confirmed the marked usefulness of WFD data as a means of enhancing the knowledge available on lacustrine aquatic habitats in the EU. WFD data can actively help to improve the basic information on aquatic habitats, thereby more effectively supporting regional strategies for biodiversity conservation as well as recovery programs. 

scholarly journals The new EU water framework directive and participative evaluation processes: use of multicriteria tools in the evaluation of water management options in the Costa Del Sol (south Spain)

Geografie ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 109 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-169
Author(s):  
Pilar Paneque Salgado ◽  
Serafín Corral Quintana ◽  
Ângela Guimarăes Pereira ◽  
Leandro Del Moral Ituarte ◽  
Belén Pedregal Mateos
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Water Framework Directive ◽  
Water Policy ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Water Ecosystems ◽  
Management Alternatives

The European Union Water Framework Directive has become an engine of change in water policy, particularly in so far as it prioritises the rational use of water, restoration of the good ecological status of water ecosystems and public participation - diversity of perspectives and values - in decision-making, as a vital instrument to achieve these aims. This paper presents the results of the implementation of a participatory evaluation process to assess water management alternatives for the water supply in the Costa del Sol Occidental area in the province of Malaga. The techniques used in the process were multi-criteria evaluation and social research, with the involvement of the social actors identified in the analysis as a central tenet. It is maintained that by implementing participatory processes, it is possible to arrive at unconventional diagnoses, which can be developed into innovative water management alternatives, and that by taking into account all the values and interests at stake, it is possible to find solutions that overcome inertia, look beyond shortterm considerations and rationalize social conflicts and resistance.

scholarly journals Land-use and agriculture in Denmark around year 1900 and the quest for EU Water Framework Directive reference conditions in coastal waters

AMBIO ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bent T. Christensen ◽  
Birger F. Pedersen ◽  
Jørgen E. Olesen ◽  
Jørgen Eriksen
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Water Framework Directive ◽  
Coastal Waters ◽  
Root Zone ◽  
Reference Conditions ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Agricultural Activity ◽  
Eu Water Framework Directive ◽  
Alternative Approach ◽  
The Eu

AbstractThe EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) aims to protect the ecological status of coastal waters. To establish acceptable boundaries between good and moderate ecological status, the WFD calls for reference conditions practically undisturbed by human impact. For Denmark, the nitrogen (N) concentrations present around year 1900 have been suggested to represent reference conditions. As the N load of coastal waters relates closely to runoff from land, any reduction in load links to agricultural activity. We challenge the current use of historical N balances to establish WFD reference conditions and initiate an alternative approach based on parish-level land-use statistics collected 1896/1900 and N concentrations in root zone percolates from experiments with year 1900-relevant management. This approach may be more widely applicable for landscapes with detailed historic information on agricultural activity. Using this approach, we find an average N concentration in root zone percolates that is close to that of current agriculture. Thus, considering Danish coastal waters to be practically unaffected by human activity around year 1900 remains futile as 75% of the land area was subject to agricultural activity with a substantial potential for N loss to the environment. It appears unlikely that the ecological state of coastal waters around year 1900 may serve as WFD reference condition.

scholarly journals Monitoring Scotland’s transitional water fish communities under the EU Water Framework Directive

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 48-67
Author(s):  
M. O’Reilly ◽  
J. Boyle ◽  
S. Nowacki ◽  
M. Elliott ◽  
R. Foster
Keyword(s):  
Water Framework Directive ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Reference Conditions ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Fish Communities ◽  
High Status ◽  
Eu Water Framework Directive ◽  
Transitional Waters ◽  
Water Fish ◽  
The Eu

The history of monitoring transitional water fish in Scotland is briefly outlined. The requirements of the EU Water Framework Directive are explained and how this applies to the monitoring of transitional water fish communities in Scotland is described. The development of a monitoring programme for Scotland is outlined, including sampling methods and strategies. Six transitional waters were selected as representative for Scotland covering three different types of transitional water. A multi-metric tool, the Transitional Water Fish Classification Index was used to assess the ecological status of the fish communities in these waters and the operation of the different metrics and the creation of appropriate reference conditions is explained. The assessment tool was applied to survey data from 2005 to 2018, although only the more recent data fully met the tool requirements. The species composition and abundances in the respective transitional waters were compared. The fully valid surveys were all classed as of Good or High status, indicating the fish communities in all the representative transitional waters appeared to be in good ecological health. The efficacy of the different metrics is considered and some issues with Metric 2, enumerating migratory species, are discussed at length. A new multi-metric tool, the Estuarine Multi-metric Fish Index, is briefly discussed and its introduction for the assessments in Scotland is recommended.

scholarly journals Interaction between Hb Hasharon and alpha-thalassemia: an approach to the problem of the number of human alpha loci

Blood ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 339-346
Author(s):  
P Pich ◽  
G Saglio ◽  
C Camaschella ◽  
O David ◽  
MA Vasino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Northern Italy ◽  
The Other ◽  
Structural Genes ◽  
Delta Region ◽  
Alpha Thalassemia ◽  
Other Hand ◽  
Alpha Gene ◽  
Po Delta ◽  
Infant Girl ◽  
Biosynthetic Studies

We report the case of an Italian infant girl from Polesine (Po delta region in northern Italy) who was heterozygous for Hb Hasharon and alpha-thalassemia, did not synthesize any normal HbA, and had 3% HbH on electrophoresis. Hematologic and biosynthetic studies on Hb Hasharon carriers of the propositus' family suggest the possibility that the Hb Hasharon gene is linked to an alpha-thalassemia gene. On the other hand, in the Askenazy carriers of Hb Hasharon, Hb Harsharon is probably linked to a normal alpha gene. In comparing Hb Hasharon's behavior with that of other alpha variants, particularly HbG Philadelphia, frequent recombinations between alpha structural genes were suggested. The possible identity between the single alpha locus and the alpha2- thalassemia genotype is discussed.

scholarly journals Assessing pollution of aquatic environments with diatoms’ DNA metabarcoding: experience and developments from France water framework directive networks

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasselon Valentin ◽  
Rimet Frédéric ◽  
Domaizon Isabelle ◽  
Monnier Olivier ◽  
Reyjol Yorick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Water Framework Directive ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Aquatic Environments ◽  
Morphological Identification ◽  
The Past ◽  
Sequencing Technologies ◽  
Dna Metabarcoding ◽  
Morphological Approach ◽  
Status Assessment

Ecological status assessment of watercourses is based on the calculation of quality indices using pollution sensitivity of targeted biological groups, including diatoms. The determination and quantification of diatom species is generally based on microscopic morphological identification, which requires expertise and is time-consuming and costly. In Europe, this morphological approach is legally imposed by standards and regulatory decrees by the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Over the past decade, a DNA-based molecular biology approach has newly been developed to identify species based on genetic criteria rather than morphological ones (i.e. DNA metabarcoding). In combination with high throughput sequencing technologies, metabarcoding makes it possible both to identify all species present in an environmental sample and to process several hundred samples in parallel. This article presents the results of two recent studies carried out on the WFD networks of rivers of Mayotte (2013–2018) and metropolitan France (2016–2018). These studies aimed at testing the potential application of metabarcoding for biomonitoring in the context of the WFD. We discuss the various methodological developments and optimisations that have been made to make the taxonomic inventories of diatoms produced by metabarcoding more reliable, particularly in terms of species quantification. We present the results of the application of this DNA approach on more than 500 river sites, comparing them with those obtained using the standardised morphological method. Finally, we discuss the potential of metabarcoding for routine application, its limits of application and propose some recommendations for future implementation in WFD.

Hurdles for implementation of constructed wetlands as Nature-based Solutions in Sweden

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julián Andrés García Murcia ◽  
Fernando Jaramillo ◽  
Sofia Wikström
Keyword(s):  
Water Framework Directive ◽  
Constructed Wetlands ◽  
Ecological Status ◽  
Nutrient Loads ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Status ◽  
Natural Wetlands ◽  
The Baltic ◽  
Good Ecological Status ◽  
Background Context

&lt;p&gt;Eutrophication in the Baltic Sea has been one of the major environmental issues during the last century partly due to extensive land-use change, loss of natural retention systems, and insufficient management. European legislation such as the Water Framework Directive (WFD) attempts to guide the recovery of good ecological status from freshwater to the sea, and suggests wetlands as ecosystems that can potentially contribute to achieving this goal. Wetlands are considered remarkable Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for improving water quality by diminishing the nutrient loads. This study aims to set a background context of the WFD implementation in Sweden, determine the status of constructed wetlands, and evaluate the stakeholders&amp;#8217; perspectives to identify the main administrative hurdles of wetland implementation in Sweden. For this purpose, we conducted a narrative review, database analysis, and semi-structured interviews with members of the institutions involved in water management. Our results show that it is essential to find synergies among the WFD and other directives to expand cross-sectoral cooperation, implement adjustments on the funding scheme that includes restoration and maintenance of natural wetlands, and increase compensation periods and cost ceiling. Likewise, it is crucial to perform significant improvements in the monitoring system, including more frequent data collection, as well as exploring new strategies to capture landowners&amp;#8217; interest in the implementation of NbS, such as the Catchment Officers program. Finally, we suggest paludiculture as a promising farming practice to increase proprietors&amp;#8217; attention on novel market alternatives, and in turn, to provide benefits for climate, water, and biodiversity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Keywords &lt;/strong&gt;Wetlands management &amp;#183; Water Framework Directive &amp;#183; Nature-based Solutions &amp;#183; Eutrophication &amp;#183; Semi-structured interviews &amp;#183; Sweden&lt;/p&gt;

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