Division 1.2.3 Definitions for high, good and moderate ecological status in transitional waters

The composition and abundance of the phytoplanktonic taxa are consistent with 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 phytoplanktonic taxa.

There are slight changes in biomass compared to the type-specific conditions. 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.

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

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

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

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

The composition of macroalgal taxa is consistent with undisturbed conditions.

There are no detectable changes in macroalgal cover due to anthropogenic activities.

The composition of macroalgal taxa differs moderately from type-specific conditions and is significantly more distorted than at good quality.

Moderate changes in the average macroalgal abundance are evident and may be such as to result in an undesirable disturbance to the balance of organisms present in the water body.

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

There are no detectable changes in angiosperm abundance due to anthropogenic activities.

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

Angiosperm abundance shows slight signs of disturbance.

The composition of the angiosperm taxa differs moderately from the type-specific communities and is significantly more distorted than at good quality.

There are moderate distortions in the abundance of angiosperm taxa.

The level of diversity and abundance of invertebrate taxa is within the range normally associated with undisturbed conditions.

All the disturbance-sensitive taxa associated with undisturbed conditions are present.

The level of diversity and abundance of invertebrate taxa is slightly outside the range associated with the type-specific conditions.

Most of the sensitive taxa of the type-specific communities are present.

The level of diversity and abundance of invertebrate taxa is moderately outside the range associated with the type-specific conditions.

Taxa indicative of pollution are present.

Many of the sensitive taxa of the type-specific communities are absent.

Physico-chemical elements correspond totally or nearly totally to undisturbed conditions.

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

Temperature, oxygen balance and transparency do not show signs of anthropogenic disturbance and remain within the range normally associated with undisturbed conditions.

Temperature, oxygenation conditions and transparency do not reach levels outside the ranges 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.