Division 1.2.2 Definitions for high, good and moderate ecological status in lakes

The taxonomic composition and abundance of phytoplankton correspond totally or nearly totally to undisturbed conditions.

The average phytoplankton biomass is consistent with the type-specific physico-chemical conditions and is not such as to significantly alter the type-specific transparency conditions.

Planktonic blooms occur at a frequency and intensity which is consistent with the type specific physico-chemical conditions.

There are slight changes in the composition and abundance of planktonic taxa compared to the type-specific communities. Such changes do not indicate any accelerated growth of algae resulting in undesirable disturbance to the balance of organisms present in the water body or to the physico-chemical quality of the water or sediment.

A slight increase in the frequency and intensity of the type specific planktonic blooms may occur.

The composition and abundance of planktonic taxa differ moderately from the type-specific communities.

Biomass is moderately disturbed and may be such as to produce a significant undesirable disturbance in the condition of other biological quality elements and the physico-chemical quality of the water or sediment.

A moderate increase in the frequency and intensity of planktonic blooms may occur. Persistent blooms may occur during summer months.

The taxonomic composition corresponds totally or nearly totally to undisturbed conditions.

There are no detectable changes in the average macrophytic and the average phytobenthic abundance.

There are slight changes in the composition and abundance of macrophytic and phytobenthic taxa compared to the type-specific communities. Such changes do not indicate any accelerated growth of phytobenthos or higher forms of plant life resulting in undesirable disturbance to the balance of organisms present in the water body or to the physico-chemical quality of the water.

The phytobenthic community is not adversely affected by bacterial tufts and coats present due to anthropogenic activity.

The composition of macrophytic and phytobenthic taxa differ moderately from the type-specific communities and are significantly more distorted than those observed at good quality.

Moderate changes in the average macrophytic and the average phytobenthic abundance are evident.

The phytobenthic community may be interfered with, and, in some areas, displaced by bacterial tufts and coats present as a result of anthropogenic activities.

The taxonomic composition and abundance correspond totally or nearly totally to the undisturbed conditions.

The ratio of disturbance sensitive taxa to insensitive taxa shows no signs of alteration from undisturbed levels.

The level of diversity of invertebrate taxa shows no sign of alteration from undisturbed levels.

There are slight changes in the composition and abundance of invertebrate taxa compared to the type-specific communities.

The ratio of disturbance sensitive taxa to insensitive taxa shows slight signs of alteration from type-specific levels.

The level of diversity of invertebrate taxa shows slight signs of alteration from type-specific levels.

The composition and abundance of invertebrate taxa differ moderately from the type-specific conditions.

Major taxonomic groups of the type-specific community are absent.

The ratio of disturbance sensitive to insensitive taxa, and the level of diversity, are substantially lower than the type-specific level and significantly lower than for good status.

Species composition and abundance correspond totally or nearly totally to undisturbed conditions.

All the type-specific sensitive species are present.

The age structures of the fish communities show little sign of anthropogenic disturbance and are not indicative of a failure in the reproduction or development of a particular species.

There are slight changes in species composition and abundance from the type-specific communities attributable to anthropogenic impacts on physico-chemical or hydromorphological quality elements.

The age structures of the fish communities show signs of disturbance attributable to anthropogenic impacts on physico-chemical or hydromorphological quality elements, and, in a few instances, are indicative of a failure in the reproduction or development of a particular species, to the extent that some age classes may be missing.

The composition and abundance of fish species differ moderately from the type-specific communities attributable to anthropogenic impacts on physico-chemical or hydromorphological quality elements.

The age structure of the fish communities shows major signs of disturbance, attributable to anthropogenic impacts on physico-chemical or hydromorphological quality elements, to the extent that a moderate proportion of the type specific species are absent or of very low abundance.

The values of physico-chemical elements correspond totally or nearly totally to undisturbed conditions.

Nutrient concentrations remain within the range normally associated with undisturbed conditions.

Levels of salinity, pH, oxygen balance, acid neutralising capacity, transparency and temperature do not show signs of anthropogenic disturbance and remain within the range normally associated with undisturbed conditions.

Temperature, oxygen balance, pH, acid neutralising capacity, transparency and salinity do not reach levels outside the range established so as to ensure the functioning of the ecosystem and the achievement of the values specified above for the biological quality elements.

Nutrient concentrations do not exceed the levels established so as to ensure the functioning of the ecosystem and the achievement of the values specified above for the biological quality elements.